TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDEMT. ] Te Aroha, friday.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2126, 23 February 1886, Page 2

TE AROHA. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDEMT. ] Te Aroha, friday.

The installation of officers of Lodge Te Aroba GD7, fc>.o., took place last night in the lodge-room and drew together a strong muster of the brotherhood to tako part in the interesting and time-honoured ceremony. The following are the officers for the ensuing year :— R.W.M., Bro. Geo. Wilson ; Depute Master, Bn». J. La very ; Substitute Master, Bro. J. Erasmus ; S. W., Bro. Jno. Farrell ; .T.W., Bro. H. Crump; Treasurer, Bro. J. Warren ; Secretary, Bro. James; S.D., Bro. A. James; J.D., Bro. Jno. Onrnes ; J.G,, Bro. J. Moffat ; Architect, Bro. G. Ahier. After the installation ceremony, which was most impressively conducted by P.M. Bvo. Pavitt, the brethern adjourn! fi>r refreshments to the hostelry of Bro. Hay wood, where a few hours were spent in pleasant social intercourse. Fiom th» interest taken in the proceedings by the whole of the members present, and the general wish expressed for tho welfare of the Lodcre, there is e\e.ry likelihood that the year just entered upon will be a satisfactory one to those who desire to see Masonry prosper here. The annual meeting of shareholders in tho Public Hall, was held in the building on Wednesday e\cniug, and was presided over by Mr D. J. Frazer, chairman of directors. After the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, the balnnee-sheet for the past year was read, and showed the financial affairs of the company to be in a tolerably sound state. The debt on the building had been reduced during the year by £40, a reduction which, considering the dullness that had for a-tirne prevailed, could not be otherwise than satisfactory to the shareholders. . On the suggestion of the directors it was resolved to raise by mortgago a sum of about t'IGO to pay n hat is .still due to the Thames Building Society, and to clear off a few other small liabilities The retiring directors, Messrs F razor, Hetherington, Allan, Hotchiu, imd Heathcote, were proposed for re-election, and were again appointed. An entertainment in aid of the funds of th« Bmd of Hope tva=» given in the Public Hall, on Tnosday evening, and drew togother a crowded house. There was a strong muster of local talent, and some of the young folks belonging to the organisation displayed a considerable amount of musical ability. Although no charge was mHe for admission there was a collection to defray expenses and otherwise help the cause, but the sum contributed was not by any means so large as it ought to have been from such an audience, ana taking into account the object for which the ' entertainment was got up. Tlie "Fighting Fortune" musical and dramatic company performed in the hall last night, but their appearance did not attract a large house, probably owing to the comparatively short notice given of the performance. The usual sitting of the R.M. Court was | held on Tuesday, but the business was of no importance, there being only one small debt case in which a Maori had judgment recorded against him for £2 Is 4d, Monday.

A number of township allotments forming part of the (state of Mr H. E. Campbell, solicitoi 1 , formerly of this place, were offered at auctiou on Saturday by Mr James Craig, who had received instructions from the trustees to dispose of them without reserve. There was not a largn attendance of buyers, and the bidding was by no means brisk. Only four of the allotments were sold, and all of these were situated in block five. Section 9, on which stands the house formerly occupied as an office by Mr Campbell, and the adjoining building at present used for the Public Library, was knocked down to Mrs Outhwaite for £70. Section 10, with a two-roomed cottage, was bought by Mr Geo. Robson for £17. Section 15, also with a two-roomed cottage, fell to Mr K. Fulton for £13 ; and section 10, with three-roomed house, to, Mr James WiBoman for £31. All of the allotments areheld under the goldfields regulations, and are subject to an annual rent of £5, but in the properties disposed of the rent' for the cucrent year had been paid by the vendors. It is probable that if the sale had not taken place'uritil two or three months later, li'inch , better prices would have been realised, for it is likely that some change in the lease will be effected during that time, and with greater fixity of tenure, the value of all township properties will be largely increased. Heavy rain fell here on Friday and Saturday, and the river and creeks are higher than they hm'e been for mouths. There is an abundant supply of water at the battery, and all the stampers »re now going full speed. Operations, so long suspended by tha claim*, will be rammed forthwith, much to the. satisfaction of the minem, whose lengthened spell of enforced )dlpne.«9 was. taginnjng to make itself