TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2175, 17 June 1886, Page 3

TE AROHA.

[FROM OUR OWN CORKKSFoXnENT.I Te Aroha. Wednesday. There has been inncli excitement heio concerning the Rotorua catastrophe, and it has been the nil engro-sing subject of thought and convocation during the clay. It was not until 10 a.ni. that tho first tidings of the diro event were received, and then only in a very brief form. A* the day advanced and fuller particulars came to hand, people began to realise the nature of the calamity which ha* wrought so much pain and deflation, and the utmost sympathy is felt for tho.se who ha\e been dm en fiom their homes. The noises canard by tlio eruption wore distinctly audible here at intervals during the early morning, and sounded like hca\y artillery being hred at a distance. Poisons lying awake also felt a tremuous motion in their houses, and a few who rose from their beds saw vivid and almost continuous flashes of lightning in the south-eabt, but no one dreamt of the fearful calamity that was then taking place. The particulars received up to the time of closing the telegraph office are still very brief, and fuller information is anxiously waited for. The stir created in other parts of tho colony by the gold discoveries at Kimberley has not yet extended to this locality. Perhaps this is owing to the fact that there are very few people here out of employment, but apart from that the general opinion among tho miners sepms to be against rushing there at present. Thero &r6 amongst them a number who have had txperience of the climate of Northern Australia, and well know the hard-hips that have there to be endured. Nothing but the news of a rich and extensive goldfield could attract them thither and whatever may be known of the extent of the Kimberley fields their richness has in a great measure yet to be proved. If the place is worth going to at all it ought not to be quickly worked out and many old diggers are of opinion that it will be wise to wait few months for its fuller develop, ment before seeking life in a country where from all that is yet known there is a strong probability of losing both. A communication has been received from Mr J. B. Whyte M.H.R., by the chairman of the Improvements Committee with refrence to the matters discussed at the meeting of miners held hero a month month ago. Mr Whyte promises to give them his careful attention and states that ■everal of the reforms proponed at the meoting have been effected by the new Mining Act,"which is now, or will shortly be, before the House. The usual sitting of the R.M. Court was held on Tuesday, Mr H. Kenrick presiding, but the business was very light. The following cases were heard: — Civil: H. Benbjige v J. Collins, judgment summons, £o 13s. Order made for payment within one week with costs 30s, alternative 14 days imprisonment. — I. Bates vJ. Moffat, claim £(> 6d for work done and goods supplied. Judgment for amount with costs 13s. — Police cases : G. R. Rogers v. T. Enfield, sunfmons for assault. From the evidence j?iven it was hard to decide whether the plaintiff or the defendant was the aggressor, and the case was accordingly dismissed. — Wtn. Lincoln, charged by Constable White with drunkenness, was fined 5s with costs. A prohibition order against this unfortunate individual had only recently expired, and this was the second offence that had since been laid to his chargo, He seemed to think it very hard that a poor man should be robbed of his beer so long as he could pay bis way, but the Bench turned a deaf ear to his protest, and another order was issued debarring all licensed persons within the Aroha and W»ito» districts from supplying 1 him with liquor for a further period of twelvo months. The jealousies that once existed between the two townships have now almost disappeared, and at Waiorongomni no less than at Te Aroha the urgent need is felt, for a speedy deliverance from the thraldom under which both places now languish. Joint action is likely to be taken in the matter, and the townships, together with the extensive district which the boundaries will probably embrace, should form a. municipality sufficiently strong to carry out whatever works may be required for the advancement of the now borough. The ground these last few mornings has worn a thick covering of hard frost, giving •harply felt proof that winter is now fail ly upon us. Seasonable amusements are again being indulged in, and the rinkers are about to re-iime hkating exercise in the hall> Our footballers have not yet shown much sign of life, but they only want lousing into action, and a challenge from any of their old antagonists will doubtless have the effect of bringing them out ready to fight their battles o'er again.