TE AROHA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2566, 20 December 1888, Page 2

TE AROHA.

Resident Magistrate's Ooubt.—BeforeMr H. \V. Nortlieroft R.M. Frederick Strango, charged with riding upon the footpath. pleaded guilly, and was discharged with a caution. Percy Johnson, charged with riding upon the footpath, and furiously tiding through Whitaker-street,pleaded not guilty. The case was dismissed without the defence being called on. Mrs Biothers v. Harriet Voisley. Mr Hay appeared for plaintilf. Claim, £4 for attendance as midwife, the plaintiff having been engaged for the occasion, and then not having been called in. Non-suited.— Chas. Norris v. T. Gabolinscy. Wrongful detention of order, value £20 14s, left with defendant for 'collection, and received by p'ftintiff from C. Collect, for services rendered. Mr Hay for plaintiff. Jndgment that the order be returned to plaintilf, with costs £14 Ss.

MixiSTEiiUL Visit. — The Hon Mr Richardson, Minister of Lands, in company with Mr Cadman M.H.R., arrived here on Monday evening iiud on Tuesday visited Waiorongomai. In the evening several deputations waited upon the Hon. gontleman at the Club Hotel where the party is now staying. Deputations : A deputation of settlers residing on the 10 acre section, Block 9 Te Aroha Survey District, relative to a drain which had been promised by Government and for which a contract had heen let, but the work not having been carried out in accordance with specifications it became useless and the settlers Bro still able to occupy only a very small portion of their land. The Minister promised to malce enquiry from Mr Percy Smith, from whose department the work had been let, and if money is available to grant the relief asked for. The deputation thanked the Hon. gentleman and with- | drew. Town Tenures. The Town Board next waited upon the Minister in reference to the unsatisfactory nature of present tenures in the township, asking that if no measure is available to enable native owners to firant leases in perpetuity to get a Bill passed for that purpose, as the present native owners in the township are anxious to give security to the inhabitants, so that more substantial buildings may be erected. The Minister thought the matter was distinctly one for the Native Department, but would undertake to bring it before the Native Minister at an early date. The Board having thanked the hon. gentleman retired.—High Values: A deputation of settlers on the deferred payment block from Tβ Aroha West next waited in regard to the high values placed upon their lands by the official valuation, and stating that the land was too poor to grow anything, and that many of them who had paid nearly or over £1 per acre, would rather forfeit than pay the arrears, and now ask that they be allowed to obtain thoir freehold at £1, instead of the ,62, charged wtmn the lam! \\-.\a «M. The Minister admitted the hardships of the case, as stated, and as the Government had a ineasuruin hand to enquire into and report upon valuations, he would make it his business to bjing their grievance before,the com<

tiiisHioiiers. The deputation expressed their Mwnks and withdrew.—(fnrdon SottleM : A deputation of Gordon settlors next interviewed the Minister for 11,,: purpose of asking if any assistance could ha granted rettiers prospecting in the vicinity of their settlement. The Minister replied that as nil direct aid had bi'en stopped, he could give them no hope of any such assistance further than £ for £ towards constructing tracks alter the same had been suggested by the County Council. Tho deputation bowed their thanks, and retired.

Domain Kxtciiisimi.—Tim Domain Board next waited in reference to nml.tors connected with the domain.—The Chairman stilted that some timi< back it was suggested that the Board acquire tho whnla hill 'facing the springs, about -10 ;icri:s, ami some npgo. tialinnx wore entered into in the matter, but were not completed. Tho Minister promised to bring the matter before the Native Department, and he had no doubt that, tlio (Jovfirnmunt would be willing to Kraut every assistance in the arrangement. The Chairman also wished to di%r attention to the Board's financial position, several rnry necessary works being authorised and projected, for which there were no immediate funds.—Tim Hon. Mr Richardson : "It is clear that the works of improving tho springs are necessary, but the other works are quite secondary. I wad quite taken aback, when I saw by your local papers that a library building was contemplated, and I was of the opinion that you lisd no legal right t> expend the funds in this manner, so I wired to Wellington, and find that it is so. You have also expended a sum of money in a bowling green, which, though it may add attraction to tho grounds, should not have been considered so imperative as the direct works in cnnocti.-ii with the springs."—Tho Chairman replied that the Board would not have proceeded with the library building without first consulting the Government, and that no other works were contemplated when the bowling green was put in hand, But he would ask the Hon. gentleman would the Board be within their province if, in knowing the benefit which would arise tho Board, or the majority of the Board became personally responsible for the amount. In fact he (the Chairman) would be willing to advance the amount, rather than have the work delayed, and knowing the revenue would so soon repay tho amount.—The Hon. gentleman said there could not be the least objection to it then. It would be entirely a matter for those who became responsible to settle. I quite agree that you have every reason to be confident of the future success of the springs, and for faith in your revenue."—The Chairman: "We do not wish you to think that the Board is often in financial difficulties. The Board have ooly once been on the wrong side, and then it was easily and quickly wiped off. On behalf of the' Board 1 thank you for your courteous reception." The Board then withdrew. Your correspondent thinks it right to state that the Hon. gentleman seemed particularly well posted in regard to the Domain matters, and to be already prejudiced against the library building, ami to mention in connection with this that I learn on the very best authority that tho "obstructionist member of the Domain Board " was closeted with the Minister the night previous for a considerable time.—A deputation of claim-holders in the Tui district waited upon the Hon. gentleman to ask assistance towards having a good track constructed, they being unable to secure any assistance from the Ohinemnri County Council, and asking that a competent engineer be instructed ts survey a track at once. The lion, gentleman thought the matter could be arranged, and said lie would give them all the assistance in his power. The deputation thanked him and withdrew.