TE AROHA

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2615, 16 April 1889, Page 2

TE AROHA

Destitute Persons.—Two cases of distress exist here at present, one of the subjects being the nomadic Captain Corbett, Justice of the Peace for the colony of New Zealand, the other being that of ?n old man named Hobbs who lias resided for some time in a -small wliare at the foot of Prospector's Hill. Through want of work, or inability to perform it, Hobbs has latterly fallen into a slate of destitution, bordering on starvation ; fortunately fur him, Mr Smailes, whose is the nearest residence to the whare, interested himself in tho man's position, and provided him with food, etc. The case having been represented to the police, Sergeant Emerson on Monday telegraphed to the secretary of the Waikato District Charitable Aid Board, and afterwards wrote, narrating the circumstances. The reply to the Sergeant's application for admission to the hospital, I understand is, there is no room in the institution. Captain Corbett's is a hard case in more senses than one. His personal appearance is familiar throughout the whole of the North Island, by his wooden leg; many of your Auckland readers will easily associate the gallant Captain with the dull thud in his perambulating Queen-street. Some months ago he came here from Taupo, staying a short time, he suddenly disappeared from our streets, and after an absence of six or seven weeks turned up again last Monday. It appears that after leaving Te Aroha he worked his passage right into the hills at

the back of Waiorongomai, reaching the camp of Mr Howland, bush contractor, where, on the strength of a alight previous acquaintance he rested, and received every hospitality and attention that gentleman and his workmen could provide. His sojourn however, became somewhatprotracted, if not irksome, having run into six weeks; in fact he had become such a burden and annoyance to the men that they determined he or they should quit the hill. A difficulty arose—the lame knee had been hurt—and the captain was unable to proceed, but this was got over by the construction of a stretcher, ami on this he was borne by four stalwart bushmen from the hilltop to the flit, a distance of over three miles, and to th« credit of these men, each one subscribed live shillings to help him on his way. Mr Howland alow contributed £2 with tho same

object. As already stated, he came back here on Monday, and obtained bad and board at Thomson's Family Hotel. It was soon, however, found he was not in a fit state to occupy hotel accommodation, and being discharged on Wednesday he got into one of Mr Gallagher's omnibuses, and was ultimately that evening content to lay down in an empty horse-stall, where at the present moment he is laid on a innttrass— a helpless, homeless, crippled old man. A subscription was raised by a few of the townspeople on Thursday morninsr to defray his expenses to the Waikato Hospital of this unfortunate wreck, and it is expected he will be able to be moved there on Friday. New Flax-mill. —Mr H. H. Adams received tenders on Wednesday for tho erection of a building, wherein ho will carry on the flax industiy on part of the piopert.y he recently pin-chased from the Bank of New Zealand, known as Carr's. The proposed building will measure 35ft. x 25ft., and the tender of Mr J. Comes at £40 was accepted. Clakk AffiliationCasr.—Young Clark, who has just completed a term of six month's hard labour at Mount Eden Gaol, was liberated early in the week, and iminodiately re-arrested at tho instance of Mr Robert Maekie, f:,r failing to provide for tho maintenance of his illegitimate child. He was broupht to Te Aroha in charge of Constable O'Brien, and placed in the police cell. On Wednesday he was brought before a local J. P., and remanded till Tuesday, when Mr Northcroft R.M., will decide future proceedings. Football Match.—A match will bo played on tlin old racecourse on Saturday afternoon, Waiorongomai v. Te Aroha. Both clubs are very recently formed, and considerable interest will be taken in the friendly contest.