ROTORUA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3047, 26 January 1892, Page 2

ROTORUA.

(from ouk own cokuespondent). The Ljbiiahy.—The third annual meeting of the library subscribers took place in tho reading room on Wednesday last. Mr Malfroy occupied the chair, and a larga number were present. The report and balance-sheet were read, and in alluding to the sad death of Mr J. C. Blythe states : — "Wβ meet under circumstances that we believe no one of us will do otherwise than deplore, viz., the death of our late president, Mr J. C. Blythe. Ho (the founder) saw the necessity there was for an institution of this kind, and with an active and liheral hand, laid the foundation of our odifice. After having placed the key-stone of his architecture, his efforts did not relax, and both in his private and official capacity they were devoted to the mainstay and support of this our building. That his elforts have not been unsuccessful, the statement now to be laid before you will show.' . The income for the year ended was £100, which U about £10 more than the preceding year (lS'.)O), which is very satisfactory considering tlie :;mallness of the community. There are 17 members ou the roll, and tho number of visitois using the advantages of the room is over increasing. The library now contains i>oo volume?, against S(S-~> at She last general meeting. The courteous and unremitting attention displayed by the honorary librarian (Mr McFa'dyen) has met approbation, not only of every member, but also of the travelling public. Visitors borrowed 27S boobs on which i'l.3 12s (id was deposited, and fcS 2s lid withdriwn, leaving t's 10s as donations. To keep up the interest in the libiv.ry, the report points out to tho new committee the necessity of purchasing stindud works; also, tho .•idvi.-iableness of e-ÜblWiing a sinking fund for tho purpose of erecting a suitable building at some" future d ite. The thanks of the committee are tendered to all, both residents and visitors, who have in any way contributed to either the reading-mum or library. The report, in concluding, makes a very wise suggestion, and one which will, no doubt, meet with ready response—viz., that every member will feel happy in contributing his mito to place on the walls of the institute a portrait of the benefactor (tho late Mr .1. C. IJlythe), whose name will ever be revered. The balance-sheet, which has been audited by Messrs Seddon

and Thorn, shows :i credit balance of £7 Us lid. The hon. secretary and treasurer, who has just been appointed to those position!) for the third time and through whose efforts is largely due the present flourishing condition of affairs, is deserving of the thanks of the community. Few similar institutions can show such favourable results, without any extraneous assistance. It is to be hoped that the new committee, just elected, will at the end of their term of office produce a no less satisfactory report than that of their predecessors. With few exceptions, nearly everyone in the placo takes an interest in our reading-room and library, which has proved itself a boon alike to residents and visiteis, situ', therefore, worthy of their support. The following are tho committee and officers appointed

by ballot:—President, Mr C. Malfroy; Vice-l'residens, Mr B. S. Corlett ; Committee, Messrs W. A. Butt, W. K. Purcell, C. M. Wilson, D. Griffiths, Joe Munro, and H. W. Neighbour ; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr W. A. Williams ; hon. librarian, Mr H. lYleFudyeii. Visitors. —Major Wilson, of Cambridge, and party were here for a few days last week. A party of Australian celebrities, who have favoured us with a visit on previous occasions, aro again in our midst. Some of them, including the Hon. H. Mossman, of Queensland, and Mr Charles Chippell, of Broken Hill, have gone on a trip to Lakes Rotoiti, Rotoehu, and Rotoina. This delightful excursion by land and water, of thermal spring and running brooks, ncenery peaceful and beautiful to behold, and around which a hallowed sacredness seems to hang, reminding one of what Paradise is likley to be is enchanting in the extreme. The delay in making the Ohau channel navigable prevents the steam launch leaving Rotorua lake, otherwise many tourists would visit llotoiti and other lakes, the novelty of the trip where campine , has to be done being in itself some inducement to leave the ease and comfort of hotel life behind for a few days.

Black Mail.—The natives have again manifested a desire to increase the cost to the tourists who visit our district, by establishing yet another t>ll-gate, making the .sixth that has gradually grown into existence as the opportunity arose and the chances are they will multiply—if not quite to such an extent as to become as numerous as the sands upon the shore, still quite plentiful enough to become a nuisance, which they indeed aro already, The principle of .'sticking tourists up wherever lie puts his foot and demanding him to shell out as if his only object in travelling was to pay and look pleasant is not to be considered as a likely moans of beneh'tting the distiict, and the sooner the Government awaken to a seu.se of their responsibility in this matter the better it will be for all concerned. The toll-gate alluded to as being the sixth has been brought into force at

TeXgue where passengers, laud from the steam launch on their way to Tikitere. About two years ago a road was surveyed for the purpose of euuliering the natives at this place, but by some oversight or other causo the land was never gazetted, and all sorts of methods to humour the Maoris had to ho resorted to keep them quiet, but they a-t last took the matter in hand and put up a fence, objecting to any right of way unices paid for. This, Oiptain Kilmer of the steam launch has had t ) agree to, which will only encourage the tiboiigiiial to go and do likewise at s"in? other spot. When the (lovenimcnt surveyed the mad it was and si ill is their duty to retain it for the use of both races, Maori and Kuroppan. Symi'ai-iiy.—The news of the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondsle, which reached here on Saturday, was received with a general feeling of regret, and the deepest sympathy expressed for the Koyal Family in their bereavinmit. Ticu'.i'HONK Office. —Arrangements ;<ro being made to have a tslephono office at YVhakarewarewu.