About the tyme of this Assembly lyckwayes, sett formes of prayers in prayer are dispublicke beganne to be dishaunted by all

He handed out tearsheets for each of the stocks he was recommending.

A dam is often an essential source of water to farmers of hilly country.

i.e. they'll spend the first four hours enthusiastic as can be, then get bored, want some kai, go down to the local fish and chip shop & bottle store & spend the rest of the episode telling drunken stories of how they used to steal from the pakeha that owned the store on the corner and about days spent down at the social welfare office.