WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 13, 22 April 1871, Page 8

WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

THE RIMUTAKA ROAD. It affords me great Satisfaction to be able to announce that the Rimutaka road is now open for both goods and "passenger traffic. One of the bridges has not yet been completed, as longer stringers were required. The order for these was sent to the Woodside mills on Thursday, but the Waiohine was too high to cross then. On Friday the order reached the mills, and the work was executed. On Saturday morning the river was again flooded, but in the evening the stringers were got over, and were dispatched to the Rimutaka the first thing on Sunday morning, in order that they might be placed in position to enable the mail coach to pass over this (Monday) morning. This expedition on the part of Mr Revans contrasts very favorably with that displayed by the SGovernrnent in this matter. Indeed, it appears to me that the conduct of the Government is calculated, if not intended, to disgust the people with provincial institutions, than which, if properly worked, no machinery could be be'tter adapted to secure the peace, order, and good government of the province, which the people will perhaps discover when too late. The enterprise of the carriers in surmounting, almost insuperable difficulties is deserving of commendation, if only to stimulate the general body of settlers to follow, in this particular, their example. Though, as will be seen from the above, the whole of the bridges have not yet been completed, the waggons brought up tons of goods last week, and will continue now to do so, though, owing to the great quantity of rain we have had lately, and the total absence of repairs, the roads are in a fearfully rotten state. By the way, is the Provincial Council, when it meets, going to do nothing with reference to a subject which, more than any other, is under its special jurisdiction ? If they have no funds, is it not a part of their duty, in a Committee of Ways and Means, to take measures to provide them ? What would be thought of such a plan if urged by the British or our colonial Parliament ? Has not a Legislature to raise a revenue as well as to vote its expenditure ? TABATAHI ROAD BOARD. A meeting of the ratepayers of the Taratahi Road District was held at the Town Hall, Carterton, on Saturday last, for the purpose of fixing the rate for the making and repairing of the roads of the district, but any attempt to enforce payment of road rates until the case of Lucas against Hhschberg has been deeided will only end in useless litigation. THE RAILWAY SURVEY. The levels for the proposed line of railway through the valley are now being taken. The line over the Featherston and Moroa plains is almost level, being only about 1 in 200, a gradient no more than sufficient to allow for the escape of water, and for drainage generally. The weather has been most unfavorable for all out-door operations, or the survey and levels in the Seventy-Mile Bush would have been proceeded with. * FAT SHEEP. Fat weathers were sold at Featherston last week for the Wellington market at the rate of 9s each on the spot. BARLEY. The price asked in this district for barley is 5s 6d per bushel, being exactly double the price it fetches in Canterbury. . *■ THE BISHOP OF WELLINGTON. Bishop Hadfield is still in the valley, and has been most active in his religious ministrations. He preached in the open air in the Maori language to some 400 Maoris at Greytown, when his action, animation, and fluency astonished, if not the natives, at least the few white people who were present. On Sunday | he preached at Masterton to crowded ' congregations, and also held a confirma- ! tion in the new and commodious church church which has recently been erected there. THE LOWER VALLEY. This portion of the Wairarapa, being, distant from the trunk road and the several townships, is seldom visited by travellers, and has not had that attention directed to it which it deserves. It has lately been constituted a road district, which extends from the Ruamahunga river to Cape Palliser, and comprises 79,000 acres of rateable land,

including soiie 18,000 acres occupied by Messrs E. and C. Pharazyn on the coast. At the last meeting of the Board of Wardens a uniform rate of a halfpenny an acre was assessed, and objections are appointed to be heard on the 24th inst. Mr C. Pharazyn intends to object to the assessment on the ground that a uniform rate is unfair in a district where the land is naturally of very unequal value, and also on the ground that his property lies at a-great distance from the roads which will be benefited by the proposed expenditure. His rate amounts to £3B lis 3d. In the meantime the repair of existing and the construction of new bridges are being proceeded with oo the principal road in the district. The want of a bridge over the Ruamahunga is very seriously felt, and many valuable lives have been lost owing to its absence. I learn that Mr Haggerty contemplates placing a punt on the river ; and, as it will prove a great boon to the district, it is hoped that the settlers and the board of wardens will give him all the assistance in their power. On Sunday, the 11th inst, the Bishop ■• of Wellington paid a hurried visit to the lower valley. He held a service in the evening at Huangarua, and the next day baptized a number of children connected with the station. The necessity of providing some means of religious instruction for the sparse but not inconsiderable population scattered between the Ruamahunga and the coast was forced on the Bishop's attention, and will probably have the effect of directing the attention of the Synod at its next sitting to this subject. The only minister who visits ' the eastern side of the Ruamahunga is the Rev. J. Ross ; and at a meeting held at the new township of Waihenga some time ago, at which the Hon. G. W. Waterhouse presided, it was resolved to erect a Presbyterian church ; and I am informed that the project is being well supported by the settlers, and that a sufficient sum of money has already been subscribed to warrant the belief that the erection of a suitable building will shortly be commenced. At that meeting the total absence of any educational means in the neighborhood was much deplored, for, though there are not many children, the few there are have no school to go to. There ought to be no district in the colony without a public school, and if a neighborhood cannot support one of itself, an educational rate not upon each house, but upon the annual value of all property in the district, should supply the deficiency. One of the largest landowners in the district, I have the honor to be assured, and the satisfaction to state, would gladly pay such a tax rather than see the rising generation grow up in ignorance and its too frequent attendant vice. We are all looking anxiously forward to the promised measure .of the Government on this subject. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. The great rate case, Lucas v Hirschberg, after sundry adjournments, came on for hearing at the above Court on Tuesday, before H. S. Wardell, Esq., R.M. I was in hopes I should have heard the result of the hearing in time to send by this post, but the late hour at which it came on has prevented me from doing so. Whether for or against the plaintiff, an appeal to the Supreme Court will be granted. Solicitor for the plaintiff, Mr Allan ; for the defendant, Hart and Buckley. HORSE RACE. The match for £SO aside between Mr Clarke's horse Balrownie, and Mr R. Greathead's horse Little Wonder, came off, pursuant to arrangement, on the Mania Race Course, Masterton, on Monday last, The distan6e was two miles, and notwithstanding the weather, the course was in fair condition. Each horse had its backers, but odds in favor of Balrownie were freely offered and taken. A cold south-easter prevented so large an attendance as was expected to witness the result of the match. The race was won by Little Wonder by a neck, Balrownie, it is said, not being in first-rate condition. NEW HIGHWAY ACT. I am gratified to state that it is the intention of the Provincial Secretary to introduce a new Highway Bill ut the meeting of the Council, and that the various road boards have been consulted as to its principles and provisions. It is true that the Provincial Executive

exhibited some signs of life, and I like this as a favorable indication that it will do so. 1 may just hint that an Act or Acts will be required with reference to the railway and immigration policy of the Government, agreeably with the provisions of the "Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870." The General Government is doing its part, and it is necessary that the members of the Provincial Council should do theirs.