WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 16, 13 May 1871, Page 8

WAIRARAPA AFFAIRS.

BRIDGES. Though the Hutt bridge is not situated in the Wairarapa, the settlers here are as much interested in its restoration as they would be if it was in their district. That bridge is, I have been in formed, to be repaired—a toll is to be imposed to pay the interest on its cost. Why not adopt this plan in other places where bridges are required ? If I am not misinformed, it is the intention of the new Government to do this. There is not a settler in the province that will not wish them success. A man with a heavily laden cart or waggon having to cross the rivers in this valley would save himself the cost and feed of one horse in his team by being able to dispense with his services if those rivers were bridged, saying nothing of wear and tear of waggon and harness; and to whom, therefore, the amount of the toll he would have to pay would be a trifle in comparison. But before we can build bridges, or obtain a loan to pay for the cost of their erection, a revenue must be raised, and we cannot have the one if we grudge the other. SCHOOLS. The Greytown school is still without a committee, the law on the subject notwithstanding. The East Masterton school district is about to make provision for the maintenance of its school, and not before it was required. At Tauherenikau, the school-house is at present without either a teacher or scholars. KAI-WAI-WAI SCHOOL. On Wednesday last, the school committee, per teacher, according to custom, gave prizes to the scholars. The first, second, and third of which were awarded respectively to William Benton, Helen Bicknell, and Thomas Benton. Much credit is du6 to the settlers in their out-

of-the-way place, for the sacrifices they have made to support a school in their midst. In addition to the usual school fees, they have to contribute considerably more than £1 per house to effect this object. What is more, they are able to do it ; and, what is better, they are also willing, which is not the case every where, or a compulsory rate would be necessary: though this school, like all other schools in country places, could not be kept open without a grant from the Provincial Secretary. accidents. I regret to say that Mr Moody met with an accident at Masterton the other day, having had his leg broken by a kick from his horse. This was afterwards sold to keep the poor fellow until he is able to go to work at firewood cutting, the occupation at which he was engaged at the time of the accident. Twenty years ago the same person was keeping .a store at the Hutt Bridge. From which circumstance it may be gathered that all are not fortunate men in New Zealand. On Monday last a somewhat similar accident befell a son of Mr Haggerty, of the Wharekaka Hotel, near the Ruamahanga river. His horse shied, fell, and threw him, when it was found his leg had been broken. Medical assistance was procured, and the young fellow is rapidly recovering RIFLE CLUB A rifle club has just been formed at Masterton, which promises to be a success. They have accepted a challenge from the Carterton Rifle Club to fire a match on the Queen’s Birthday. PENNY READINGS. On Thursday evening readings were given at the Town Hall, Grey town, by several gentlemen who have united together to afford their fellow settlers some means of innocent recreation and amusement during these long and dreary wintei evenings. The weather was extremely unfavorable, as it was raining and blowing woise than it has done for a long time past, and yet there was a good attendance. This speaks well for the success of the movement. It is said that gentlemen are loath to take an active part in it, as they fear hostile criticism ; but they should know that the press does not criticise amateurs whose only object is the edification or amusement of those who choose to give their attendance. THE EX-SUPERINTENDENT. Dr. Featherston passed through Greytown on Friday morning on his return from a visit to liis station at Akiteo. He had a miserable journey, and found the roads in a very bad condition. GREYTOWN JOCKEY CLUB. This ciub has convened a public meeting to be held next week, for the pupose of making arrangements for the next race meeting. A “BEE.” One of those interesting gatherings in a new country known as a “ bee,” took place last week on the Maoii Plain. The inhabitants of the vicinity, aided by two or three of the more public spirited of the Grey town settlers, resolved to join together to put a piece of road in order which had been cut to pieces with timber waggons and wool drays, and which had become all but impassable. This road connects the Lower with the Upper Valley, and the former with Grey town, and is in the position of the North Road described by Macaulay, who says, “That a route connecting two towns which have a large and thriving trade with each other, should be maintained at the cost of the rural population scattered between them is obviously unjust; and this instance was peculiarly glaring in the case of the Great North Road, which traversed very poor and thinly inhabitants districts, and joined very rich and populous districts.”- This is the case with the-road in question, and yet it was the one of all others omitted by the late Executive from participating in the General Gevernment grant, thus throwing the whole burden of its repair on the road population scattered between two wealthy districts, though both of these districts participated largely in the grant referred to. As it is next to impossible to levy rates with the law on the subject being constantly altered and disputed, the settlers resolved on trying what voluntary effort would accomplish, several finding horses and carts, other paying carts, and the majority giving labor. It is truly gratifying to see what a number of men,

joining together in this way and working with a will, can in a few days accomplish. We wish these “ bees” were of more frequent occurrence. FLOODS. On Thursday evening the Tauherinikau river was flooded, which prevented the arrival of the mail coach until the following morning. The Waiohine was also flooded, and it was found that the fasciue works which had been put up would be washed away. This took place to some extent, but it did not cause the damage which was apprehended, as I am told that a larger volume of water now runs along its old course under the bridge than has been the case for some time past.