WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 51, 13 January 1872, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(from our own correspondent.)

In your report of the Caledonian Gathering at "Wellington on New Year's Day, you state " that those of the Wairarapa squad who did put in an appearance seemed entirely out of form," and you express a hope " that next year they will have more time for preparation, and consequently better rewarded for their long journey." In justice to the parties in question, I venture to observe that the other portions of your report do not confirm the truth of these disparaging introductory comments. You admit thac the vaulting match was second in point of excellence, the height cleared being 9ft 3in, being as high as has been done in New Zealand. The prize was won by a Wairarapa man. The second prize for the running high jump was carried off by a Wairarapa youth. The two prizes for putting the stone were both secured by Wairarapa men ; and they also carried off the prizes for throwing the heavy hammer. The 100 yards foot race was won by Yule against numerous competitors ; and the prize for tossing the caber was carried off by a Wairarapian, who also won two other prizes. On the whole, therefore, "the Wairarapa squad" did not show so badly as your reporter imagined, possibly owing to his ignorance of the fact that Hollard, Oates, Cotter, and Wakelin, as well as Yule, all hailed from this district ; and I may state that one or the other of whom will be prepared to toss the caber, put the stone, throw the heavy hammer, or vault, run, or jump against any competitor belonging to any other part of the province. The anniversary of the Wesley an Methodist Church, Grey town, was held on Sunday last, when two sermons were preached by the Rev Mr Harper from the Hutt. On Tuesday, January 2, a public tea meeting was held in Mr O'Connor's paddock, which had been kindly lent for the occasion, and which was well attended. About 120 persons sat down to tea, and then enjoyed themselves with sports on the greensward. In the evening a public meeting was held in the Church, which was well attended. B. P. Perry, Esq, occupied the chair. The secretary's report showed a balance against the trustees of £IBO on the Church and Parsonage. Appropriate and interesting addresses were delivered by the Rev Mr Lawrie, Presbyterian Minister, from Masterton, the Rev Mr Harper, the Rev MrNicol, and Mr S. M. Hart. The thanks of the meeting were warmly given to the ladies who provided the trays. The proceeds of tea and collections amounted to £9, which will be appropriated to the Trust Fund.

No improvement has taken place in the price of dairy produce. Cheese is in no demand, and the highest price given for butter is 3£d per lb. Surely at this price it would pay to export it to England. It would, one would imagine, afford a cheaper and better substitute for railway grease, than the latter is found to be for butter. I have been shown a sample of cheese from the celebrated dairy of Mr Josias Tocker, of Tauherenikau, and connisseurs pronounce it to be equal in size, appearance, quality, and flavor to any they have ever seen or tasted. Such cheese could not be sent across the line unless most carefully packed, as it would be sure to melt on the passage. But can there be no market found for such an article nearer home ? Is it really true that English cheese from Europe continues to be imported to Australia and even to New Zealand? Talk about local industries ! Here is an industry well adapted for the country and climate, employed in the production of an article in general demand which bids fair to be suspended altogether owing to its unremunerative character. This is already the case with butter, and there is a prospect of its being the case also with most other farm products. There is only one of two courses open. You must either diminish the supply or increase the demand. Both ends are attained by the establishment of new industries ; and it is under such favorable circumstances that new industries are successfully established. Men withdraw from an employment which is found not to be remunerative, and engage in one which promises to be so; and thus the supply of

the surplus commodity is lessened and the demand for it augmented. Thus, also, a home market is erected, which is the best of all markets for a country, as Adam Smith long ago demonstrated. It is true that his disciples have turned a deaf ear to his arguments, and, because they are opposed to their cherished theory, have pronounced them loose reasoning, but they are not the less feasible on that account. They maintain that as foreign commodities are paid for by home commodities the purchase of the former encourages home industry as much as the purchase of the latter does. He, on the contrary, proves that though thereturns of the foreign trade of consumption should be as quick as those of the home trade, which, however, is never the case, the capital employed in it will give but one-half the encouragement to the industry or productive labor of the country that is given by the home trade. This statement is in accordance with common sense, and the self-evolved opinions of practical men, who give it their assent without bothering themselves with the arguments by which it is supported, or the sophisms by which it is sought to be set aside. If, therefore, the low prices now ruling for pastoral, agricultural, and dairy produce, should be the means of creating and fostering new industries, and thus opening for the former a more remunerative home market, the temporary loss will result in permanent benefit alike to our producers and the country at large. A meeting of the committee of the Wairarapa Institute and Library was held on Wednesday last, when it was resolved that the district should be canvassed for donations and subscriptions, and that a prospectus should be printed for general distribution, setting forth the objects of the Institute. These objects are to supply by a reading-room, library, lectures, readings, classes, and other means, such useful information and intellectual recreation for the people, as well as prove favorable to the healthy development of character, and the promotion of innocent enjoyments. In addition to the munificent gift of £IOO by the Hon Mr Waterhouse, he has promised an annual subscription of £lO 10s; and MrPalmerson, Mr J. Russell, Mr R. Barton, and others, have also contributed handsomely to the funds of the, Institute. Your correspondent will be happy to receive donations of money or books for the Institute, which will be publicly acknowledged, and be esteemed by him as a favor personally conferred upon himself. T am informed that the cost incurred by his Excellency's visit to the Pastoral Show at Masterton will be defrayed by voluntary contributions of members, and not out of the funds of the Association. Mr Vickery, the poor fellow who had his leg fractured last week, has since had to have it amputated ; Dr Smith performing the operation, assisted by Drs Will'ord and Hildebrand. The gentlemen who so efficiently acted as clerks of the course and scales at the Masterton races were Messrs W. and J. lorns, the grandsons of Mr Masters, M.P.C. The main road across the Taratahi Plains, which for the last ten months has been scarcely passable, is now being made and repaired, and tenders have been invited for keeping in repair the whole of the north-eastern road during the next three years. This shows a different state of affairs to that which has so long existed, and reflects great credit on the present Provincial Government. Messrs Bunny and Andrew have been invited to attend a meeting of their constituents for the purpose of rendering an account of their stewardship. It is in contemplation also to convene a public meeting relative to provincial questions, to which the members of the Provincial Council will be invited, and when, it is said, a resolution condemning the action they took during the last session with regard to the District Highways Act will be submitted for adoption.