THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 53, 27 January 1872, Page 7

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO THE WAIRARAPA.

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[TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL ] Sir, —Iu reference to the following paragraph, which appeared in the " Wairarapa Mercury," 30th December, 1871, will you allow me through your valuable paper to state that the whole of the statements contained therein are totally untrue. In the first place his Excellency never intended to honor the Wairarapa (Masterton) races with his presence, as arrangements were previously made for his Excellency to arrive at Masterton on Wednesday, December 27th, and to leave on Friday, December 29th, which he accordingly did, and was not aware what his expenses were ten minutes before leaving Masterton. In the second place, I agreed to board the whole party, ten in number (not including two guests to dinner each day), and to find sleeping accommodation for as many as possible, which were seven in number. I also provided accommodation for two servants and three horses.

The total amount received by me for the Governor and Buite's accommodation ,vas £36 15s. Out of which I had to pay for ale and wine, expressly ordered for the party's own use, the sum of £8 15s Gd (their stay in Masterton being forty-two hours.) I may add that my charge was based on the sum I received on his Excellency's first visit to Masterton, in February 1869, on which occasion I received £lO 10s, the number being five, and their stay in Masterton only eighteen hours, no ale or wine being supplied. Being at a loss what to charge on the above occasion, I applied to one of the party, by whom I was instructed to charge as above (£lO 10s), which gave satisfaction, and I was paid accordingly. If I committed an indiscretion (which I deny), in overcharging on his Excellency's last visit, I can only say that I did not receive as much bv some pounds as I did on the Governor's first visit to Masterton according to the accommodation supplied, I may also add that Lady Bowen, and also Mrs Fitzherbert, expressed their high satisfaction at the manner in which they had been provided for. Apologising for trespassing so far on your valuable column?. —I am, &c, Charles Dixon. Worksop Farm, M'asterLon, January 23, 1872. The Expense of Visiting- the Wairarapa. —We are informed that his Excellency the Governor, with Lady Bowen and suite, were unable to attend the Wairarapa Races at Masterton owing to the tremendous cost of their lodging. We may mention, as a guide for the future, that four meals for five adults and two children, with sleeping accommodation for two nights, cost £3l at Dixon's in Masterton ; and the same for two amounted fco £ll- Comment upon this is needless, but we are afraid that his Excellency the Governor and his Honor the Superintendant will not carry away a very good impression of the accommodation-house keepers of the Wairarapa, and in their future visits will take very great care to make arrangements prior to their coming.