THE WAIRARAPA DISTRICT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4314, 18 January 1875, Page 3

THE WAIRARAPA DISTRICT.

The Wairarapa district is advancing with astonishing rapidity. The rise in the price of wool has a great deal to do with this prosperity, no ‘doubt, but the settlers themselves are alive to the fact that the active administration of the Provincial Government has contributed as much as any other cause to the present favorable condition of affairs. A little more than a year ago the settlers of the Lower Valley and the Wharekika Plains were provided with a safe and speedy means of communication with the townships on the main line of road ; one great impediment to traffic between Masterton and the East Coast has just been removed by the opening of Te Ore Ore bridge, and before long the only remaining work on that line, a bridge over the treacherous' Taueru, will be completed. Tenders for the work have been sent in, but the Provincial Government were compelled to decline their acceptance on account of the amounts being too high, the saw mills having raised the price of timber in the shortsighted belief that as the work had to be gone on with they could force a price. This difficulty is, however, likely to be got over in a very simple manner. On Friday last his Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Secretary visited the site of the bridge, which is in the neighborhood of Mr.- Gilligan’s station, and- there is every probability that suitable timber in abundance will be obtained on Mr. Gilligan’s property.- The steam engine used for the Government stone breaking machine null be placed at the disposal of the contractor, and in this way the contract will be carried out as originally intended. Upper Taueru, Alfredton, Castle Point and Masterton will then have uninterrupted communication over a splendid line of road—a road whicli is a credit to the province and to the Provincial Government. During the recent visit of the Superintendent, the settlers were not slow in recognising the energy of the present Executive. His Honor was everywhere received with enthusiasm, evidently the offspring of gratitude, for the benefits the district had received from the public works constructed within the last few years. As an old settler, he would have re-, oeived the hospitality which the settlers are ever ready to extend, but the feeling of the people went beyond this in expressing that higher sense of appreciation which is commonly understood to apply to a benefactor. The recent proceedings at Te Ore Ore were significant, if only for the fact that they formed a recognition of faithful services honestly and energetically performed.