WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4412, 11 May 1875, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(FROM OOP. OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Gheytown, May 8. Tlie highly gratifying account of what, has been done in the past year by the Provincial Government, and the proposed works for the current year (also pleasing to every one),_have made political feeling among the generality of people quieter and calmer than ever. The constitutional changes, so far as the people of the Wairarapa are concerned, are likely to be decided on their merits. The Greytown Local Board at its last meeting had brought before it its audited accounts, and also the question of the litigation now in progress. The accounts are very full. The rates amount to £209, of which £59 has been collected, leaving £l5O uncollected. Government grant-in-aid (diaputed amount), £l5O paid ; to cash received, £209 ; expenses, £3B ; contracts, £BO ; cash to credit of Board, May Ist, 1875, £9O. The Board has done some highly necessary work ; but until the law-suit is decided, is not committing itself to any undertakings of consequence. The features of this case are forced upon one's attention, but they are common to all local bodies at starting. All the Highway Boards were opposed on collecting the rate, and I remember in particular that when Wellington had to decide upon having a "Town Board" or not, there was strenuous opposition made by a large party. The election of the Greytown Board was irregular, and the party in opposition is very large, though if the election had been regular there would have been a large majority in support of the Board.' The question comes up for final decision in the Court of Appeal this month, and it is to be sincerely hoped that the matter will be decided in favor of the' Board. If it is not, a year's rates, and what is of the greatest importance, the Government grant of £l5O or £2OO will be lost. If, on the other hand, the Board gains, the good sense of the bulk of the ratepayers will perhapß save Greytown the disgrace of throwing away £l5O or £2OO by paying the rates due, and not trying another issue. This done, the Board could, with some justice, be asked to resign, which it would perhaps do. The "Wairarapa Boilingrdown Company held a special meeting at the Institute to-day. Four-fifths of the shareholders in number and amount have given their formal consent to a winding-up, which, indeed, had been agreed to by a majority at a previous meeting. This determination will have to bo gazetted, and confirmed at a second meeting in June. Though as boiling-down works the property is greatly lowered in value, it is hoped that the greatly enhanced price of land will return the capital invested. The property is to be sold early. The Good Templars mustered loyally at a meeting on Tuesday last. They propose purchasing a harmonium. Much good has been done, and many havo taken an interest in the cause in Greytown. Of miscellaneous items perhaps the following are worthy of a bare mention :—The case against Mr. Hall of stealing a cheque was decided" in his favor, the evidence not being sufficient. A bridge of three spanß, at the north end of Greytown, across a hollow through which a part of the Waiohino rims, and which when flooded stops waggons, will probably be open for traffic on Monday. The first pile of a large bridge over Abbott's Creek will probably be started next Tuesday. The winter Penny Readings were commenced at the Wairarapa Institute last night. The butter of a certain maker in Greytown is of such excellent quality, and is so much in demand, that many have to be refused or only get a little as a favor. Two purchasers that offered a considerable advance for a regular supply had their offer refused, thus causing a loss to the butter-maker of a considerable profit. While meat, potatoes, timber, and a host of articles vary their price according to quality, it is not the oaße here with butter. Good or bad, the prico is the same, with occa-

sionally a single exception. Fanners have long complained of this custom of the Wairarapa dealers, and so have the buyers. That it will be broken through some day there can be no doubt, and it could be broken at once if some storekeeper would only have the spirit to offer a higher price for superior butter. Storekeepers should placarcl the butter on their counters with the name of the maker, so that a bad maker could be avoided. As timber is much in demand, some details as to prices and cost of carriage will probably interest your Wairarapa readers as much as your readers in Wellington. Totara boards and scantling of first quality, 9s. at the mills; of second quality, 7s. 6d. Boards over 12in. wide, Is. per 100 ft. additional for every inch of increase in width; generally, however, if only a moderate proportion of aii order, these wide boards are sold at ordinary rates. Matai and pine the same as totara, but millowuers are reluctant in cutting matai but most willing to cut pine. Carriage from mills close to Greytown to Greytown, Is.; to Featherston, 3s. to 2s. 6d.; to Waihenga Bridge, 4s. to 3s. 6d.; and to Wellington from all mills, 12s.