OUR WAIRARAPA LETTER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4437, 9 June 1875, Page 3

OUR WAIRARAPA LETTER.

(FROM OUR OUTS' CORRESPONDENT.) The weather has been almost constantly rainy, rough, or dull for two or three weeks. Church matters in this district have been lately improving very much, and shortly will be on a very satisfactory footing. Principally ■by the aid of the ladies of the Valley, a largo new parsonage is being put up, and subscriptions—where any canvass has been made—have been liberally given to build a large addition to the Greytown church, which is now altogether inadequate to the actual demands made upon it. Another clergyman is expected from Home in July, to take charge of the Upper Valley. The Kev. Mr. Booth, of Carterton, who has been educated for the ministry, and who was ordained last week, will assist generally as one of the newly-sanctioned class of ministers who combine a secular occupation with a religious vocation ; while Mr. Payton has been formally appointed by the Bishop of Wellington as lay-reader, the duties of which office Mr. Payton has been some time performing. Through the untiring energy, the persevering efforts, and the constant zeal of the Kev. Mr. Knell has this most gratifying .provision for the English Church ministration been brought about. The rev. gentleman, who is personally very much liked, has been immensely overworked; and some time ago was laid up by weakness caused by often-recurring fatigue. Too many duties and bodily exhaustion cannot fail to take from that freshness in preaching which has so powerful and subtle a charm. It is a matter of fact, in sad contrast to the pleasing condition to which the English Church is just being raised, that the position of the incumbent of the Wairarapa pecuniarily has been seriously neglected. Mr. Nation, agent of the Bank of New Zealand, Masterton, goes to Christchurch soon, and Mr. S. McCarthy, postmaster, has obtained two months’ leave of abseuce. Messrs. G. Wakelin and Sons have obtained the contract for building the Bank of New Zealand, Greytown, for £l3oo—a rather low figure. The building, which is to be a very fine one, will have a full suite of rooms, as a residence for manager and offices for the banking business ; and, as is usual in such buildings, everything will be of the best material and of high finish. Greytown is the only place in the Valley where the entertainment styled “ Penny Keadings ” has been regularly provided as a winter’s amusement. The management has been much the same for two or three years, and the “ readers” and other entertainers have been varied considerably. Last night the readings were well attended. The desire to see and to be seen, together with an inclination for some diversion these long winter evenings, has drawn hither very considerable audiences. The influence exercised by the entertainments is highly beneficial, and the management deserve great credit for taking the pains they have. The Carterton-Taratahi Highway Board held a meeting last Thursday. The rate-book had not been received from the assessor. Mr. Jones, collector to former boards, was appointed collector to this.