GREYTOWN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5072, 26 June 1877, Page 3

GREYTOWN.

(fuoji our own correspondent.)

Rather a carious affair happed on Saturday, which, though of a serious nature, caused some little amusement to the bidders at the sale. Mr. F. H. AVood was in the act of selling Heggarty’s Carterton accommodation-house at the Court House, Greytowu, and while going through the preliminary usual to auctioneers of “Going, going,” a telegram came to state that the house had “ gone”—it was totally consumed by fire. Heggarty was seen in the house about two hours before the fire broke out, and as this gentleman, who has done things lately not at all pleasing to the c) e of the law, had no accommodation to offer, the constable accommodated him with board and residence at the lockup. The footpath on the west side of Mainstreet, Greytowu, is progressing rapidly. Mr. Oakes, the contractor, is, to all appearances, trying, to see how quickly the work can be executed. He has about thirty men and half as many carts employed on the work, which make quite a stir in this township. The other side has been finished .some time, and when the present one is completed Greytowu will look a little more respiectable to visitors than it has heretofore done, Greytown has held the position that Wellington did for many years in being cried down by all rival towns ; but, like Wellington, the injuries iutended for her have only rebounded on her enemies. The kicks Greytown has received are now being replaced by halfpence. A very interesting entertainment was given at Featherston by Mr. Gurr, the schoolmaster of that township, assisted by bis family and schoolchildren. It consisted of. musical selections, songs, readings, and recitations. Mr. Gurr stated that it was the practice in South Australia for the pupils to give an entertainment every quarter; and to judge by the success of this, the movement appears to be a good one.

A serai-concert was given under the auspices of the Greytown Winter Reading Committee for the benefit of the Wairarapa Hospital Many ladies and gentlemen from all parts of the Valley assisted, A good programme was gone through, and a very enjoyable evening was spent. The attendance was large considering the inclemency of the weather. The coming election is causing a little excitement, but not sufficient to procure for the Wairarapa a candidate possessing any tiling like the ability which it deserves. There are many electors altogether dissatisfied with the two candidates at present put forward, and some steps are being taken to procure the services of a gentleman who will fill the position with credit to himself and to the district.