CARTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5379, 24 June 1878, Page 2

CARTERTON.

(from our own correspondent.) June 22nd. Signs of progress are observable in this township. Several new buildings have recently been erected, and others are in course of erection. A short time since you recorded the opening of a Catholic church by Bishop Redwood. It is situate on the right as you enter the town from Wellington, and is a very pretty structure. It is of the Gothic style of architecture, and has a fine appearance. The presbytery is situate a short distance from the church, where the Rev. Father Halbwachs, the minister for the district, resides. I understand that it is contemplated at a future date to erect a building on the south side of the presbytery for a S .ihbath-school, which will afford accommodation for the children receiving religious instruction. The town is about two and a-half miles long, with streets running at right angles ; but the buildings are erected principally on the main line of road. There are three hotels, one at the south end—the Royal Oak, conducted by Mr. Giles ; one about the centre—the Marquis of Normaoby, conducted by Mr. T. Evans ; and one at the north end, conducted by Mr. T. Ray, which together afford ample accommodation for the resident and travelling public. The Episcopal church is situate in the centre of the township, and is also in the Gothic style of architecture. The Sabbath-school is erected on the south side, and is sufficiently large to afford accommodation for all the children of this denomination. The Rev. Mr. Knell is the curate, who visits monthly ; and the Rev. Mr. Booth officiates on the intervening Sundays. A new cabinet organ has recently been placed in this church, and the choir deserve praise for the proficiency they have attained. It is intended to erect a new fence round the property, which will certainly be an improvement, and will add much to the appearance ol the place. The Wesleyans have erected a oh »pel at the south end of the town. The Rev. J. B. Richardson ia the minister of the district, who ia assisted by local preachers. The Presbyterians have a piece of land given to them by Mr. Bassett, but have not yet erected a church* and at the present time are using the Wesleyan. There are two public halls, one situate at either end of the town. Both these buildings are commodious ; but a coat or two of paint would add much to their external appearance, and this latter remark would equally apply to the majority of the private buildings of the town.

Carterton is famous as a timber supplying district, its resource*ii this respect being very great. There are no less than seven large sawmills in full work, and one flour mill. Messrs. Booth and Co. contemplate laying iron rails between their mill and'offices, and also from various parts of the bush to the mill. This mil consume about 200 tons iron. Tne locomotive is already on the premises, and ready to work as soon as the lines are finished. Mr. Chew has recently erected a new saw-mill at the south end of the town, and has a Itrge supply of timber to work upon. The other mills are owned bv Messrs. Stewart Bros., Messrs. W. and L. Wiley, Messrs. Bowrie and King, Mr. Cope, and Mr. J.* Robinson. It is anticipated that a considerable impetus will be given to the trade when the railway is completed into the valley, and every preparation is being made to make the most of the facilities that the line will offer for traffic. Sometime since a stir was made in the district, a meeting held, and trustees elected and gazetted for the Carterton public cemetery. It was anticipated that some good would result from this action, but up to the present time no more has been heard about it. There are forty acres in the cemetery reserve. It was thought that certain portions would have been set open for the use of the different denominations, and that the portion not required for present use would be let, so as to bring in a revenue to assist in keeping the place in order. Whilst speaking of reserves, I would call attention to the fact that the reserve set apart for recreation purposes has been totally neglected. A portion of the section of which this forms a part has been taken by the Provincial Government, who have erected the police station on it; and the General Government have taken a small piece, on which they have erected the Post and Telegraph offices. The Local Board have recently been making marked improvements in the main line of road. The kerbing now almost reaches from one side of the town to the other, and gravel is being laid down on the worst portions of the road. A was held on Monday night for the election of a local school committee, but it was thinly attended. The foil *wing gentlemen were elected for the current year, viz:—Messrs. R. R. Armstrong, W. Hammond, W, Parker, R. Harman, W, Vicker taff, R. Davis, and R. Fairbrother.