MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5396, 13 July 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

MASTERTON.

’ (FBOJI OUB OWN COHRESFONDEST.) July 10. ‘At a committee meeting o£ the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral Association held at Carterton to-day, the resignation of the secretary, Mr. B. Brown, was tendered and accepted, and Mr. W. S. Forbes wus appointed in his place. It was stated that the sale of hurdles, sheds, and fencing at Masterton realised £SO, part of whicli sum had to be paid to the Masterton Park, trustees, Pout tenders were received for' clearing five of the ten acres recently purchased by the association ; the lowest was that of Mr. Birstowe at £52 10s. The decision oh the matter was postponed until the 26th ihst. -A ploughing match will be held at Te Ore VSfioo Wednesday, July 17, at Mr. Cave’s, The committee have met with great success in raising subscriptions, nearly £IOO haying been promised, besides some valuable special prizes. Several Wellington firms, well known for their ... liberality, have, I hear, offered some special prizes, Xtjs very probable that there will be a balance in hand after, paying all expenses, and in that case it is likely that a Farmers’ Club will be formed in Masterton, which ; will takb the future ploughing matches in hand. Bach an institution would be welcomed by the farmers, and friends of agriculture, and would be of good service to the district. A meeting of the new school committee was held on Monday, when Mr. Holmes Crayne was. appoihtcd chairman, and Mr. B. Brown secretary’and treasurer. It was decided to recommend the appointment of Mr. Collins, of Palmerston, as assistant master to the Masterton school, provided the Education Board are •satisfied as to his qualifications. The headp,was asked to obtain particulars of the working of the Eangitikei Association, with a •view to forming a similar one for the Wairarapa, and holding an annual examination in the Valley,' at which good prizes would be competed for. It was decided by the committee to hold meetings on the second Monday in each •month. The subject of a savings bank for the -.scholars was discussed, and it-was resolved to •obtain further information of the working of .similar institutions elsewhere. An agitation is on foot to get the borough divided into wards. A meeting is being called for that purpose to-ir>orrow. The convener of the meeting is stated to bo a non-ratepayer, and the whole affair appears to mo to be on tho hole-and-corner principle, tho bills calling the meeting only inviting the inhabitants of one part of the borough, and that in au out-of-the-way .spot. At a meeting of tho Borough Council to-day it was stated that a gentleman had offered to raise tho special loan of £BOOO in England, the Bank of New Zealand not having succeeded in floatin'' it in Australia. Tho offei- was accepted, Tho borrowing powers so munificently granted in the Municipal Corporations Act of 1876 seem to mo'to bo a perfect farce so long as the rate of interest is limited to seven per cent > aI1(1 everts will probably ho made by the Municipal League to have tho clause amended, or to induce the Government to borrow in the Home market, and re-lond to • • the municipalities. It transpired at a recent meeting, of the Borough Council that one of the new by-laws provided that “ no person shall light a fire in the Borough of Masterton.” The Colonial Secretary desired it to be amended by, adding the words, “except In a properly constructed fireplace.” Bather warm for this ?old •weather! " The Mayor of Masterton; ih company with tbrce other gentlemen, plot with au awkward accident whilst returning from Carterton today, They were driving along tho road in a fcuggy at a brisk pace, when suddenly a shaft-

bolt came out, aud the shaft swinging against tho horses, caused them to start off, and tho buggy was upset, pitching the occupants nut violently. The driver, Mr. Walter B?own, was picked up insensible, but a liberal application of cold water speedily brought him round. Tho other occupants escaped with some cuts aud bruises. Another buggy boing close at hand, the party was brought home not much the worse for the spill. There have been several attempts to form a firo brigade in Masterton, but from some cause or other each has proved a failure. One noticeable fact is the utter-apathy of the insurance companies, who although they have au immense interest at stake do not seem inclined to encourage the formation of a brigade here. There is an entire absence of any means for extinguishing a fire should one break out here, and the chances'are greatly in favor of such an occurrence iu a town of wooden buildings. So mer or later the insurance companies may be heavy losers, and they will then regret their indifference in the matter.