WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5401, 19 July 1878, Page 5

WAIRARAPA.

(from odb own correspondent.) Gretiown, July 17.

I pointed out in my last communication that our greatest desideratum was the opening up of some large tracts of fertile lands, now in the hands of neighboring tribes of Maories. This want is felt to affect the progress of Greytown so much that it is seriously contemplated to organise a company for the - purpose' of connecting it by tramway with the main trunk line of railway on the one side, and on the other, side to construct another branch line into a large and important wool producing district a few miles from here, thereby bringing good country into easy access of this town. The step would be taken under the provisions of the District Railway Act; but the proposers of the scheme, before taking any positive action in that direction, are waiting .till the borough of ftreytown is un fait accompli, in order to proceed under the greater influence of that Corporation. I have not heard lately what progress towards fruition the latter is making. A short time ago the committee of the Wairarapa (Greytown) Hospital obtained from the Government the gift of two of the useless immigrants' cottages, which are now being removed and attached to the main building, for conversion into fever wards. This will be a valuable improvement to that institution, particularly as the want of additional accommodation has often been sorely felt by the management. I have ascertained from good sources that Featherston has been selected as the town in which Judge Mansford will hold his sittings of the-Wairarapa District Courts. How far this information is to bo relied upon I cannot say; but if such is to be the case, it would cause intense dissatisfaction to litigants from , the upper part of the Valley, who would find themselves compelled to travel, often from a great distance, to the extreme end of the district, in order to attend the Courts. Ido not wish to set forth the superior claims of any township, but certainly a more central one ought to be chosen.

The W. M. of the Greytown Lodge of Freemasons is in a state of mental disquietude over the mysterious abstraction of the symbolic sword of the lodge. They have just incurred considerable expense in thoroughly fitting up their new room at the Working Men's Club; but where the sword has vanished to no one can explain. It has been jocularly asked which of our newly-appointed volunteer officers, in a sudden fit of military enthusiasm, has laid unholy hands upon that sacred weapon. The weather to-day was splendid for the Masterton ploughing match, which came off very successfully. I have not had time to obtain particulars, A similar affair is intended to take place shortly at Tauherenikau, as an encouragement to the South Wairarapa. The action of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association in selecting Carterton as; a permanent site for their annual shows gave' great offence to people at both ends of the Valley, the con-' sequence being the starting 'of these minor independent movements. It is very probable that a separate association will bo created, and that shows will be held both in the Upper and Lower Valley, in order to save breeders the necessity of travelling such great distances with their exhibits as they would do to meet at Carterton.

The volunteers have decided upon dark blue cloth, with scarlet facings, as materials for their uniforms, subject, I presume, to the approval of the Militia Office. Seventy-five rifles, with accoutrements, have been applied for, with which to arm the company.