WAIRARAPA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5407, 26 July 1878, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(FROM' our own correspondent.) Greytown, July 24.

This week will be remembered as a calamitous one iu the annals of the Wairarapa. As you have already been fully informed by telegraph, Masterton has again been the victim of a destructive conflagration, which had there been a moderate breeze blowing would in all probability have laid half the town in ashes. The insurance* companies will be heavy losers; it is to be hoped that they will henceforth consider it to their mutual advantage to encourage the formation of a fire brigade, with a substantial subsidy. In every rising township like Masterton, where valuable buildings are being erected, some such organisation should exist, and should be fostered by tho insurance companies, whose interests, as well as those of the property owners, they would protect. Another unfortunate event is the fatal accident in tho Rumahunga River on Monday, whereby two men lost their lives. In the course of my correspondence in your columns I have referred to some of those material wants which, in my humble opinion, are most necessary to be supplied, so as to advance the interests and prosperity of this community. In its issue of Tuesday, however, the Standard has a sub-leader in which it explains its reason for'abstaining from discussing those vital questions. A committee has been appointed to make final arrangements for holding the South Wairarapa. ploughing match, which will probably como off on Mr. Bidwill’s property, near Waihenga. I understand ample subscriptions will be obtained, and that the affair will prove very successful. , " . The Council of Wairarapa County East is clamorous for its neighbor to bo “up and doing,” and take action regarding the offer of the Government to expend £6OOO towards bridging the Ruamahunga. Wairarapa County West does nob appear to be, stirring in the matter as yet. A pretty good set of scenery has been added to the stage of the Greytown Town Hall, which was much needed as a necessary and effective aid to histrionic displays. .