GREYTOWN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5420, 10 August 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

GREYTOWN.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 8.

The healthy state of our financial position, as shown by the Colonial Treasurer’s Budget, is one, of the most gratifying features it possesses, and will prove to demonstration to the British capitalist the wonderful expansion of this colony’s growth and prosperity. . That is as we all desire it to be. The proposed fiscal changes, however, seem very flat after all we were taught to expect during the late recess. The proposed remission of Customs duties ou certain necessaries is so slight that the lessening of the burden of ’ taxation from the poor man’s shoulders will be barely perceptible ; whilst tho imposition of higher duties on other common articles of use, proposed, perhaps, for the better encouragement of internal industries (which scarcely exist), will counteract, or even outweigh, the slight benefit of the former. The proposal to impose a tax of only one halfpenny ou tho market value of land, deducting improvements, seems a mockery after having listened to the words wbioli fell from the lips ot a Minister, lhat the Government intended to make big landowners “ feel the gentle grip of a land tax.” And, in very truth, it could hardly be more gentle, unless it is reduced to a farthing. To large proprietors, who are paying a special rate of a shilling, besides an ordinary rate of a similar amount, what will a halfpenny be ? We can but suppose that the Government merely wish to introduce the thin end of the wedge, leaving the onus ot driving it in deep to the House itself. The tax ou colonial beer took the brewers by sudden surprise. Our two local manufacturers already announce that in consequence thereof they have raised the price of beer and porter, in bottles and in bulk. 1 was informing an old son of Scotia of this new matter ot excise, as well as of the increased duty on champagne; “ Oo ! aye, but tljey'll no touch the whisky,” he replied with satisfaction. I presume uot, if “ Otago Mac.” has a voice in the matter. The hearts of the managers of the Wairavapa Institute have been made- glad by the receipt of a cheque for £l3O from the Education Board, being its portion of the library grant. With such a handsome douceur many great and needful improvements should be m .de, uot the least of which, I hope, will be a carefully selected addition to the shelves, as well as entire new catalogues printed for distribution to subscribers.

I hear that steady progress is being made with the railway contract between this place and Featherston, and also at Carterton, where they are falling the bush for the line. We are repeatedly told that trains will be running to Featherston in about three weeks’ time, aud though the work is being pushed on night and day, sceptical old settlers say “ that seeing is believing." I hope when the line is op-nsd thus for, when the “iron horse,” having achieved the conquest of the terrible Rimutaka, descends for the first time to our celebrated plains, that the people of Wellington will usher in the event by taking excursion trips to eur side of the hill in the manner suggested by tho Standard and approved ot by the Wellington journals. Onr working men’s new club buildings will probably be opened at the same' time, when it is suggested that invitations should be given to some of your leading men to join us at an inaugural dinner, or whatever description of ceremony may be decided upon. I doubt if any one or either side of the range fully foresees the vast benefits that will accrue in the course of time from the introduction of the railway into the Wairarapa Valley. Our community has just suffered the loss of one ot its young members in Miss Helen Humphries, eldest daughter of an old and respected settler, who has passed away to her eternal rest, after a long and painful illness. She was prior to her loss of health teacher in the public school aud leader in tho choir of St. Luke’s Church, and was much esteemed for her pleasing manners and gentle virtues. Her early death created universal sorrow, which was testified to by the large concourse of adult residents and school children who followed her to the grave, and by all business places being closed.

I have to record the occurrence, at twelve minutes to eight this morning, of an earthquake of the double-shock kind, one following the other in quick succession, preceded by a rumbling noise and followed by smart oscillations. It came from a northerly direction. People object to these visits as unpleasant. I rather like the phenomena now, for they alwavs set me thinking of the internal economy of this planetary sphere. The South Wairarapa ploughing match is announced to take place on the 15tb instaut, at Waihenga.