GREYTOWN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5468, 5 October 1878, Page 3

GREYTOWN.

(KEOM ODR OWN COMIB3PONDENT.) : October 4. A change haa just occurred in tho proprietory of the Wairardjpa Standard, Messrs. Wakelin and Payton having dissolved partnership by mutual consent. , The Standard will bo continued as heretofore by Mr. Wakelin, under his sole management. It is said that Mr. Payton contemplates establishing a journal under his own auspices, at either one of tho Wairarapa townships, but I give this as mere gossip at present, since I have no authentic information regarding tho rumor. In Tuesday’s issue of the 'Free Press there was a spirited leader on < an attempt that has been made to excite rival prejudices and jealousies between the different townships. In alluding to, the late railway agitation at Greytown, it terms the movement ‘1 a grand' and successful struggle ; and, generally, the Press has spoken' of tho affair in an encouraging and congratulatory manner. : This testifies what I stated on a previous occasion, that to grant a branch lino Of railway to Grey-

town would give satis faction totlie Wairarapa as a whole ; therefore I applaud the Free Press for its neighborly .expressions of goodwill. The Opening Celebration Committee decided at its last meeting to invite the whole of the Legislature now assembled in Wellington, and to provide the necessary accommodation for so many guests, who are expected to gather to the number of four hundred, a large shed ia to. be temporarily erected at Featheraton. The committee feel rather sore, X believe, at the intention also arrived at in Wellington to take steps there for the celebration of the railway extension into our valley, aa they regard it in the light of a counter attraction, which will probably mar the thorough success of the Wairarapa . demonstrations. I trust, however, such will not be the .case ; but that, on. the contrary,* we shall receive as large an influx of city visitors as has been anticipated from the first. I understand the Artillery Band will give a concert in the Town Hall at Grey town during their stay. This will be an unexpected treat. Besides this, two or three other troupes announce their intended appearance during the same week, from all of which we may conclude we will have a merry time of it. The melancholy end of Mr. S. J. Stedman, who was'found drowned in a creek near Carterton, points a sad moral, and shows how a man possessing a liberal education and great talents can be forced step by step into utter degradation by giving way to habits of intemperance. At one time, having the of a gentleman, undoubted abilities, and with every prospect of a fine career in a learned profession, he lost all, as well as self-respect and the esteem of his fellows, because he had not the moral courage nor the strength of will to meet disappointments and failures, but like scores of other really promising though weak men, could find no other comfort except in the arms of the demon of drink. Another fatal accident occurred near Greytown last Saturday, when a little boy, son of Charles Morris, fell into a stream and was drowned. His brother, who was with him, screamed for help, but before assistance could reach him the little fellow had met his death, I regret to announce the death of Mrs. Mauasell, wife of G. S. Maunsell, Esq., of Waihakeke, late native agent. The deceased lady was ill but a few days; her death was quite unexpected to her friends, by whom she will be much missed for her kindly disposition, Mrs. Maunsell was a sister of your popular fellow-citizen Mr.J. Maginnity. I fear my budget contains a go.od deal of the dismal and fghoatly this week. The mutability of human affairs will sometimes oblige us to be pleasant or gay in tone at one time, at another lachrymose, and I am grieved, that the present record flows in the latter direction. The Education Board has at last decided to erect a new residence for the head master of this school. Though coming so late, and after so much representation, the act is none the less gracious and satisfactory; therefore I say, for this and other small mercies let those concerned be truly thankful. The Board, or Mr. Leo, collectively or severally, are not so bad after all. The entire horse parade on Saturday was tolerably good, though there were fewer exhibits than last your. The breeds were of a high class, and speak well for the Wairarapa.