MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5500, 12 November 1878, Page 3

MASTERTON.

(from a correspondent.) The funeral of the late Mrs. Charles Dixon took place on Tuesday. A very large number of people from different parts of the district and from Wellington testified their respect to the deceased lady by following her remains to the grave. All the business places in the town were closed, and the place presented a very dull appearance. The late Mrs. Dixon was highly esteemed, and her death, which will be severely felt amongst a large circle of relatives and friends, makes another gap in the list of old settlers. The County Council elections do not seem to excite much interest in the Wairarapa. In most of the ridings the number nominated has b en equal to the number of vacancies, and in one riding—Featheratou—no nominations were made. There will he a contest for Castlepoint Riding, East County, the candidates being Menars. Butters, J. V. Smith (new), Mauusell, :»nrl Wingate (retiring councillors). There are three vacancies to he filled there. In the Carterton Riding of West County there are three candidates for two vacancies, viz., Messrs W. Booth, J. R. Fairbrother (late councillor), and Burton Boys. For the M »stertoa Riding four have been nomiua ed, Messrs. D, P. Perry, D. Donald, T. H. Murr.iy, and F. G. Moore, for two vacancies. Neither of the candidates for the latter riding has yet called a meeting of ratepayers, but probably this will bo done soon. This riding is in the County West, and it is important to the district that the two best men should be chosen, as about the last act of the Council was to bring the Counties Act into force (after muddling about for a year), and there are some important public works to bo undertaken, notably the erection of a bridge over the Ruamahunga River on the Forty Milo Bush road, for which Government has voted a sum of money. Tbo Borough Council has appointed a valuator for the not very munificent sum of £.35, and the work of preparing the new valuation will be commenced at once. There can be no doubt that a considerable increase will be visible in the value of property, as the number of new and handsome buildings erected during the past year and the rise in price of freehold land have been something out of the common. It is rumored that consequent upon the death of Mrs. 0. Dixon, the whole of the splendid property leased by Mr. John Drummond from Mrs. Dixon’s executors has to bo sold in accordance with tho will of the late Mr. Dixon. If this should prove correct there is no doubt that high prices will bo realised, as tho land is of excellent quality and splendidly situated. If itcould have been put in tho market earlier I believe it would have been plentifully dotted over with houses ere this, lor it is right in the heart of tbe town; HayetJ and Benhamo'o circus, which per*

formed here on Saturday night, wa-« -rammer to ov.ofl uvini' ; bat \vh it in the name of good ness induces people to rush-to an indiffereri; c reus t - hear stale ] kes is more, than I car fathom. The “ woman with the iron jaw” mav have been an attraction, hut if I mistake not, too much jaw has not always been considered a blessing, especially when run by a woman. The town h just now exercised on the subject of the coining election for the Mayoralty. Three candidates have been named, and the\ are Mr. D. McGregor. Mr. A. W. Bussell, and Mr. J. Russell, The first named gentleman has received a requisition, which he has replied to, signifying his intention to stand. The second has also received a requisition, which he has not yet replied to, but it is believed certain he will contest the election. The latter has not made any sign, although some of his friends have tried hard to jjefe him to come forward. The personal freuds of the two first are confident of success, but it is just possible that one party has made a miscalculation. That’s the only way I see out of the difficulty. Public meetings are being actively discussed, and will no doubt soon be epidemic. Tf there’s one thing Masterton men like more than another it is a jolly good tongue-banging, and they may be gratified now.