MASTERTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5535, 23 December 1878, Page 3

MASTERTON.

(FROM A 00RRE3P0NDENT.)

Earners in the neighborhood of Masterton ought to feel content just now, for never before did their crops promise such an abundant yield of grain as they do now. In many cases the growth of straw has been so extraordinary that the fences are almost completely hidden; nor is this the only proof of good growth, for in nine cases out'of ten the heads are unusually full and even. Seasonable spring rains have made all the difference, and tho early growth covered tho ground so thoroughly that the subsequent dry weather had but little effect. There is every reason to believe that the acreage under crop exceeds that of last year; and if this be the cr.so there should be a surplus for disposal outside of the district. The crops on the coast are also reported to be looking well, despite the want of rain there, and several hundred tons of grain will probably find their way from there to Wellington. Harvesting will probably commence about Christmas,

Tho hay season is nearly over, and farmers are well satisfied with the quantity as well as tho quality. The excess over last year’s crop should he fully one hundred tons. In this there is abundant proof that landholders have come to tho conclusion that land in the neighborhood of an important, inland town is too valuable to be used merely for grazing purposes, as has been done here .to within a year or two. Sheep have therefore been considerably reduced wherever the land was found fit for the plough—in many cases too much so to agree with the most profitable working. Tho weather has been very oppressive, and one js forcibly reminded of an Australian summer. During tho past fortnight tho thermometer has ranged up to 90 pretty regularly, and on several occasions it registered up to 92 in the shade and that with an overcast sky. Tho recent addresses of our representatives have not made much of an impression, and tho reflective portion of the electors wonder how they were let off so easy—for that both cannot be right is as clear as day. Mr. Bunny was careful to assure ns that ho had never differed from his colleague on any subject in which the district was directly interested, and this, combined with a careful evasion of tender subjects, pulled him through. I think it is a mistake for members who represent our. district, and hold opposite views in the House, to call such meetings together. The only adyantage

gained is that the electors get through tho thing with one meeting ; but on the other hand there are many drawbacks.. In the fir. t place, tho proceeding, on the part of the representatives at least, looks like a sort of political good fellowship, and-as such gives an indirect promise of unity in the future ; while in the second, no time is allowed to discuss their views separately, or te pass resolutions for or against one or the other. The result generally is that no opinion is expressed, and that only a lukewarm vote of thanks is passed. I feel sure that the straightforward and manly way in which Mr. Beetbam explained his actions would have secured votes of confidence right through had he not been hampered by Mr. Bunny; and that gentleman in his turn would have found considerably difficulty in explaining the very sinuous track he has followed since his last election.

Judging by the manner in which the Survey Department carries out its work in this district I should conclude that there is some difficulty in finding work for tho whole of the staff. It is not an unusual thing to shift a surveyor some forty or fifty miles away, and set another to do work which the former could have done without shifting camp. Then I notice that some of the lower ranges of tho Tararua havo been laid off in small sections. A chain road has been laid up the Mungatorere River (a tributary of the Waingawa) to the very foot of Mount Holdsworth, and the roadway takes up nearly half of all tho flat land that there is. The.hills arc barren and covered with black birch. Nothing bub the discovery of large deposits of minerals will ever induce settlors to live there.

The progress of the railway works requires the immediate attention of the Government. The present staff of men would probably complete the line from Featherston to Mastertoa (22 miles) by the end of the century. It is doubt-, less difficult to get men; shearing is in full awing, and absorbs a large amount of labor. There is the prospect of an early harvest, which will keep farm hands employed; but that is after all no excuse, for there are parts of the colony where navvies could be obtained at the usual rates.