A MONTHLY MARKET.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 7, 16 February 1867, Page 3

A MONTHLY MARKET.

In a country district the market and the newspaper are essential to each other. A market without a newspaper is u like a pump without a bundle;” a newspaper without a market is like a well without water. The newspaper informs the public what there is for sale at the market, the market supplies the newspaper with the kind of food essential to its healthy existence. Neither can live alone, and both mutually support each other. We are speaking of a country market and a country newspaper, and we deem it best to be candid on the sub'ect. We are interested in the successful establishment of a monthly market in the Wairarapa. The public also are interested in its successful establishment, and wearesurprised that so long a time has elapsed, after the establishment of a newspaper in the district, without any steps being taken to open a market. The Hutt market does not meet our requirements. That is all very well for the disposal of local property, and of stock sent there to be sold without reserve; but it does not and cannot meet the wants of this side the Province. There must be a market for stock and produce in the Wairarapa from which stock may be driven home if not sold, or placed there in paddocks at a moderate charge. To send stock from the Wairarapa for sale at the Hutt is to put ourselves at the mercy of buyers, or the mercy of paddock owners whose charges would be ruinous on stock remaining there till next market day.

The advantages which would be conferred on the town where the market is held are so obvious that we are surprised no action has been taken relative to this matter. To ourselves it does not matter whether the market be held at Masterton, Greytown, or Featherston, at Carterton or Tauherenikau. The place offering- the greatest inducements ought to have the preference. To publicans, and storekeepers, and owners of town acres, the place where the market is to be established is a matter of importance, and for this reason we would rather the public decided this point for us than that we should decide it for them. We will allow them a fortnight longer to send in their decision. In the meantime we shall be happy to publish any suggestions or remarks on the subject with which we may be favored.