LOCAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 17, 27 April 1867, Page 3

LOCAL NEWS.

The Panama Mail.— Will our contemporaries give a wider publicity to the fact than we are in a position to do, that Cobb’s Coach has brought the news of the arrival at Wellington of the Panama Mail, but the Mail itself has not been brought by the same conveyance to this district ? Though coaches leave Wellington for the Wairarapa four times a week, we have only a bi-weekly mail between Wellington and the Wiararapa. Seeing the large

amount of public money that is expended on the mail service, it is not too much to ask the Government to forward the English Mail to this large and important district by the first coach which leaves Wellington after its arrival.

Masterton Rifle Volunteers. —The following appointments in this corps have been gazetted:—Lieutenant Robert Hare to be Captain; Ensign Walter Perry to he Lieutenant, and Brown Hunt, Esq., to be Ensign; the commissions to date from the 2(jth February. ■ Native Land Court. The next sitting of the Native Land Court is appointed to take place at Featherstou, on the 7th August. Much dissatisfaction has been expressed with reference to the delay which has already taken place in the holding of the court, and also as to the place in which it is appointed to be held. The natives complain that Featherston is a very inconvenient place for them, not only because it is not la a central position, but because of the difficulty in obtaining accommodation there, both for themselves and their horses. We understand that they have written to Auckland to request that the Court on its opening be adjourned to the Court House, Greytown. While on this subject we may state, for public information, that a considerable number of licensed surveyors have for some time past been engaged in surveying native lands, and that there is at last a prospect of some of the choicest spots in the valley being thrown open for lease or sale. The delay in holding the Court will consequently prove alike prejudicial to the native owners, and to the best interests of the district. Native Land’s Office. —We notice that Mr. Maunsell has opened an office for the convenience of those interested in the purchase or leasing of native lands, next to Mr. Gallagher’s, Greytown.

Carterton Meeting. —We remind our subscribers on the Taratahi and at Carterton, that a meeting relative to the establishment of an Agricultural Association will held at the School-room, Carterton, this evening.

Easter Monday. —Easter Monday was celebrated by a Tea Party and Ball in the Grcytown School-room. The tea party was but thinly attended, but the ball-room was too crowded. Dancing commenced about eight o'clock, and was kept up without intermission until four o'clock the next morning. A quadrille baud was in attendance, and the refreshments were provided by Mr. Alex. Grigg, which gave general satisfaction. This ball afforded another proof of the necessity for a larger room in Greytown for dancing and other public purposes; and we trust that this will shortly be procured by the “Wairarapa Public Hall Company.”

Sir George Grey a Provincalist. —We direct the attention af Mr. Julius Vogel, and other new-comers and separationists to the despatches written by His Excellency Sir George Grey to the colonial office recommending a form of constitution for New Zealand, from which they will see that His Excellency was always a thoroughgoing provincalist. We direct the attention of our reade> s to the following remarks of His Excellency at Marlborough, from which they will see that he is still a provincialist. He said, that he firmly believed it was one of the greatest boons that could be given to the people to be allowed to choose their own Superintendents. (Loud cheers). It opened a great field for the ambition of youths, and would cause them to so educate themselves as to be able to fill those high positions. (Hear, hear). It had also the high aim of securing the love and attachment of the people to the country, and by educating such a race of men they educated the country. He had exerted himself to the utmost to carry out those institutions. They have been carried out, and he never regretted the part he took. (Cheers.)