LOCAL NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 38, 23 September 1867, Page 3

LOCAL NEWS.

Death or Mb. H. Thomas.—We regret to have to record the death of Mr H. Thomas, landlord of the “Greytown Anns,” who died last evening from the effects of a severe cold. He leaves a wife and three children, together •with many relatives and friends with .vhom we sympathise in their affliction.

A Wesleyan “Bee.” — A “bee" in Canada is the assembling of all the settlers in the vicinity to-make a clearing for and put up a new-comers “ log'cabin.” It would be well if the practice were introduced here. The Wesleyan* of Greytown and its vicinity adopted

this plan with regard to the fencing-in of their Church acre yesterday, when the rapid way a four rail rail fence was erected round the acre was both novel and cheering. A substantial dinner was provided for the workman, and in tlis evening a tea-party wa-bellto which their wives, children or sweethearts were invited. The liberal spirit displayed by the Wesleyans on this occasion might not only be advantageously imitated by other sects, bat for other purposes. After the tea-party, a meeting was held, Mr Poole, of Tauherenikau, was voted to the chair, when the following resolution was unanimously agreed to;— Proposed by Mr Hall and seconded by Mr H. Udy, sen,, “ That application be made to retain Mr Rishworth as minister at the usual salary for a married minister; and also, that the V airarapa be constituted a separate circuit.” This resolution was supported by several speakers, wbo all bore testimony to his great zeal and the large amount of good which hud resulted from his ministration in this district.

Sale. —On Tuesday, at noon, Constable Butler sold a horse, trap and harness by auction, seized by virtue of a warrant, in the case Pattison v. Downs, for the sum of £l2. Previous to the sale Mr Downs read a protest, a copy of which he handed to the Constable.

Cricket Meeting. —We direct the attention of the Greytown cricketers to an advertisement calling a meeting for Wednesday evening next, at the “ Rising Sun.”

Mastebton Road Board. — The usual monthly meeting of this Board took place last Saturday. The only business which came before it was an application from Mr W. Bennett to be allowed to put up swing gates on the road abutting Ms property, which the Board considered it had the power to grant under the provisions of the “ District Highway’s Act," and the request was accordingly gramed. Greytown Road Board. — A meeting of the Wardens will be held at the “ Rising Sun ” at two o’clock, and we hope that at last an effort will be made to secure the advantages of local government and a portion of the provincial revenue for this extensive and important district.

Carterton Road Meeting.— We remind all persons interested of the meeting to be held this afternoon at the School-house, Carterton, for the purpose of electing a Board of Wardens.

Morrison’s Bush— lt will be seen that tenders are invited for the formation of the road leading from Morrison’s Bush to Greytown, and as this road is the main highway through the valley, we trust that the work will he at once proceeded with. Cricket.— WearegladtoVall attention to the challenge in our advertising columns on this subject, as we should much like to see this outdoor recreation promoted. Wairarapa Cavalry. —A meeting was held last Saturday of persons desirous of joining the Cavalry, when twenty-one Volunteers were sworn in by Captain Donald who attended for the purpose.

Wairarapa Public Hall. —A general meeting of the shareholders in this company was held at the school-house, Greytown, on Saturday last when the report of the Provisional Directors was adopted, and the following committee of management elected:— Messrs G. Beetham, A. J, Skipper, E. Grigg, R. Wakelin, T, Kempton sen., E.Walker and W. R. Hastwell. Messrs Moles and Lucas were_ appointed auditors, Mr. T. Kempton was appointed Treasurer and Mr E- Grigg, Secretary. It was announced that 175 shares had been taken. A long discussion relative to the site of the Hall then ensued, resembling, though in minature, that which formerly disturbed the country relative to the seat of government; one party advocating the central situation, another advocating the cheapest procurable without regard to position. It was ultimately resolved that appplication should be made to Mr C. R. Carter, the Trustee of the Greytown reserves, for the grant of a (piece of land for the purpose, and in the event of the application not being successful, the Committee were instructed to accept the lowest tender, regard being had to the suitability of the site for the object desired. We trust now that no more delay will take place in the matter, so that at least the shell of the buil ling may be ready before the Christmas holidays.

Church or England.—A meeting; of the members of the Church of England was held at the Greytown School room on Thursday evening, for the purpose of considering the steps which should be taken to have part of the cemetery reserve set aside for a Church of of England Cemetery. H. T. Spratt, Esq. occupied the chair, and the Rev. A. Knell feelingly set forth the necessity for at once securing the object for which the meeting was convened. The present state of the Cemetery was not such as was desirable. A memorial to the trustees requiring them to grant five acres of the reserve fcr a Church of England Cemetery was adopted, and a committee appointed to collect subscriptions to defray the expences of fencing and improving the portion that will be granted. No less than £25 was at once subscribed, and there is no reason therefore to apprehend that the requisite funds will not be forthcoming. A resolution was passed appointing the Rev. A. Knell, Treasurer of. the Cemetery fund; and another, to the effect, that all persons willing to assist in clearing the Church acre are requested to meet on the acre at 8 a.m,, on' Tuesday and Wednesday the Ist and 2nd proximo, for that purposed. A number of volunteers were enrolled on the spot.

Confiscated Lands. — A great deal has been said about the ruinous policy of 1863 ; but that policy never had fair play. Much has been said about the merciful character of Sir George Grey; but the surgeon who undertakes to amputate a mortified leg must be firm and not temporizing, or he might leave the leg but half amputated, which is the case with the “ native difficulty.” Much, too, has been said about the unproductive character of the confiscated land, but that land would have realized a large revenue had it been honestly dealt with. Her? what Mr Carleton says on the subject,—“ There was a time when these lands were of considerable value. I can very well recollect the time when there was half a million of money lying idle in the town of Auckland for investment in the Waikato lands, when money was scarcely to be had on mortgage, seeing that all was rampant with the desire of speculating in those lands—a time when the Province would have been willing to give up those profits for the sake of the settlement of the country; but through the action taken by Governor and Government the Waikato scheme has, gone to ruin.”

I Major Richardson v. Runholdie s, —In the Legislative Council, in reply to an attack made upon him by Mr Holmes, Major Richardson said: —He was not open to the animadversions of the hon member. As to his having refused to sell land he could appeal to several runholders around him as to whethei, during his whole public life, he had not above all others, been known for his desire to declare hundreds and encourage seaboard settlements. Why, when he went to Oamaru, and got into the same room with four or five runholders, he had almost to fight for his very life on that account, and had it not been for the great vitality of Superintendents he doubted whether he should have survived the six hours combat.” We learn two facts from this brief extract; that runholders abound in the Legislative Council, and that they as a body “ know which side their bread is buttered.”