TOWN NEWS.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume II, Issue 60, 22 February 1868, Page 3

TOWN NEWS.

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington seems to have gone into a universal holiday, what with the Prince’s anticipated visit, cricket matches, meetings for sports and subscriptions for these purposes, Communities outside must really think that all legitimate operations arc of small importance, and the public at large in a glorious state of independence. However this not being exactly the case, perhaps the most praiseworthy and liberally supported object is the Wellington Benevolent Society. Whatever feelingsa ctuatethe donors, they are certainly most laudable and foremost upon the list are the Governor aud Lady Bowen with their twenty guineas, an act o'f grace very pleasing considering the short time they have been amongst us. They are also endeavoring to raise funds to build a home for the temporary destitute. There was a meeting of the Wellington, Hutt and Wairarapa Railway Sub-Committee to receive and discuss the Engineer’s report of the exploration by the W ainuiomata valley as mentioned in my last. But according to the report published in the “Independent” it would appear that it is altogether impracticable. Perhaps the most short sighted part of the affair was the order given to chain it. Certainly an aud unnecessary expense. However the fanciful fictitious opinions of those whose interest it was to advocate this route are for ever set at rest. If repot tis correct, the Engineers have not been fairly dealt with by the Sub-Committee, the origin appears to spring from those that have the smallest means and.leastbrains. There will be a meeting on Thursday next when this is expected to be righted.

A deplorable accident happened yesterday at the Te Aro Saw Mills. Mr Stewart one of the firm of Greenfield and Stewart, while packing the circular saw in order to make it run true, was drawn in and caught by the saw which broke his right arm and cut all his fingers close to the palm and otherwise injuring the thumb. The courage and fortitude of Mr Stewart upon the occasion was very remarkable for without making the slightest alarm he coolly walked out of the mill, holding the mutilated limb with his left hand, and called out to a man named Waters to go and fetch a cab and drive him to the hospital, and. when the cab was making its way towards the mill, he walked some 200 feet to meet it with a fine collected step. A great amount, of sympathy is felt for the unfortunate man, who is respected by all who know him.

Mr Hitchens, the celebrated billiard player is expected shortly to play a match at the Empire Hotel. Also, the' well known Foley has gone South to bring to Wellington a menagerie' for exhibition on a site hear Osgood’s Hotel and will in all probability pay you a visit.

The ship Blectra was towed out yesterday the 18th. A number of the merchants took a trip in the steamer and at parting when the steamer cast off gave three hearty cheers to the new married captain, John Mowlem. who hath taken himself a wife from the old and respected settler,, Mr Sinclair.

The harbor is full of hustle with its steamers to-day. The Superintendent of Otago and the Hon J Harris returned south in the Taranaki to-day, report saith that he succeeded in getting the government to guaranteed the loan required, therefore his mission has been’successful. I also noticed Messrs J, O’Neill and Haughton sailing away in the same boat oh their ‘ gaol excursion.’ The ship Leichardt from' London arrived last night with 25 passengers all well. She brings a very large and assorted cargo, and is consigned to Messrs Levin & Co.

The Cricket match was won by the Rangitikei eleven \yi}b nine wickets to spare, The

two elevens and friends dine at Osgoods and drink succesa to the conquered and conquerors to-night. The Otago Daily Times” has been trying to write something good concerning the Governor’s reception here and failed in the attempt, and stands corrected by the “ Evening Post." T was glad to hear the opinion of one the wisest heads of Otago, that the Governor was the right man in the rignt place, and that he was not only satisfied but pleased with the ■eception accorded to him, and that the people in return wouid be satisfied with the Governor,

Mr Groves has started for your district, he ms secured considerable encouragement hero .'specially from ?he Superintendent. It is to hoped that the Wairarapa people will do all heir power to assist him.

The following is Mr O’Neill’s report:— Engineer’s Office, Wellington, loth Feb., 1868,

Sir. — l have to report that since the date of my kst report, (January 31st), I have explored the country from the Winui-o-mala Valley to Lake Wairarapa. The track taken by me is shewn by a red line on the accompanying sketch map which I have prepared, akd on which are marked heights and distance at various points. I chaned from the Wainuiomata to Featherston.

Mr. Sinclair, one of the oldest settlers injthe province kindly • volunteered to pioneer the way. I therefore, accompanied by him and a party of men, left his house at Wainuomata, on Thursday, the 6th inst, and arrived at Mr. Barling’s at Lake Wairarapa on Sunday afternoon, the 9th instant, where the party were hospitably received. On Monday we measured the distance from Burlmg’s to Featherston.

On leaving Sinclair’s, we followed a track up the valley to the Wainuiomata for six miles to point marked Aon plan. We then turned to the right and ascended the range keeping on a leading spur, and got on the main ridge, which is about 1900 feet above the sea; followed the main ridge and struck off to the Orongorongo, weTollowed a sidling eastward, to the saddle at the source of the Orongorongo, this saddle is 1850 feet above the sea.

Close to this point on Friday night we camped, and the rain fell in torrents the whole night. On Saturday morning it was still wet, and the bush loaded with water. We proceeded in a north-easterly direction generally. Keeping the ridge as much as possible, until we pitched camp on the side of the range along the Wairongamai river, 1 at an elevation of 2500 feet. On Sunday morning we proceeded to the saddle which divides the Wairongamai from the Pakuratahi, the elevation of the saddle marked B on plan is about 2200 feet, we then ascended the hill to the north of saddle B, at a point 2SOO feet high—and from which there was a splendid and extensive view of the country all around—including Wellington city. From this point (Mount Sinclair) we desended to the Pickeru creek and thence to Burliug’s, On the following day we proceeded to Featherstcn.

The distance from point A at the Wainuiomata to saddle B is five and a-half miles, and from saddle B to Biirling’s, two and five-eights miles, from Burling’s to Featherston, eleven and seven-eights miles. The distance by road from Wellington to Sinclair’s is sixteen miles, making the whole distance by the route, from Wellington to Featherston forty-two miles. The altitudes given are the result of a single set of observations with the aneroid barometer, and are only to he taken as an approximation. During the time I was exploring this route, I saw Mr. Gale, C.E., engaged taking sections of the Lowry Bay range, near the present road, for the purpose of tunnelling, if necessary. By reference to the accompanping section a tunnel is shewn thirty chains long, but the gradient is too steep. Mr. Gale informed me that to have a better gradient, a much larger tunnel would be required and some heavy cuttings would be necessary—hence to get through this Cent range the line would be costly. From Sinclair’s, a line of railway could be easily formed up the Wainuiomata Valley, but the ascent is steep from the creek to the first ridge; from that point the work would be comparatively easy to saddle B, which stands at such an elevation that it would be difficult to continue a line down to the lake, aud I could not see or hear of any easy opening along the lake that would lead to the saddle; still Mr. Sinclair informs me that a good gradient might be got by following round some of the intervening hills between the saddle and the lake at about six miles northwards.

t The timber along the route is composed of rimu, rata, white pine, birch, hainan, and totara, and. The totaras are small, and are found chiefly on the tops of the ranges. I understand that the most of the large tract of country between the Vi ainuiomata and Lake Wairarapa is still “ unsold land.” I have pleasure in expressing my obligaiton to Mr. Sinclair for the able assistance he ■afforded me.—l have, &c, Charles O’Neill.