FEATHERSTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 281, 4 October 1879, Page 2

FEATHERSTON.

[prom our own correspondent]. • October 3, 1879. Our Rimutaka Blackbirds have recovered from their moulting fit, and are again commencing to warble forth their sweet notes. The weather, however, has been unfavoiable for their first entertainment and also for its postponement, but I hope their next attempt will be more successful. Local bodies are always well received in Featherston, and no doubt with the increased talent that has come into the place of late the' Black birds will come off with ecldt.

We have in our midst an old srldier and mihliiimaii, who seems not to have been very well served at the hands of the Government. I allude to Mr McKeever, a man of niickle renown. Mr McKeever served in the Waikato War for nearly three years. He was discharged, however, some three months before the three years expired, and so lost the grant of laud which would have been his due had that time been served. He is once more petitioning Parliament to acknowledge his claim. Before his arrival in Nev Zealand Mr McKeever was a soldier. He served in the Royal Artillery in England as early as 1801, and was present at the burial of the Prince Consort. He entered the New Zealand service soon after and was engaged iu boiiic of the principal tights with the Maories. After the war he formed a company of Volunteers in the Canterbury district, [called the Royal Irish. I enclose a copy of his petition and wish him the success ho deserves, for up to the present he has come off witli monkey's allowance, notwithstanding all the blows he may have given to the enemies of his Queen :

To the Hon. the House of Representatives, . Gentlemen-Youi- petitioner, Wm, McKeever, of Featherston, requests tlat his claim for fifty acres of land in the Waikato, on account of military service, be again considered; said petitioner not being satisfied with the different reports presented by the Petitioners' Committee. Your petitioner begs That'

| he serif during the whsf of the and .Wnganui war, 18GG, v |nd obtained thejtN.Z, war medal; 2nd. That your petitioner was legally discharge]! at Wanganui some three months before the expiration of the necessary three years, his services being, no longer required. And, 3rd, that the time of such discharge would not disqualify him for receiving the grant due to one who had served' his full three years. Your petitioner therefore considers himself justly entitled to receive the grant due to him for full service. In conclusion your petitioner humbly begs a favorable con-j sideration of his request.—And will ever! pray, &c, "i W. MoKeevjH At half-past eight last night jflßwl " Fire! Fire!" were heard- from tfflfvelT ern end of the township, and Rtber's Yictoria Hotel was found to be itifeimes. All effoits to keep down the raginglof the fire proved useless, and there was every fear that the Bank of Australasia would soon be in flames, and so communicate with the whole row of houses. The crowd then centred their efforts to save the bank, but at times the flames from the hotel nearly reached it. Frequently it wa:, in flames, and as soon as seen put out. The heat became so intense that few could continue their efforts, but to the great credit of that few, who, wiled in wet blankets, stuck to their work, the bank was at last saved from the fire, although otherwise destroyed in the attempt. This rtopped the fire, and saved, perhaps, a quarter of Featherston, Mr William Cundy's stores were saved by means of blankets and a good supply of water. Fortunately nothing was removed from these premises, so he sustains no loss. Not, so, however, with Messrs Gilpin and Pardon, whose goods were rapidly cleared out and carried mostly to the Oddfellows' Hall; but their loss from damage alone must be great. Faber's Hotel-was insured for £7OO in favor of Caselberg, the owner of the building. lam not aware of the insurance on the furniture, some of which was saved, but considerably damaged. The bank was also insured. Gilpm and Pardon were insured for £1250, but as their premises were not burned there is the doubt whether they can recover. Great credit is due to Messrs Grealet, Feast, Steffert, Matthews, and many others for the way they gave their assistance,