FEATHERSTON.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 298, 24 October 1879, Page 2

FEATHERSTON.

■& (fhom OUR OWN correspondent) October 23, 1879. Matters in general are very quiet with us just now, Our coal seam on Mrs Barton's land remains untried, and there is no fresh news from the quaitz reef. Prospectors think that they are not sufficiently protected by tho Government under the present regulation, and would rather have had the Rimutaka proclaimed a mining district. Were tho Government to lay out a few hundred pounds to' test the matter, I think it would prove a source of revenue to the colony and greatly advance the whole district.

The Church of England, after being closed for nearly three months through the ill health of the reader, was again opened on Sunday evening last by the Bishop of Wellington, The night was very uncomfortable, but a goodly number assembled to hear his lordship, who gave an extempore address on the morning's gospel. I believe it is at last settled that a clergyman is to be placed in this district. An arrangement is also on foot to secure a more central site for a church. There are two acres belonging to the church at the back of the Royal Hotel, which the synod will probably allow to be sold and the money laid out in the more central and desirable allotment next to the school acre.

A soiree is to be given in the new school room on Monday evening next, and as the admission will be reasonable and the object (school fund) a good one, we may expect a goodly number to indulge in the light fantastic for a few hours on the occasion.

A number of excellent works have been added to our library this week, which will make it more attractive, Several complaints have been made against the previous selection, but I think the fault has been more in the ability and taste of the containers than anything else. A library that contains complete works of Carlisle, Dickens, and Thackeray, together with works of modern travel and adventure, cannot be deemed to hold nothing worth reading. But if the public thivsfc for the yellow backs is so great, the Committee must allow thorn a place on the shelves. I am sorry that that the sale at the Wairarapa Yards was a failure yesterday, Some four or five hundred sheep were put in for sale, but the bidding was so low that none were sold. Wellington butchers complain that they cannot depenc 1 on the yards for stock ; if they could they would patronise it more. If more encouragement is given to stock holders, by doing away with the rather heavy entrance, or reducing it to a mere nominal amount, it might have the effect of inducing settlers to send more regularly to the yards, and buyers would come with more confidence.