WHAREAMA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 550, 24 August 1880, Page 2

WHAREAMA.

[from our own correspondent] August 18,1880. During the last week we have experienced some very stormy weather, and on Monday evening we had a rather severe hailstorm. This winter seems! to have been peculiarly wet, and the roads have suffered in proportion, On Sunday week we were again visited by the Rev J, Dukes, and, in spite of the inclemency of the weather,-a very fair congregation mustered. lam sorry to say that no other clergyman has, as yet, followed Mr Dukes' example. . I see that you announce in one of your late issues that St. Matthew's Ohurch is about to be under the temporary charge of aMr Page. I suppose this is the Rev. AY. E. Paige, late of Ashburton, Canterbury, and formerly of Templeton cum Prebbleton, in the same diocese. Though uot knowing Mr Paige personally, I can vouch for the fact that he was universally respected in both of the above parishes, and I can heartily congratulate the congregation ,of St, Matthew's on the the prospect of Mr Paige settling amongst them.

The contractor for the additions to the Hotel has: not commenced work, as, although the timber is lying at Castlepoint, the state of the roads will not allow of its being brought on to Tenui, Mr Maunsell's new woolshed is almost finished, and really presents a very respectable appearance, being quite a feature in the landscape. The lambing season has now com menced, although the weather is anything but propitious, and must be considerably trying to the little creatures'. lam afraid the increase per cent, on the flocks about here will be low this year, though I trust I may be mistaken. The feed on the hills ibj for the time of year, very fair, and the next month or six weeks ought to improve it considerably.' ' "' In the valley you-.appear to be m uch exercised on the matter of railways. In this .part of the country the, prevailing opinion (possibly a eelfish orie) is that it would be far better for the country at large if the construction of railways were set aside for some time,-and the country •provided with good metalled roads. We are •adly

Ae eyes of the authoritieaj sink into insig- y. .mficance before - those of ; mor&,.populous district, feel sure the real good of New Zealand would [be; far better • studied by shelving, for'at': least; thisela-' borate railway scheme. . = Of .what possible good to the revenue of-the country, or of what-benefit to any but those: living alongside, can such lines as that from Nelson to Foxhill bet I feel sure the money wasted on this " toy" had been • fur- better expended iu. opening up the : country with good roads. lam much < afraid, the colony is " going a-head" too • fast, -v.:v.