The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 1882.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1000, 15 February 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 1882.

Provincialism when it was cremated left the Wairarapa West County Council a magnificent legacy in the shape of the Great North-East road line, stretching from the summit of the Rimutaka to the Manawatu, The County, however, did not appreciate the legacy, having no income available for maintaining it in repair, and by declining tc proclaim it a County road, left the onus of keeping it open on the Government, There is a beautiful circumlocution about our local government, and probably few people know which thimble the Great North-Eastern pea line is under. The Government pave the County a subsidy and the County apportioned it among the Highway Boards, relegating to them the maintenance of the line through their respective boundaries. This arrangement answered fairly for a time, except as far as that portion of the road passiug through the Forty, Mile Bush which was a white elephant that the Masterton Highway Board did not care to undertake. The County got special grantß for this section from the Government, and last year boldly undertook the responsibility of it by proclaiming it a County road. On Monday last there was an interesting debate at the County meeting as to whether* the rest of the road, from the Mulgrave Hotel to the Rimutaka, should also be taken over by the County. There being no chance of further subsidies the Highway Boards are notexpected to do anything more on its behalf, and it followed that either the road and the bridges must be neglected or tho County must assutoe the responsibility of them and provide for their maintenance; The only sources from which a provision can bo made are, first) & County rate j

second, tolls pand third,borrowing. The last iamed resort would, : ,at the present time,, pending 'the settlement of the Ooyehimtmt proposals, lie very «nvvise,:Rhd tolls are, since; flip railway relieved the road of its prinpipal so costly to collect that they can&ot -b$ recommended as a prudent: Wife .of taxation, A 'County- rp,te, • tb&.. tbii'S" alternative, is practically the only t ,on£ that can bo adopted. Proclaiming the southern part of the Great North-: Eastern line meant levying a County rate, and for this reason it was opposed by a section of the Council" who'preferred that things snould remain in staluo quo rather than a duplicate levy for road making should be inflicted in the Wairariipa- 'J lie Councillors who represented the Greytown, Peatlierston, and Otaraia Ridings carried the proclamation of the line as a County road. In the southern part of tln» district the Peatlierston o .„ay Board is comparative] j wealthy. Its roads are made ftiiii in good repair, and probably a ninepenny Highway Board rate will give it all the revenue it requires, and if a County rate of threepence be struck, the settlers within its boundaries will pay no more in the future in the way of rates than they have done in the past. The Taratahi-Car-terton Highway Board and the Masteu ton Highway Board are in adiffeient position. They cannot afford to do with less than a shilling rate, and when a County rate is struok they will have to pay road rates to the extent of one and threepence in the pound. In these districts the County rate will be unpopular, and it was 110 matter of susprise that the Councillors who represented them were in many instances very much opposed to taking over the road. The question, however, is now decided—the County has accepted its responsibilities and has faced the question of ways and means, A livelier interest in settling the vexed question of local self-government will ho taken as soon as the County rate is levied, and as far as this district is concerned there will be k better chance of bringing the question of dual rating to an. issue. For this reason we do not altogether regret the decision which has been arrived at by the Wairarapa West County.

Messrs F, H, Wood & C" advertise for sale 10115 acres at the Taueru. His Excellency the Governor proceeds to Canterbury to-morrow or Friday. The usual monthly meeting ot the Masterton School Committee takes place this evening, Mr C. J. Freeth hns been appointed Ranger to the Borough of Masterton at a salary of £25 a year. The details of the proposed swimming tournament in the Waipoua are to be arranged at the Club Hotel this evening. 1 Mr Ingram the dog registrar for the North Wair.irapa District is now on the war path, He has collared 102 canines up to date, Or Beutley has reigned his position in the Mas'erton Borough Council in order to ' take the billet of pound-keeper to the Borough. To-day the Government expects to receive valentines from all parts of the colony in the shape of the first instalment ol the Property tax. The nominations for the vacant seat in the Mastei ton Borough Council caused by the retirement of Mr Bentley will take place on Thursday week, The poll if necessary, will be held on the ninth day of March.

The Treasurer of the Masterton Hospital acknowledges the receipt of a supplementary list from the Branoopeth Station which adds £3 5s to the amount previously lorwarded.

Mr W. James of the Wellington Steam furniture Warehouse has reopened, his Masterton brunch shop with an excellent stock of furniture. Wo direct attention to the advertisement in another column.

Already one eligible candidate has been obtained for the vacant seat in the Masterton Borough Council. Mr E. Feist has been invited to come forward and has consented to place his services at the disposal (if i he ratepayers. A meeting of the Masterton Hospital Committee was he'd last evening. Present —Messrs Buddingtun, (chairman), Perry, Bennett and Vile, The minutes of the previous meeting hiving been read and confirmed, the Secretary reported a credit balance of £'o4 17s. The following ae ODiints were passed for- payment—M. .CaselbnrgifcCo £0 10s Bs, Insti'Ute i!l Is. Mr Renall was appointed as the next, visiting member, The Castle Point Highway Board have aocepted Mr Girlwood'e tender for Section No. 1, of the main lino ar £5 per chain, and for Section No 2at £4los per chain. There are 130 chains in the two contracts, Mr Girdwood lias been fortunate in his tenders this week, having secured two contracts in County East and two in County West in addition to others which ; he has in hand.

The election of a Licensing Committee for the horou>.'h of Masterton takes place to morrow. There arenine candidates from which five will have to bs selected. The poll opens at nine and closes at six. The issues involved \n the contest are so very unimportant that the result of it is a matter ot indifference to the general publio. Under tlieso circumstances we do not desire to influence the return ofanyparlicular candidates.

Masterton has been favored with quite a muster of distinguished visitors this week. The Hon. Walter Johnson, the Postmaster General went from here yesterday to his station at Cas'le Point, The Hon. John Martin, Mr Boetham, M.H.R. Mr Buchanan, MH.R., Mr T. C. Williams, and Mr Hislop of tho Education Department were all in Mabterton yesterday, The last named gentleman went to Te Ore Ore for the purpose of placing the native school in that locality on a better footing.

The School Committees of the Wellington Educational District 'are now called upon to select three members of the Board from the following list of can. didates: William Booth, W, C. Buohanan, J. G. Cox, Hon. G. Randall Johnston, Tbos. Ledhitter, Tbos. Mason, Rev. J. Paterson, Coleman Phillips, and Archdeacon Stock. The method on which the election is eondue'ed is ono of a very primitive character and it would be unreasonable to hope for a satisfactory result, The voting power of a oommittoe which represents thirty ohildren is equal with that of n oommittee whioh represents five hundred.

Money is evidently more plentiful this year than last. A straw allows which way the wind blows, and the fact that double the number nf Valentines passed through the Post Office at Masterton yestordav than on the same day in 1881 is an indication of pocket money being abundant. Last year Mr Bague had to detain many effusions posted in his office on account of indecent remarks written on the covers, but this, time the saintly missives have been singulafly fjroip olg ectionable eadonenwot?.

. The time for receiving tenders 'fur pairing, the Club Hotel Masterton has been'extended for one week,

At. the Earn Fair to-day there was h far larger attendanceithan last year. The bidding was briskandfair prices obtained. AM.report will appear in to morrow's issue."...

are,74 dentists' in New Zealand, .From tbis 'basis may be calculated the dumber of heart-rending howls whioh are raisod in the colony when molars are torn out by the root. The nomination for the vaoant seat for No. 2 Ward in the Masterton Highway District took place to day, only ahout six persons being present. Mr Job. Bennett proposed Mr J. Stuokey, Mt J. Vile seconding and Mr Caaelberg proposed MrR, D. Dagij, Mr J. King seconding The Bhow of hands being in favor of the latter, lift Stuokey called for a poll, which was appointed' to take place on Saturday, ■2sch inat.

On the Napier line they complain of aeven and a half hours being taken to cover 68 nnles, and are apparently worse off than we are on the Wellington and Masterton railway. In each case the engine power is inadequate for the traffio and it is found that muddling up the goods and passenger traffic together is a blunder. We believe that the department is now fitting up some heavier engines, and possibly when they are ready some slight reform in our wretchedly slow railway travelling may be effected'.

The House Committee of the Wairarapa Hospital met at the office of the Secretary, Greytown, yesterday afternoon Present—Messrs Charles Pharazyn (Chairman), Rev. H, V. White, G. Wyett, and W. Skeet, The Treasurer's report shewed a credit balance in b.iuk of £'46, 9s, 2d. Accounts amounting to i's 4s CO, were passed for payment. It was resolved "that a special ward re set apart in the Hospital for the reception of Miorieswho have met with acciden s and desire admittance." A letter was read from Mr W. G. Beard tendering his resignation as a member 'of the eommi'tee. Resolved " that it be accepted, and that the Secretary convey the thanks of the committee to Mr Beard for his past services. The sub-committee's report, re tenders, shewed that'Mr Caselberg's had been accepted. A letter was read from the Colonial Secretary's office, re Hospital returns for 1881. Mr G. Wyett was requested'to act as Hospital visitor for ensuing month, Special attention is called to Rapp and Hare's price list, which'will be found on our frontpage. For clothing, boots, ironmongery and grocery, tliey will bo found the cheapest and best house in the trade.—To Farmers— Just arrived, Harvesting Gloves; 1,000 Corn SitQjcs, equal to new, at 7s 6d per dozen,—[Advt.] As a proo of who are 'the in the Waira rapawe.tjt.ish to .'draw our readers' special attention'iq.B. AVOardener & Son's advertisement' ' oh' our front, page. This' .firm is determined -to keep iip their reputation. From the time of their commencing business in Carterton they., have repeatedly proved that they can withstand competition, no matter how strong. : ?It is therefore ridicu loua- for anothor. storekeeper from a neighboring township to post price lists to their customers arid pretend to Bell at wholesale prices, wjien for tlie smallest quantities B, A. Gardener &Son.supply goods in almost every instance 10 to' 15 per cent cheaper, and in large quantities stdl further conces sionS are m"de.—(Advt