MASTERTON TOWN LANDS CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1049, 15 April 1882, Page 2

MASTERTON TOWN LANDS

CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION.

* ——; •■ ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of persons interested in the above was held; in the Town Hall last evening., The attendance was more iparse'than usual. At eight o'olbok. three trustees constituted; tho assemblage but half an hour, later there were, including the presropresehtatives, a Geld often and before the meeting closed itsmumbors were augmented by a section of the local Volunteer Corps who appeared in uniform.

Mr Feist, the chairman, read the report and balance sheet for the past year, which were adopted without discussion on the motion of Mr E. B. Chamberlain, seconded by Mr Worth. Messrs Selkr and Wilaone were reappointed auditors on the motion of Mr Payton, seconded by Mr Hogg.

The chairman thon read a memorandum which explained the objects of a new Bill which the Trustees hoped, in conjunction with Greytown, to bring before Parliament. Those-ombodied a clause to enable tho Trust to vest (he Library property in the Borough Council; vesting town ocrea .42,10G, and 111 in the Trust; to enablo the Masterton and Greytown Trustees to deal with th Greytown Town Belt and other matters.

Mr Renall speaking to this memorandum asked a question about the clause referring to the Library and expressod himself satisfied as to that part of it. He then referred to the action of MrGray and himself in the Trust, They had not attended late moetingi of it because they considered they had resigned though they rekined the resignations they had signed to prevent the other members of the Trust appointing their successors. Neither Mr Gray nor himself had any intention of offering themselves again, and two new {candidates would hayo to bo selected' B With respect to town acre 42 he had sug gested to Mr Carter that it aud town acres 106 and 111 as well should be oonvoyed to the present Trustees and the proceeds from thorn allotted to the publio School. Ho had askod him to put tho proposal in a legal form and then the speaker would endeavor to obtain the ooncuirence of Mr Jackson, and the representatives of the late Mr J. Masters to it. He thought that bysh-jwingthe Govt, that the vendors still held acres 106 and 111, the covenants of sale never having been complied with, they could induce it to support the proposal. If Mr Carter agreed to theproposal nothing shonld he wanting on his part to complete the arrangement. Mr Carter had formerly suggested endowing the Fire Brigade but a volunteer body of this kind could not hold land in fee simple and he pointed out also that the Fire Brigade must sooner or later be taken over by tho Borough and that so pall an endowment would be of vpry little use to it. It would bo futfle for the Trustees to try and got possession of the acres exceptin the manner he proposedbuthewquld Yerymuch like to see the whole thing settled, He referred to Mr Carter's pamphlpt published by the Wairaiupa Daily office and questioned from the references made to the 48 acre reserve whother Mr Carter really understood that question. He had hoped to havo seen a good meeting that ovening but unfortunately Mr Park had secured everybody. He only regretted that he had not arrangod tor Mr Parks' audience to hear what he had to say through the telephone, The Chairman said he was very glad to have heard Mr Eenall's statement. He thought his proposal would meet the wishes of the Trust, and the whole affair would bo amicably settled. Mr Worth inquired if sections 10G and 101 had been sold. Mr Renall: Yes. Mr Worth asked if they had reverted lack to tho vendors. Mr fyjiull replied that they had never been claimed by tho purchasers on the ground of non-fulfillment of covenant, Mr Worth expressed an opinion that they must bo very cautious in dealing with these properties, as the origiual purchasers might still havo some "locus standi" with respect to them, Mr Haro explained the position of town acteß 106 and 111, and the rural sections which were sold in conjunction with them. Mr Renall disputed the version given by My Ifare, and said thp triye history was that Sir George Grey set ssido 46,000 acres, and appointed himself and four others to doal with them,'subjeotto tho land regulations in force, By these regulations town lauds had to be sold by auction, but this did not suit him and his colleagues, and so they bought tho land on which Greytown and Masterton now stood out of a private subscription, Consequently the purchasers of rural sections took a ti(lo frqm tho Crown, antj tho purchasers of tuv/n'lands had their title from Mr Carlar, Mr Dnlrymple expressed at some length his opinion of the legal aspect of the throe town acres'in question. The Chairman said he thought they had had a most interesting discussion, and after a few moro remarks had been made closed the meeting.

By a Wairarapa Visitor, At 9 o'clock on Easter Monday morning the different trades and Societies began to assemble at Cranmer Square, and by. 10 a.m. 4000 persona had assembled to take part in the procession. Headed by the Austrian Band of professionals they marched through tho principal streets of the city, which were lined in all [parts with spectators. House tops and baloonios wero pressed into.tho service for the oqcasion, tram-cars, .busses, and coaph'es wore heavily laden with the excitod populace, The weathor on tho evening preceding the " opening day" was docidedly unpropitious, and the mud in the streets was ankle deep. Thevo wero a number of bauds in tho pro-cession-some of the best in tho colony, and tho sweet strains discoursed were fully appreciated by the lookerson, I was leisurely following in the walco of the procession, when suddenly my oars um assailed by a frightful discord, On looking about to ascertain the cause I perceived the Orange Society's band on the footpath waiting to join the procession. The band consisted of three very big big drums, carried by three very big drummers, who wore each armed with a pair of very big drumsticks, .accompanied by a squeaky fife, As the "HibeVnians Bled past the 'Uiand" struck up, Each drummer whacked his drum wth might and jnaiu, and tho squeaky fife regolavly shrieked. There was lio pretence to a tune, and the clamour was dreadful. Tjie Hibernians wore "awfully riled," and everyone expected a scrimnage, This, however, was luckily avoided, ard as the column moved quickly along the Orangemen took thoir places in the proo isaion, and for a time nothing more was 1 eard of them except an occasional fierce " rub-a-dub-dub," On reaching Cathedval Square the procession had occasion to perform a movement whichbrought tksgim andoranqem close proximity.and the gnashing of teeth and muttered oaths showed th ire was very little love lost between tlieu.y On arriving at the Exhibition. the .liflerent trades and societies marched in, and tho Austrian Band having played, the opening cantata, the Governor deo ared the first International Exhibition ei er held in New Zealand open to |the public, Oyer 20,000 persons

paid for admission on the opening day. I went through the Exhibition, but I will not attempt to give a description of the'.r exhibits. Foreign Arms are well repre-'v scnted and colonial one fairly, In the main entrance to the building is a bronze fountain of chaste design, and tastefully arranged round the walls are nuraer6us excellent apociraena of the sculptor's art. Besides the exhibits thero are numerous points of interest in the Exhibition, but it would fill columns to give a description worthy of them. As may be imagined, the city is very i lively; visitors from all parts of tho colony arriving by every train and steamer.There is no lack of amusements. Race's have been held, and sports Ri'e 'to take place shortly; balls and parties are being given in all parts; both theatres are going, and Cole's circus will open to-night. I would advise everyone who has not seen Ohristchurch to take this opportunity of viewing it, They will caver regret it.