LOWER VALLEY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1094, 8 June 1882, Page 2

LOWER VALLEY.

MOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. Anyone not having visited Waihenga, or Martinborough, as this little township is now generally teimed, for some time would not fail to notice signs of progress in oiir little community. We have now two general stores, two shoemakers'shops and one saddlers', and the inevitable hotel

s now in course of erection. The build

ing will be both spacious and convenient, and will form a conspicuous feature in "Martin's Square." , The Church of England members contemplate erecting a church in the township shortly should sufficient inducement offer. At present the services are held on alternate Sundays in the school-room. Mr Stewart, the Presbyterian Minister stationed here, had a narrow escape from what might have proved a serious acoident on Sunday morning. The reverend gentleman was driving down the Valley to Burpide to hold'his usual services there, but owing to the inclement state of the weather had relinquished his intention,' |and was returning | home, when passing the Otaria Station his horse was 'frightened by an emu and bolted, notwithstanding Mr Stewart's efforts to rein him up, The fright of the horse was increased by the emu keeping pace with it on the other side of the fence, apparently malioiously enjoying the situation. On reaching the Dry River Station Mr Stowart managed to pull him (the horse not the emu) up, and the front of the trap having been damaged by the animal kioking, Mr Stewart descended, and was fixing up a kioking strap in view of future emergencies, when the horse again bolted, and tearing the' reins from his owner's hands set off at. wild speed along the road, being eventually'stopped close to the Manse, when Mr Stewart wended his weary way on foot. This'is not the first instance of horses having been rendered quite unmanageable by the sight of the Otaria emu, Mr Martin would do well to' prevent the. possibility ,of a more serious accident. Mr Waterhouee destroyed a fine emu whioh used to run on the Huangaroa Station some yean since, it having , frightened a horse to death, >