PAHIATUA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1393, 1 June 1883, Page 2

PAHIATUA.

(from oub own cobresposdenx.) In the first place I must ask you to correct an error,; which appeared in ! your issue of the 25th, under the heading of •' Pahiatua, from our own correspondent," It should have been headed Woodville. Your correspondent says —"ln a few days the petition; re constituting this a Road Board, will be forwarded to the Council, some say they will not receive it j favorably," and he thinks " there is no reason why they should not/' which shows . that he is very much in the dark about tho subject on which he writes, We have been honored' with a visit from Messrs G, Beetliam and W. C; Buchanan, gentlemen holding high positions both in the County Council and Masterton Highway Board, and we have their assertions that both bodies are prepared to give the petition' ; their most favorable consideration—-as to. the "no reason why they should 'not.' - If he had heard the explanation of County and Highway affairs that we did; I think he would have seen as we did, that there was a very good reason why they should .not, viz: that the larger the County, the more money, they get to deal .with,, which is nofc neceaaarily distributed ail over its area, so that an outlying district like this is may fairly expect as small a,portion as the apathy of the settlers will put up with, We quite agree with his remarks about the Tiraumea road/ and-the labor'thatwas employed on it, and would even go further and say that what was done was money thrown away. Then comes his remarks about Mr McCardle which shows plainly that he is not acquainted with that gentleman, or lie would know that he is a man who thoroughly makes up his mind before taking any particular stand in public matters, and once having done so, is not easily diverted (like some people we know). Wo, the residents in the district, are proud of our member, and with the manly way in which he spoke at the last meeting of the County Council, the report of which perhaps your Woodville correspondent did not see. And now for a bit about ourselves. The weather since the 22nd has been very wet and boisterous, almost putting a stop to work. There ia at present rather over 1000 acres of bush let for falling, and as much more ready to let; the line being cut; the ruling price being 42s Gd per acre. Four houses in course of erection are almost at a standstill for want of timber on account of the mill being so full of orders, One of the houses will bo a general store, mid when we get our school np (as we hope soon to do) we shall assume the appearance of a village, The feed is looking well, and we only want now a lengthened visit of Old Sol to accomplish what the rain has begun; and the inauguration of our new Road Board to make us supremely happy, I was very near forgetting to say that the settlers are much gratified with the prompt manner in which tho Government acceded to their request for a cemetery and recreation reserve; they haying given section No. 5, township reserve, containing 113 acres, for that purpose, and at a meeting yesterday Messrs H. Manns and A. W, Sedcole were recommended to the Government as Trustees for the same; also for the reply to their letter of the Ist May in reference to expenditure of public money in the district, ptatjug tl)ut in future appropriations for opening up Crown lands the representations ir)ide by us would be borne it) miiul. Wo are sorry to have to record a serious accident to a bushman named Murphy, who, by the time you get this, will be in tho Masterton Hospital. The tree hung up then fell back, and the branches caught him as he was running away—as he thought in the eontraiy direction, .

From.another correspondent we hear that Mr "Beetham', accompanied by Mr Buchanan, met tho Pahiutua settlers on Monday last. The meeting was fairly well attended. Nothing of much importance was brought before Jhe meeting. Mr Beetham gave explanations on several questions and commented upon one or two steps that had been taken by the settlers lately, He disapproved of the petition that, had been sent in in connection with the management of the late County, since it lessened rather than- increased the probability of getting further grants of money. He advised that two trustees to the cemetery and Park Reserve be elected. This was afterwards done, the meeting unanimously approving of Messrs A, W. Sedcole and H. Manns who were to fill that office. Both Messrs Bootham and Buchanan were highly pleased with Pahiatua, both on account of the richness of the soil and the prosperity that seems to attend the place., Tho settlers, too, struck them as. an unusually'strong, able-bodied, set of men! After hearing Mr Beetham speak we have not the slightest doubt that he will aid us to the best of his power in obtaining ii Roaid-Board, - AVe find also that we we're mistaken in supposing that M r McCardle would not support our movements. We have therefore no reason to fear that the petition, which will be put before, the next meeting of the Council, will not be favorably received. Mr Beetham suggested that we take advantage' of the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, to form the road from the Township Reserve to the Tirautnea River. We shall undoubtedly do so if possible.

Passengers by- the P. and O. Co;'s Milwa were placed in a strange predicament recently. An Indian knifecleaner on board got drunk, tied all the table-knives (upwards of 600 in number) round his waist and jumped overboard. The ship was stopped and turned round, but all efforts to rescue the unfortunate. man with, the much needed table-knives were unavailing, and the passengers were compelled to eat with' penknives'and substitutes until the vessel reached Alexandria. ' Gentlemen—We are doing business at a disadvantage:by: ; riot { haying auifioipiil room to show; our extensive stocks, but propoaa to hold our, large 'and- valuable trade, by offering and boys' Buita, winter overcoats, hats, and boots and shoes at first oost. Kapp & Hare,—Ann,

WaIRARAPA jockey clus, 0^':;-- -Sfi ;; ' : - 7 ''- J ANN R AI '| QEKERAt MEETING, 1$ e .%*yejmeeti!ng of members took place on/Thursday kftemoon. Present N. andT. Grace, P, F. and S.,* Tancred, B, Kimberley, J, 0 Vallance, Donald Donald, D, Kennedy, James Macara,. John Drummond, and 11. R. Armstrong . (Secretary). The minutes of the last general meeting of the 15th February, 1883, •were read and confirmed oh the motion of Mr P. J l . Tancred, seconded by Mr Donald Donald. . for the honor they had done in electing him as chairman, regretted the absence of their president and vice-president, and also the small attendance of mem,bera present. He then read a telegram from Mr W. 0. Buchanan, and subsequently the steward's report and balance sheet for the season, 1882-83 as audited, printed, and transmitted to members. Mr D. Donald in moving the adoption of the. report arid balance rheet thought members could., not but be satisfied with the action of the stewards during the p«st year, and the result as shewn by the balance sheet. He had much pleasure in moving their adoption, ;; ; : Mr S. Tancred seconded the resolution, expressing an opinion that they ought at the same time to embody in the resolution a vote of thanks to their secretary for the able manner in which lie had discharged his duties. ;The report and balance sheet as read were then adopted. Mr B, Kimberley, on notice, then moved that any horse racing as a hack after having raced as a racehorse shall be for ever debarred from entering or racing in other than hack races where the rules of this club are in force. Mr N, Grace in seconding the motion, said some such protection was needed for their hack races, They had horses running as hacks in the spring coming out in the autumn and running for big races. He thought such a provision as this would be for the benefit of their hack races. The motion was then put and carried. ; Mr P. F, Tancred also on notice given moved that rule 26 be amended to read as follows:—"In all handicaps when the highivit weight accepted is under Bst lOllw in is tu oe raised to that weight, and the others in proportion, In speaking to the motion ho would also if the meeting were agreeable like to add the words" and further that the lowest weight in any handicap under this olub shall not be less • than fist,' Ho folt that many races were spoiled by the ridiculously low weight put on some horses in trying to keep the top weight down, He thought this was a mistako, as in other clubs it was found horses could carry 10 stone and many full top weight. Mr Macara: Are we to understand that Bst 101b is to be the top weight in any race 1 If so, it will be a poor look out for some of our horses with 6st. The Chairman: No, the weights are to be levied at Bsfc 101b if the highest accepting is below that weight, but in no case is a horse to be handicapped below 6st. ■ Mr Macara: Then I second the resolution. The motion was then put and carried.

Mr D, Donald also, on notice given, then moved tlmt in consequence of the Club during the past three years, having failecj to attract as many of the public, as fi'on) its financial position and influence, it had & fight to expect, action should be immediately taken either to make the present course accessible by rail or to secure one near tho present railway 011 which to hold future meetings. He thought it must be apparent to nil that during the last two or three years tliey lmd failed in , attracting the public in such numbers as they might reasonably have expected, while smaller meetings that might bo termed second to their own commanded far larger gatherings, and «s long as their meetings were held at Tauherenikau lie believed they would bo handicapped in this way. It was quite out of the question their being able to connect their present course with the railway, and ho therefore thought they should appoint a committee to select an available course on the railway line between Featherston and Masterton, and if his motion were carried lie would move that a committee be appointed for that purpose. If such a site were selected he believed they would soon recoup themselves any expense they might be put to in the extra amount they would get for the gates, and the larger attendance tlwy would command.. He did not wish it to be at Masterton or further up the valley, and he trusted none of the Lower Valley people would think that this was his intention in bringing the question forward. He was quite satisfied that the course should be at Featherston, so long as it was within reasonable walking distance of the railway. He regretted that there was not a larger meeting to discuss so important a: question, but though none of- the Lower ; Valley members were present, lie thought there could not be any harm in appointing such a committee as he had suggested. ■ Mr S. Tancred seconded the motion. Mr P. F. Tancred thought if even they expressed an opinion by only appointing a committee, it would cause dissatisfaction. He was in favor of the motion, but thought a larger ineefc-' ing was necessary to take action in the matter, and lie thought so small, a meeting at the present did not speak well for the interest taken in racing matters'by the members. H? would move that in the best interests of the Club this meeting is of opinion that Mr Donald's motion be'adjourned for discussion until the next general meeting.' Mr Armstrong, thought Mr Donald's motion would be a. generally advisable one if carried, but could not see how they were to carry it out at present. The lease existing fell in in December next, and when the mortgage .fell in they might sell, and any balance on the purchase money, if they then sold would be available for the purchase of' : a new reserve, j•:jT; ; .'^,, f Mr Kimberley thought there was another, difficulty,, They had adver-

.tisedraces three years ahead to be run on the course. Mr Armstrong : No. They had only advertised the races; there was no place fixed. They could run them on tho top of the Rimutaka if they liked I ; Mr N. Grace fully endorsed what hail fallen from Mr Donald, but thought the motion was premature at present, They would warit'at': least'£IOOO to replace the, improvements they had made on'the' e r , could not see where, the money was to come from. The present lease would fall in December, and there was no, n doubt they would get a greatly inbreak 1 ed rent for the ground. He should : like to see a full meeting of members before the question was settled, and Ihought it would give ."great offence if . so small a meeting dealt with' 'if He must therefore second Mr iTancred'sj! amendment. ! ■''" '' Jl '' The amendment was carried on the voices. >: The Chairman said the next business was the election of officers. ■ ■■■ t. ; i The following officers ;Were then i elected :—Vice-President' Mr.' H.' S. V' Wardell, (re-elected); Judge: Mr John Drummond; Stewards '. Messrs J. : 0. Vallance, N. Grace, B. Kimberley, H.: 1 McMaster, A. Matthews, P. F. Tancred, and W. Lowes ; Starter : Mr J. C. Vallance; Clerk .of Scales j Mr D. Donald; Timekeeper: Mr 0. Williams; Clerk, of Course: Mr W. lorns; Auditors: Messrs B. Boys and F. W. R. Seed. The question of handicapping led to a rather animated disoussion, •Mr N. Grace thought it was quite time the : Club did something in the' matter as the stewards had quite enough to do without making the handicaps.; .! • Mr Drummond: Could they not leave it to the Stewards to appoint a liandicappsr. : 1 "j/ ( Mr Macara: No'; the appointment " must be made that day under the rules, Mr P. F. Tancred would like it to « be (lecided before they appointed any- *l- - to the offico whether he was to he paid or honorary handicapper, For. himself lie should prefer that he jps,. paid to meet his expenses, and his fee, so that he might travel about and seo something of the horses raoipg.' Iu Christchurch they had decided a handicapper could not do it otherwise. If he were an honorary handiaapper ho could . please himself whether he wont to the" races or not. If he chose he might just stop at home and read the papers, ' and from his own experience the paper reports were not always correct, He ' should feel inolined to vote him some sum as a remuneration, and ho would then be able to attend the meetings in ■ ' Wellington and nearer homo, and would, in a measure, be under the club. Another reason why he protested against the post boihg a honorary one was that a handicapper could not do full justice to their, horses im-,' less he attended the races, and it was not fair to ask a man to go to the trouble , and expense of doing this merely to make their handicaps. The amount of tho remuneration would rest with the club, but lie would move that any handicapper appointed by this club be paid such sum as the club may;; consider a fair remuneration for his services and to meet his expenses. ' ! Mr Macara seconded the resolution. With so small a meeting he did not think it would be advisable to fix anv definite sum. He must incur expense as he would at least haye to attend the J Wellington and their own meeting. Mr N. Grace moved as an amend: ment—That tho handicapper to be ftp: pointed by the Club be paid the sum . of £15155. " After some discussion the motiqn and amendment were, in a measure, . amalgamated, and a resolution, passed '' in the following form That the handicapper to be appointed by tho 'Cltih J for the ensuing season be paid tho sum of £ls 15s as remuneration foivhwG services and expenses, On the motion of Mr VaHimoe, •: seconded by Mr Drummond,' Mr 'B. : Kimberley was elected handicapper for the ensuing season on the terms men- / tioned in the foregoing resolution, v Mr Donald said he had another motion to bring forward. Their Secretary had only bee.i receiving a small amount for his services, and, as >1 they all knew, in matters of this kind a good Secretary was the mainstay of the affair, and without one they could not get on. Facts spoke for themselves, and he thought a great deal,of . their present prosperity was due to their Sefi& ut tary. He thought they should add to his salary, and increase it as they got on. He would move—That for tl(V ; I ensuing year the Secretary's salary f v 'jH raised from £4O to £SO. •. : :; "• m| Mr P. F. Tancred had much sure in seconding the resolution, having brought the same matter before them last year. Living near at hand, perhaps no one was better able than himself to -,' judge of the truth of what Mr Donald had said. Often he had come into Carterton and found their Secretary had gone off to Tauherenikau, and to say nothing "of the time and trouble, these journeys could not bo made without his incurring considerable The affaire of the Club had greatly in)- ; proved during the last three years under his guidance, and he felt sure no . member would regret making this ad* vance The motion was then put 1 and- j carried. . . ' , Mr Armstrong said he was glad., find the Club recognized his services, and thought he was worth an advance in his salary. He had done his best, and was glad to find they were satisfied. He had had good men-to work with, and though it had beeii an uphill job at firet, he thought their, way was now clear. .He that in two yeaw they had been able to iloltble his salary, as he received £25 when ho was first appointed, and trusted:the Club might go on prospering and then ' they could give him'some more. J Two letters were read, one from A, R. McFarlane, the other from Mr J. Fuller, asking that in the event of their purchasing totalizators, whether the Club would give them the preference. After some discussion the matter was referred to t the Stewards, the secretary / being instructed to/obtaik. furtWu it. ;* formatipn in .the injerim. , :;!■ j The Chairman'drewlte'action of? M the meeting to the arrears of members

subscriptions, as appearing' oil , llio table of assets, The Secretary hiul explaiiierl to him that tlio auditorsiiad required that these (should so appear, although -'several had left tho district, and asked for authority to strike the names of those on the list he held (list read) oft the roll of members to meet ' this difficulty, Oh tho motion of Mr S. Tanerml, seconded;Uy Mr T. Grace, it ve : solved'Hifit tho names of the membors Bpocified, who hod .not j.-'-iil their, subscriptions and had left, tlm removed from the list of members ■ Mr.P, F. Tancred wished to- draw the attention of members to one matter—that, all entrances and acceptances should be in by a stated hour of the day. It was unsatisfactory their coming in after perhaps a list; ; of". names had been published, If owners did not watch the time of closing, it was tlioir own look out, and in any case it was only a matter of posting them a day or two or it might only be a few hours earlier, He had heard numerous complaints on the matter, and some decision on tho point by them would be a good precedent for other clubs in' the, District, . After some explanation from the Secretary the matter was referred to the Stewards, ' ! A. letter was received from the proprietor of the Observer, asking that it might be put on the list of papers' in which the Club advertised. During the discussion on the question, the members of the press present retired; and on being recalled the Chairman stated that on the motion of Mr N. Grace, seconded by Mr S, Tancred, it had been resolved—That the Secretary reply to Mr Beckett's application and inform him that the Club had decided to reduce its advertising expenditure, and could not accede to his request. , Mr Drummond drew attention to injuries received elsewhere through shooting galleries being allowed, and thought they should never be permitted on the course, It was'jesolved, on Mr Drummond's motion, swohiflkl by Mr KimberleyThat no shooting galleries be permitted on the course at any future meeting of this Club. A lengthy discussion then ensued as to measures being taken to endeavor to have tho Annual Show of the Pastqr.il Society and tho Spring Meeting of the Club lixed for succeeding days, and eventually it was resolved, on the motion of Mr S, Tancred, seconded 'by Mr Kimberley That Messrs D. Donald, P. E. Tancred, and N. Grace form a, deputation to wait on the Pastoral Show Committeo to urge on them the advisability of holding their Annual Show oil tho Bth November next, the day preceding tho Spring Meeting of tho Club, The election of liew members and a vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the business of the mooting to a close,