The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1886. THE MASTERTON BUSH SETTLEMENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2255, 27 March 1886, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1886. THE MASTERTON BUSH SETTLEMENTS.

The report of: our. special correspondent's trip through the Masterton bush settlements, which vve have published in our columns this week, furnishes an Accurate record ot the stsge of development which these settlements have now jrc.acbedj and. also furnishes data by which their future progress can be gauged, Our reporter has not apparently caught the bush fever, which inspires many to regard bush life as Paradisical but the sober view which he has taken of the bush prospects will be appreciated by practical colonists. It is impossible, however, even from a pessimist view to deny that « great future lies before the 1 ush settlements and through them awaits Masterton. The work ot sfi.ttjing the bush country has been progressing for .the past ten yearg, and the result to date ie that there are about fire hundred settlers established on the land, who, with their wives and families probably make up a population of 2500 souls, Five hundred more settlers are now preparing to take the field, and in one or two years time we may expect to find 5,000 people in the Masterton ,bnsh settlements, And yet when this jfuriji/jr stage has been .reached only about a tenth of the available land suitable for small farm settlement will have been .occupied. Many of us now living may expect to see the day when the Masterton bush settlements will sup--1 port a • population .of from fifty to a hundred thousand souls, gprne years ago we expressed an opinion tfoat tbs bush country north of Masterton would in time be" the Wairarapa," and every year now is verifying our prediction. .Of course we do not expect to see .every enthusiastic member of a special settlement association converted into a successful small farmer, nor do we regard the scheme under which {he settlements are being effected as a perfect one, but the work, of i

occupying and improving the land goes on, and if oiiu man who puts his bud .to the plough {'alls back, there will be t\v"o to take hjs place. There are difficulties to be overcome, but we have ample experience, even in our' bush settlements that difficulties don't' overwhelm settlers; but that occasionally settlers overwhelm difficulties. According to all puidential calculations the Mauriceville settlement ought to have been a failure. The Scandinavians who settled it arrived in the district poorer than Job, and unable' to speak the language of the country where they were establishing themselves. They hud no-road 10 their miction, the land allotted to iliem was limited in quantity and inferior in quality, and they ought to have succumbed to such a combination of disadvantages However,'they proved lobe obstinate and tenacious, they . did not know when they were beaten, and now theii settlement is a success.' The prospects of the various special settlements .now organising are brilliant as compared with the chances the Scandinavian settlers had at the time they threw in their lot in the bush country, and though we do not underrate the difficulties that they may have to contend with, wo feel assured that a moderate amount of pluck' will carry them through.

Some time since we drew attention to the possibility of finding a better line of route for the Welliugton-Wai-rarapa railway than the present one which is handicapped by the Riinutaka incline, Tn'e Standard also called attention to the fact that a route had been surveyed by the late Captain Smith, and stated that his plans and papers, if produced from the Government office, would be valuable, These papers, supposed to be stowed away in some pigeon hole in the Survey Department, have nevtr as yet been traced, Wo are now informed that Mr George Smith, ot Longlmsh, a son of Captain Smith, has his father's tield book of this particular work in his possession, and, that for a consideration, it can be obtained,

Tho. regular monthly meeting of the Masterton Farmers' Club takes place in the Club room, Temple Clumbers, at 3,30 p.m. to.-ijay. Tlje annual meeting (if the Masterton Theatre Royal Company has been fixed for Friday, April 9th. I)r Duncan M'Gregor, M.A., 8.M., M.S., Univ. Edin., is gazetted Inspector pf" Lunatic Asylums, Hospitals, and Charitable, Institutions. It is reported that jn consequence of the illness of Mr \y.irdell R.M., his duties will be carried out by Mr fl. A. Stratford R.M., until he isablo to resume his work. Wo haye received froni Messrs Afc: Tayisli Tatum & Cp., their property rpgjster for March. Jhe tyiijk cpntain's -notes and facts," of considerable local interest, and an extansivp list of town and country properties? ' Mossrs Lowes and lorna soil to-day at their Masterton rooms a ?00 acre farm at Matahiwi and several sections at Paljiatua; immediately afterwards at Mr Cleghorn's timber yards; Dixon street, a quantity of builder's material, tools, and household furniture. A general, meeting of mombers of the Masterton Agricultural and ' Pastoral Association takes place this afternoon in the Temple Chamburs to discuss a circular from tho wool-growers Association of Australasia. All wool-growers are particularly requested to ajfepd. ' Notice is given that the following resn, lution will be proposed on the 13th April, at the Wairarapa East County Council ; "In accordance with the provisions of Sections 13. of ' The Road Boards Act, 1882,' this Council hereby by special order dissolves the Boards of the Masterton, Mrcdton, and Castlepomt Road •Djajtricty, and. directs that the elections of the' new Boards shall tajic place upon some days during the' first "week' in !; the month of May, such days and elections to be appointed and conducted by the Returing Ulcers of the said districts respectively, fhe Council further declares that this special prdei' shaj) take eject only from and after Saturday, the Ist day of May, 1881)," The following patents have been applied for:—J. Ashton, of Ashburton, for an improved water-spreader; T. Danks, of Christchurch, for an unbreakable wrought-iron pump; R. H, Postlewaite. of Geraldine, for a hedge-cutter; J. Warbiirtun, of Lakeside, Canterbury, fpr an improved plane; E. A. Chapman, Mackenzie County, for a wire strainer ; B/G'ariilianjf of Wellington, for improvements iii pistons (pv 'ateaHii engines; H, Hebden, of Christchurch,' for 'improve; rnents in telegraph and'telephone insulators ; Isaac Bailey, of Auckland, for invention for an|a!giun;itjng nietais; D. McKay, of Rangiora, for an tmppnyed milk-strainer; W. Reeves,, of Waikari, Canterbury, for an improved brake; F, S, Canning, of Gore, Otago, for a joiner's bench jaw,

Messrs Charles Pownall & Co., Mortgage Agents, Wellington, report the money market has remained quiescent during the last month, mortgage operations being limited to moderate amounts for which the supply of capital for investment was amplo. The rate of interest remains, unchanged at GA to per cent for large or snial] sum's. Two of the largest Assurance Companies in the Home country are now represented in Sydney with, it is reported, one million of money for investment on landed security, We fear, however, the terniß offered, viz,, from 2-sths to £ of valuation will be found too restrictive. Very few of our run-holders can afford to lock up their estates for a term of years for this minimum advance upon their true value, even at the moderate rate proposed, 5i per cent, free of Property Tax, payable j)i Lppdon. Suoh an arrangement pan (inly militate prejudieally both to ' mortgagees and mortgagors by interfering with the further outlay and improvements still so much required by station properties to make them renuinerative, The fall in wool can alone be met by economising its growth, and it is only when those properties'are substantially sub-divided and improved, that much' shepherding, and and outgoing expenses can o'e saved, as to leave a fair margin of profit upon present quotations, If English capital, therefore, is to find investment in this country, apd it will, from its superfluity, surely do so, as the ve.rv best source for it, the limitations now demanded must disappear, an.d every encouragement offered, building when necessary,' to carry out andcompleto all requisite improvements. Wool from its overgrowth until it iuids" 'a new outlet in China and Africa, is Lot likely to increase much in value, but with our Frozen Meat trade so fully established as the Al Brand, there is no palpable reason why station properties worked with proper economy should not yield very satisfactory returflß for the. the capital iaveafced la fctaiu. '■

. Tenders close .this day with Mr George Fannin for the erection of a two-storey shop in Queen-street, . Tenders close at 4 o'clock to-day for leasing the Masterton Qpaki raco course, for grazing sheep only, for the term of one year. • The half-yearlv. general meeting of the Masterton-Opaki Jockey Club will be held in the Club Hotel this evening. There is important business to transact,, Tenders lor the erection of a shearing shed at Anniedale, for Messrs Williams and Beetham, close with Mr John Kin? to-day. Mr H. A. Stratford, R.M., has been appointed Judgo of the Assessment Court under tie Rating Act, 187(1, and' amendments, for the boroughs of Greytown and Masterton, and town districts of Carterton and Featherston. Messrs Lowes & torns have received instruction to offer for sale on Saturday, April 3rd, the grazing for live months of 800 acres grass and 100 acres turnips on Brightwell's farm, Taratahi, The farm has been without stock for three months, and the feed is plentiful. Messrs H. Martin, (late of J. Ross' Queen-street), and W. Todd, have commenced business in the premises adjoining Phillip's private hotel, Queen street, Mr Martin's well known abilities in the manipulation of metal, and his knowledge of horse shoeing should be a sufficient guarantee that his patrons will be well attended to. Mr Walter Freeman of the Bank Auc-. tion rooms, Lambton' Quay, has made extensive alterations in his premises. The sitting accomodation has been considerably increased in the luncheon room, and visitors from the Wairarapa to the Empire City will find an opportunity of getting their meals in comfort at this ■establishment.

Adressins a meeting of over 2000 persons at Christchurch, Sir George Grey, after touching on tho fact that many colonists were insufficiently, and othem completely unemployed, led up to the proposals for dealing with land as a means of restoring prosperity to the colony; that all the large blocks of land lying tenantless should be acquired by tho state where not held by it, and offered in blocks of moderate sine to farmers, who should pay a quit-rent sufficient to recoup the State for its outlay. 'Smart trick that of Noinboys about the hospital guzzle tender! Eh What was that? Didn't you hear? Why Moinboy had sent in his tender right enough previous to going up the country, and then telegraphed down to a friend that he had fprgotton to do so! Don't see much in that! No, but then the cypher instructions to the friend were to show tho telegram to a rival guzzle supplier I Ah, I begin to see! What thenl Well the rival guzzlo supplier, Wilyone, was duly shown the telegram,, and straightway amended his. fervor already sent in, so that higher, prices are quoted! Oh ! That's good I And the result, ?' Why, Noinboy came out the accepted tonderer, and Wilyone is looking for the telegraphist who could'nt read by sound I—Press Puff, " .. • ■ -

Municipal matters at Patea (says the Wanganui Chronicle's correspondent) are waxing high, retrenchment being the order of the day. At tho last meeting of the Borough Council the salary of ono of its officials was reduced, which got up his ire, and nn meeting one of the dignitaries of the Qpuncil in an hotel ho got to high words with him, the "lung" and the ! ' short" «f it endini' in the dignitary's hat instead of his head, fejng knocked to the wind, and the dignitary then collared his opponent's whiskers and was in return ciillnrcd by tho hair, rlnw far their pugilistic powers might have b'sen called in question it is hard to say, were it not for a, bystander coming between them and preventing bloodshed,

It is now practicable to ritle from the railway line, via the Tarika road, the whole of the way to. the Waitara river, which lies, a considerable distance bach from the furthest settlement inland, Tlio settlement will, however, very shortly abut upon the river itself, as a large block of land, comprising all that between the district now occupied and the river, will be in .the market in about six weeks' time. Beyond the river there is a block of land now being surveyed, and this also will, before long, be put up for sale, not only hi fapi)s, bfjt a part of it will bo laid off as a'tqwrisliip, Siiryevpra are at present on this block, which is said to be fully equal in quality to the reafcof the land in qui' district, and there is a considerable area pf open land, much of it probably being native clearings, These clearings were extensively cultivated by the Jfaorls during the war time, and as the only paths to the.ni were through the unknown bush, they formed' for the so-callod rebels a, aocu're retreat after a revere, The Waitara river at this point is also Baid to be a very fine stream, and navigable by canoes; in fact, it ha» the appearance of a canal. Lower down, near the junction of its tributary, the Mongonui, the course of the river is more rapid, and not so favorable to canoe navi-gatipri,-Taranaki Herald,

The hearing of the libel case Stewart v. Roydhouso and another \yaa continued yesterday. Dr. Micklo was cross-exam-ined and re-examined by Mr Stringer, He stated that the general feeling of the medical profession in Ohristoliurch was that the article In the Press was an unjust attack upon Dr Stewart, Dr Stewart, the plaintiff, was then examined, Ho stated that the patient Strickland insisted on the operation being performed, and plaintiff pointed out to him the danger of the operation. He (Dr Stewart) had prepared himself by reading to qualify himself for the operation. He had not seen the same operation performed, but had seen an operation for strangulated hernia, which up to a certain point was similar. JJp to the time of the meeting of the staff he had no idea that I)r Nedwell was making charges against Sim, and it' was in consequence" of these charge's' that' 'he decided to look* more closely into tho cause of Strickland's death, which had been given m the certificate after the post mortem as hemorrhage. In crossexamination, the witness said that in making the post-mortem examination he did not look for the cause of death, but simply to'see what amount of reparation Ijad tak>njlace. The giving a false cortificate of deatjvhe knew would render a medical man liable to punishment, biit' he did not think of it in that'oonneatW when he dealt with the certificate without grave consideration He admitted that he ought perhaps to have allowed the Hospital Surgeon to have given tho certificate as he pleased. He admitted having since the operation refreshed his memory •regardjng the metho(|a ai fe operation, bat aa he had read the mattqr before, he knew as much of it before it was performed as he know now. Dr Qolquhoun was next called, fle said the operation for the radical cure of hernia was qompatitively me, but not particularly hazardous, and was not speculative. In cross-examination he stated that it was not usual in Mb experience to begin an operation of a rare kind without explaining it beforehand, especially to Hie' assistants. The evidence taken by qommissjon at Christchurch of Drs Doamers, Turnbull, Robinson, Anderson, and Hobden (dispenser), and Elizabeth Median (nurse) was read, and was in effect much the samo as that of Dr Steward PlamtifFfl, pas? is ndw praotWy dosed.. " ; "-

'That disease incubator, the Wellington Morgue, has been removed from its original site to a, place where it will be less dangerous, Clyde Quay, near the Corporation Yards. Mr H. A. Stratford, R.M., is appointed Judge of'the Assessmont Court under the Rating Act for the boroughs of Greytownand Masterton and the town districts of Carterton and Featherston. The watercourse at the bottom of Church street, which was the subject of a petition to the Borough Council about a fortnight ago, has been filled in by the Borough workman, and tho road is being formed to the end of the street. An entertainment will be given in the Theatre Royal this evening for the benefit of Miss Amy Johns, when this favorito company will appear for the last time, The Masterton amateurs will assist in the performance, and there will be a change of programme. It is rumoured that Sir William Jervois is to be replaced by Sir Willianv Robinson as Governor of' New Zealand. Our present Governor has been so efficient during the time that he has been in office that his removal will be a loss to the colony, if a gain to himself. His •'reputed successor, as brother of Sir Hui'oulcs Robinson, will be received with a kindly feeling here. The local agent for Sutton's seeds, Mr George Watson, lias on exhibition in the window of the Council Chambers, Queenstreet, an attractive show frame, in which twenty-four varieties of grasses are exhibited in the centre, and on the framework the seeds corresponding with tho grasses are shown in sealed glass globules, arranged with a viow of easy comparison. At the proaent timo when the difficulty of obtaining reliable seeds is felt in the colony, these seeds which have obtained an enviable notoriety wherever tried, should, prove a boon to our fanners and runholders. • Mr Dawson is making great progress with his contract at the Masterton Gas work. The puddling has been finished at at the bottom of tho excavation for tho gasometer and the foot of the retaining wall put in. The wall, which is 2ft Gin at the bottom, will be drawn in to 18 inches, and be carried 2ft above the level of the ground. With the exception of two pieces, the necessary castings have arrived, so there is no likelihood of any more delay taking place for some time, The contract of Messrs Bentley Bros, for fencing in the' works is also progressing apace; the old four rail fence being substituted by a oloso boarded one of about six feet in height, Tho anniversary of the Presbyterian Church, Opaki, was commemorated on Thursday by a social gathering of friends and members at the Church, Tea was provided under tho, supervision of lady members of the congregation, and an after meeting was held and presided over by the pastor, the Rev D. .Fulton. An encouraging report and financial statement for the \mt yoar was read by the S,ec_nh tary, Mr Osborne, and addmses, were afterwards delivered, by tho pastor and Mr Rob,?rfc Scott, of Masterton, and several song 6 contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. Votes of thanks to the ladies and others were moved by Mr E. Feist, and responded to, by Mr' Osbprne. The meeting \va,a, ojoscd in tho usual w«y at about nine o'clock, ' The attendance at the meeting was very many members from other denominations being present. Tho Census returns for the Masfcorton District will he oolleoted on Monday morning,. and mqst contain the names of all persons staying on the premises on the'night of the 28th, Evon those who do not'go to church on Sunday evening will find, some edifying employment to occupy their time, The early birds will have to fill in tho forms overnight, A spocial conscience clause will be necessary for the ladies in respect to the statement of their age. Those persons who occupy the "long paddock" could leave their names with the night watchman. Will the authorities succeed in getting the return of the Hermit of Island Bay this year? There are biisji Ijermits in this, district whose returns' will not' bo' easily collected

Sometime between midnight and six o'clock this morning the meat safe at the back of Mrs Bennington's boiirdiii" house was robbed of its contents in the shape of a cooked joint of corned beef and a splendid'roast, Considering some-, thing more than meat was necessary to, satisfy the I'ljinef'inan-'tliose marauders continued 'their, fossicking. Having (presumedly) tried the do.ors, and found thorn all secure, they examined the window fastenings and were fortunate (from their point of view) in disqoverinp the nack kitchen window unsecured. Theirgood fortune did not end there, for they had no sooner pushed up the window, and put their hands inside than they came upon a fine batch of bread of the previous day's baking, evidently left there to cool. To show their appreciation of th« good lady's skill they " collared" the lot, Tho polico will provide the depredators with froe board, lodging included, if they are only successful in discovering them, In the meantime they have the" blessings" of Me Worthy proprietors,' and the hungry lodger!/ 1 ■! ; " ' ; ' |;i ! ''-' '""'• The monthly meeting of the Institute-Committee-was held ( qn Thursday. Tho Treasurer reported'a credit balance of £52 13s 4d, Accounts amounting to £4O were passod for payment. Mr J. J, Smith stated he understood tho Wellington Press Library wished to dispose of the whole of their books, valued at £IOO, for £35, and suggested that this would be a good opportunity of replenishing the Library shelves with good books, which he believed were only recently purchased. The suggestion meeting with the approval of che Committee, it was agreed that tho meeting adjourn till Saturday evening, when full particulars of the bookswould be laid boforo it, Mr Beard stilting that-as he was going to Wellington qn Mqijday, he wouidgive his services in looking at ''the' volumes, The Secretary rorjortcd tho receipt of tho Government subsidy ol £35 12s Id, Messrs W. Sellar and J. Brown wero appointed auditors, and it was resolved to vote the Secretary an honorarium, of £2 2s in recognition of his duties in the past. Mr Gapper suggested that in the annual report the Committee should lay before the Borough Council it? opinion upon tho heat niep of repairing iilie buildup, The Adjourned, (loughs, Colds, Bronchitis, fa., are qniqkly cured by using Baxter's celebrated "Lung Preserver," This oldestablished, popular medicine, is pleasant to the palate, and hjghly extolled by the members of the medical, legal, and clerical professions. Sold by all Patent Medicine Vendors, Sfle testi; mqnials in advertisement?.— Adyt. Messrs L. J, Hooper & do,, of the Bon Marohe, received their first instalment of autumn and winter goods' on Saturday, these goods have been imported direct from the manufacturers in England and Scotland, arid are now being marked off at prices .that will compare with any. wholesale house in the colony, -^him. Ifr Tb'orbcbk, the, Clothier, of Williestreet, Wellington; is raising £llOO pti his stock, He is selling all his stock at the cost price for cash only for 28 days, It is.a rare chance for country settlers to fit themselves and boys out with a cheap suit, He is adopting this plan instead of tyirrowiig the mosey.-r-ABVT

A proposal to establish a telephone exchange in Palmerefon has been mooted, bnthas not been very warmly taken up. ,The usual weekly meeting'of the Mas* terton Freethbught Association'' wba held in the Theatre Royai ii to,.iloTrow evening. ~-■:; '.