WINCHESTER.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4263, 28 March 1879, Page 3

WINCHESTER.

■ This little township is fast becoming more ; important. On Tuesday last the new English church was consecrated-.by the Primate. Archdeacon Harper, the Bey. Fyttes Clinton, j curate of Temuka district, and the Beys. Grimes, Preston,- and Coates, assisted at the services, which were choral, the local choir giving the musio most creditably. The church was crowded, and his Lordship preached a very impressive sermon. The edifice consecrated is named St. John's, and is a handsome and roomy building, designed by Mr Cane. The contractors, Messrs Clynoh and Lloyd, of Temuka, hare done their work admirably. Besides the church, a concrete Masonic Hall is being built, and is nearly completed. It is a massive looking structure, and quite an ornament to the town. A new hoarding house is shortly to be commanced close to the railway station, tiie i timber being now carted. j Messrs Murray's mill is in full swing,! working night and dty, and turns out some fifty tons per week. '' At present there are ; three pairs of; stones running, but there is plenty of power, if a turbine wheel, were substituted for the present overshoot, to work six. The crops have been good in this locality, and the railway department are very busy ; with the grain. ~ A telegraph station is much needed, and the inhabitants have been long endeavoring to procure one. They offered to guarantee the Government £100 a-year far three years. The Government replied that in addition to this a house and office should be found for the telfigrsphirt, and as the residents did not see their way clear to grant this, the matter was 'dropped for the present.- "-** a lceal cricket club, who are taking the necessary steps to prepare their ground, which consists of twelve acres of a Government reserve set apart for the purpose. Next season they, hope, for, a really good pitch. They have won several matches thu year.,"..'.".,. Mr J. A. Young, th« oldest resident, states

that the trout in the Waihi creek hare Attained- Xuge dimensions, and are very plentiful. Mr Young p_rocuxed 600 youuash from the Acclimatisation Society's garders at Chrietohureh this season, and turned them into a branch of the Wuihi wbioh runs through the. ground*, where they are doing remarkably well. The school under Mr Dnnnett's able management if prospering greatly. The average for the past quarter was sixty-three. The buildings, though rather too neir the railway, are rery picturesque, some very handsome shrubs lurrouuding the master's residence. Mr Swinton, of the Winchester Hotel, appears to bo doing an excellent business, which the convenience and comfort of his house, as well as. th« excellent way it is managed, fully deserves.