WAIRARAPA.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9364, 13 March 1896, Page 6

WAIRARAPA.

A very popular young Mastertonian, Mr Arthur Bennett, connected with the Postal Department in that place for a number of years past has been transferred to Napier. An excursion trip to Masterton, by the members of the Belmont, Lower Hutt, Taita, and Miss Burnett's (private) Schools, was made last week in the Wellington mid-day train, all returning by the 3.15 train for home, after an enjoyable day's outing and visit to various places of interest in Masterton.

Sergeant Henry McArdle, for a long number of years connected with the New Zealand Police Department, and stationed at Masterton, is soon to retire on pension, whilst Constable Darby, of Carterton, has been removed to Pahautanui. Both officers are respected for their good qualities, by their respective fellow citizens, and the latter gentleman and his family will be greatly missed by many friends. Numerous pleasure trips to Mount Holdsworth have been made this year by parties of Wairarapa ladies and gentlemen, who state that the sights when once on the mountain tops are well worth the trouble of climbing thereto. Some capital photos were taken of views along the route.

Several parties of Otaki citizens, along with an authorised engineer, have made repeated trips to and from there and Greytown and -Masterton, and it is considered there is every reason for expecting at least a stock route between these three centres within the next twelve months.

The Member for Masterton, Mr Hogg, has been severely brought to book by the Eev. Mr Dukes, Wesleyan minister, over the totaiisator question, in connection with the Maeterton-Opaki Jockey Club Meeting for St. Patrick's Day, and strong language was resorted to by the member, who was accused of giving moral support and help to the gambling question, after his pledge on the racent Government Lotteries Bill to the contrary. The Premier, however, practically settles the matter by announcing that under no oircumstan&ee shall a totaiisator permit be granted for the race meeting in question. The recent Masterton Agricultural" and Pastoral Society's Autumn Show, was a distinct success in the matter of attendance, which was much above theaverage. The next show will doubtless be held on the Society's new grounde to the rear of St. Patrick's Church.

Mr A. Yule, of Featherston. has commenced operations in the Waingawa boiling down works near Hasterton, the property of Messrs Williams and Beetbam, and good business is being done for the district by this means, as other competing companies instruct their buyers to purchase stock at an advanced rate.

The Masterton Juvenile Operatic Company have enjoyed a very successful season in their staging of " Pirates of Penzance" ip. the Wairarapa, tmder Messrs Gray and Kearsley, and an efficient committee of management.

Very cold weather was experienced in the Wairarapa last week, when there was a fall of snow on the Tararua ranges.