OUR WAIRARAPA LETTER.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 112, 29 January 1881, Page 2

OUR WAIRARAPA LETTER.

_-_0M OTTB OWN OOBBBSPONDBBT] GrBEYTOVTN, JANUABY 26, 1881. The Amalgamated Friendly Societies' Annual Sports took place here on Friday, the 21st instant. The weather was all that could be desired for the occasion, although the day itself was most unsuitable, the committee having made ihe rash and unpardonable mistake of changing the date from Saturday, tbe 22nd— a public holiday— to the above; the consequence was, the attendance was not one-half what it might have been, and, of course, as a pecuniary speculation, a loss. There, could not have been more than 200 people on the ground, and these few were throughout the day fearfully dull, notwithstanding the effort of the Volunteer Band to enliven them. . In the running matches, J. S. Eonaldson, well known to many of your readers, carried off the palm; while Frank Woods, a wellknown professional ped., came next. The competition "throughout was limited to two or three. This year's sports could. not be called a success by any means, simply through the apparent thoughtlessness of the" management. In the evening a soiree was held, at which some twenty couples did the "fantastic toe" business until the small hours of the morning. On Anniversary Pay, the children belonging to. St. Luke's Sunday School were treated to a ride on the railway to Pigeon Bush, where they spent about six hours, and enjoyed themselves immeasurably. The Carterton-Taratahi "Races were the centre of attraction, as a large number of people assembled to see the equine performances. The day was beautifully fine, with a light breeze— just the day for pleasure-seekers— and almost everyone m the district availed themselves of the holiday, consequently the meeting was the most successful held m the Wairarapa for some years. Everything went off smoothly and comfortably, much to the credit of the arranging or managing committee. Our cricketers also availed themselves of the holiday, and repaired to Wellington to try conclusions with the Metropolitan club.Time only admitted of their playing one innings, and m this our opponents were the victors by 60 runs, nevertheless the game was fairly oontested, the townsmen exhibiting a great deal of science, and a large number of persons assembled on the BasinReserve to witness the game, and the.presence of the band kept the cricketers and witnesses m geod humor, y The Wairarapa .Standard ot the 22nd contains a letter from a correspondent on. the important question of forming a meat p?«*OTW*_ W$ fAfcb]«h.inen,t ,

m the: Wairarapa, similar to that now m process of formation at the Hutt. Tha letter is • most able production, and clearly points out the great advantages which would accrue^-fjom the formation of such a company imhe Valley. The writer says— and t*ary~that such an industry would be m • valuable;- both to tbe farmers, and to tho district generally. The same journal m tha same issue has an interesting leader on the question, which it would be well for country papers to note. ■ . :_.-P'" "»P°*" fe ed birds, the sparrows, linnets, and skylarks, are actively engaged m harvesting, atid:it!iß found that-they are harvesting a deal more than their share... A farmerJn this district owning a small field ef wheat, which ha expected „ -yield -from 60 .to 60 bushels to the acre, has found it almost completely stripped. Sol much' for our im-. ported feathered friends. Whilst m Featherston- the other, day I met Mr. Georgej of the firm of Rraridon and Oo.jthe well-known miners, .who have been so long engaged at the Featherslon Quartz /Reefs. Upon inquiring from him their intentions with regard to procuring machinery, he informed me that they, bad ! purchased a plant out of their own private means, and that'they hope to get- it- fixed m a few days., .They have been now ,over *ff °. : j**?* OP the claims' nor will they leave it, as they say that they; and no on» else, knows the value of the reef, and that before long a jnsh will take place. Well, I hope it may be so 'but theaecbunts have been sovaried" and conflicting that one gets almost tired of hearing them. ;«-•*•-■■•-•---