MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 878, 28 December 1888, Page 23

MASTERTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) December 20. Wilson’s flaxmill caught fire shortly before noon to-day, and was completely burnt, the large building in which operations were carried on, the plant used, and the stock of dressed fibre on hand, being altogether destroyed. The origin of the fire is quite inexplicable. A gentleman who happened to be in the open within half a mile of the mill, at the time, told me that smoke seemed to issue from nearly all parts of the building at once, and that he doubted whether the best water supply in the Colony would have put out the fire. I understand that the building is owned by. Mr G. W. Wood-* roofe, and that Mr Wilson’s interest is mortgaged to the Wairarapa Permanent Investment and Loan Association. There are no doubt pretty large insurances, but I have been unable to ascertain them up to the time of writing. One thing is certain, namely, that a large number of persons have been thrown out of employment, and that the exports of local pioducts from Masterton will be seriously decreased for. a time, as Mr Wilson was turning out a large quantity of fibre. I

may add that the concern was at one time in the hands of the Bank of New Zealand, which, however, parted with its interest some time ago. ■ - [Bt Telegraph.] Masterton, Deoember 20. At the breaking-up of the Masterton school thi3 afternoon Mr Grundy, the headmaster, who is leaving to take charge of the Clydequay school, had three presentations made s.o him. In the first place Mr Wayto, the first assistant, presented him with a silver •olaret jug on behalf of-the teaching staff, Jn the second placo Mr 13. Feist, chairman of the School Committee, gave him a barometer subscribed for by the boys in the higher standards, and in the third place Mr J. 0. Boddington, acting for the girls, presented him with an embossed address and a'silver salver. Messrs Feist and Boddington both made appropriate speeches, and expressed a'wish that Mr Grundy would be as -successful in Wellington as here. Prizes were given to all the children in the school, tho only distinction made being in favour of the best boy and the best girl, and the best attendance. Masterton, December 22. Rumour has it that a prominent runholder in the district, at present on a visit to South Amorica, is so much pleased with the country there that he intends to sell out htre for the purpose of settling in Bolivia. Should this prove correct it is highly probable that many others would try to follow his example. The nominations for the handicap event* of the Caledonian Society’s New Year’s Day sports numbered 62. The shopkeepers in town appear to be looking upon to.right as Christmas Eve, the windows throughout being splendidly dressed and lighted.