MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1095, 24 February 1893, Page 18

MASTERTON.

The forthcoming general election, as far asMasterton is concerned, bids fair to be a lively one. Candidates are popping up on all sides, of every possible shade of > political opinion, and no less than six have already announced their intention of standing. Probably quite one half of them will drop out of the running altogether, and Messrs Hogg, Pownall, and McCardle will be left to fight the battle. Each of the three gentlemen named certainly mean to fight, but at the present early stage it is impossible to estimate their chances of success. Although the quantity of rain which has fallen lately in Masterton has not been great, a perfect deluge must have fallen on the hills round about, for the rivers rose to a phenomenal height, and did considerable damage to roads, &c. The main road between Masterton and Carterton suffered most, and it will take some weeks to repair the damage done. There is likely to be again great rivalry in the coaching business in the Fortymile Bush;- as in a few days a new line from Eketaliuna to AVoodville will commence to run. The owners of the present lines are determined to give the newcomer a warm reception, so the general public may look forward to some cheap travelling. A glaring case of cruelty to animals came before. Colonel Roberts, at Eketahuna, on Saturday last, when a man named McGill was charged with leaving a horse tied up to a fence —without food or water —for no less than thirty-six hours, part of the time being in the broiling hot sun. His AVorship inflicted a fine of 10s with 35s costs.

An unusually large number of bankruptcies have occurred in the AVairarapa district this month, no less than seven having been already recorded. None of them are very important, however, and in most cases the liabilities are very little over LIOO.

A very large quantity of bush has been burned this year all over this district, and in most instances the result has been good. Many settlers report better burns than for several years past. The installation of AV.M. and the investiture of officers of the Masterton Masonic Lodge, No. 19, N.Z.C.,took place last AVednesday evening, a large number of distinguished brethren being present, including the R.AV. Grand Secretary of Victoria, Bro. Meadowcroft, and the Grand Senior AVarden, Bro. Fred. Meadowcroft. After the AV.M.-elect (Bro. C. A. Pownall) had been placed in the chair of K.S., the brethren adjourned to the Temperance Hall, where the usual banquet was held. A most enjoyable evening was spent, the gathering breaking up about midnight.