CARTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1212, 24 May 1895, Page 19

CARTERTON.

The installation of Bro. N- Grace la t wet'k as W.M. of Sc. Mark’s Lodge, N.Z.0., was the occasion of the largest gathering of the craft that has ever taken place in the Wairarapa. The Grand Lodge was represented in the per sons' of Bros. H. J- Williams, Hammerton and Coveuey, and all the lodges m the Valley were strongly represented. Bro. Williams acted as Installing Master, and Bro. Harley as Master of Ceremonies. There was a splendid orchestra of organ, flute, clarionet, two violins and violoncello, which adued considerably to the interest ot the ceremopy. A banquet was partaken of in the large room of the Library, opposite the Masonic Hall, and the company broke up at midnight. The annual dinner and ball of the local Oddfellows and Foresters was celebrated on Friday night in the Assembly Rooms, when over 200 sat at the tables, fully two-thirds being 41 sisters, cousins aud aunts" of the brethren. The spread was a substantial one, and fully appreciated. His Worship the Mayor, Bro. G. W Heller, Past Secreta«y it the Oddfellows Lodge, occupied the chair, and Bro. John .Smith, P O R., Foresters, the vice. Mr W. C. Buchanan, M H.R., was among the guests. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were proposed and responded to, but’ as politics were excluded there was nothing of outside interest to record in the speeches. I think those who have the management of these affairs would do well to cut out the toast list, for it’s a “ shivery " proceeding swallowing a dozen bumpers of aerated waters one after the other, and it is asking too much of the loyalty of the subject. Then the “musical honours" go very flat .on giuger ale, making the refrain “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow " sound rather sarcastic. The room was cleared for dancing after the dinner, and was kept up with spirit until three o clock in the morning. The Wairarapa Hunt Club Sports to have been held on the Show Grounds, Carterton, last Thursday, were postponed, owing to the unfavourable weather, until Queen’s Birthday, 24tliinstant. The entries for the several events are numerous, and the programme is an interesting one, promising plenty of fun for the onlookers. Mr J . B. Mac Ewan, Chief Hairy Expert , has promised to pay a visit to Carterton on his return from the South Island, where he has gone to open dairy schools. Such schools are to be opened throughout the North Island also. It is likely Mr MacEwan’s visit here will be towards the end of the present month. Both the Haletield and Taratahi factories are still open, but the season will close with the current month. Produce prices have been lower this year than last, but it is estimated the patrons of these two factories will be paid at the rate of threepence half penny per gallon of for the season’s milk. The output will probably reach to over 250 tons of cheese. The stock markets are a shade brighter, but prices still rule low. There .is no scarcity of feed where farms have not been over stocked during the summer months.