FEATHERSTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5422, 13 August 1878, Page 3

FEATHERSTON.

(j'HOJI A COiIBESPOXDEN'T.) August 10. Tha Wairarapa public anti authorities are at length bestirring themselves in the matter of a demonstration on the opening of the railway to Featherston. The engine is now seen daily within a mile of the township. The station, new telegraph and post offices, and other buildings connected with the line, are all but completed, and certainly present a very neat appearance. We may therefore expect to have the whole matter finished in a few days. What form the demonstration will assume does not yet appear, but we hope that it will he worthy of such an important event as the joining of the extensive and fertile Wairarapa Plains with Wellington by a line of rail. Laud not only in Featherston but further up the valley is now changing hands at an increased price. One acre near the station at Featherston sold last week for £7OO, and several lots not far off have realised equally good prices. Mr. Wilson’s hotel is nearly completed, and is a very fine building. Wo hope that an increase of both permanent residents and casual visitors, after the railway is open, will prove equal to tho maintenance of this and other contemplated hotels. There is some doubt of the traffic being drawn to the northeastern part of tha township. The Kev. A. Knell, rural dean of Wairarapa, and incumbent of the churches of Greytown .and Featherston, has for some time past been in a bad state of health, and has now gone on a voyage to Australia. Before leaving, his friends in the Valley presented him with a purse containing £l5O, as a token of their goodwill and sympathy, and they hope the rev. gentleman will come back restored to health at the end of his tour, which will occupy probably three month’s time. The shook of earthquake mentioned in your telegrams was felt here shortly before 8 in tho morning, and lasted about twenty seconds. It was preceded by a rumbling noise, but was not severe. A minstrel company has lately been started here called the “ Birnutaka Blackbirds.” The management promises success, and they will warble for the first time in public in about a month.

The Grcytown teacher must be affected with the infirmity of the Standard, or he never would have afflicted the public with the ridiculous letter that appeared in the New Zcalander last week. Beally he ought to have been thankful to the Board of Education for keeping the matter as quiet as possible, notwithstanding the elicitations of oue very conspicuous member. Without entering into the merits or demerits of the letter, we cannot shut our eyes to one fact which he brought out, namely, the justice of the Inspector’s report. I hope that Greytown, like its teacher, will not always have to think of the ** days that are past.”