GREYTOWN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5562, 25 January 1879, Page 3

GREYTOWN.

(FROM our own correspondent.) January 24. His Worship the Mayor has already rendered himself liable to the forfeiture of his newly acquired dignity by accepting a subordinate office under the Council, namely, that of its treasurer. The Wairarapa Daily at once pointed out that no member of the Council can by law hold any position of trust under the borough. I am surprised the fact did not make itself apparent to our municipal fathers that the office of treasurer for the borough is not a merely honorary one, like that of some ordinary lay society, or some such thing as a committee for the distribution of pills amongst sick niggers, but is one that peculiarly needs the services of a skilled book-keeper and painstaking officer. No one, perhaps, would be more fitting for the post than Mr. Frethey, the town clerk. I hope the Council at its next meeting will see fit to remedy this error, and I would also suggest to each and all the councillors the advisability, I may say the (necessity, of becoming acquainted with the details of the Municipal Corporations Act, without a knowledge of which it is not to be expected they will have a very clear idea of the functions pertaining to their office. The Greytown school was re-opened after the vacation on Monday, but was allowed a holiday on Wednesday, Anniversary Day, for the enjoyment of a picnic provided for it by the committee. There were more than 150 children on the ground, together with a good number of ladies and gentlemen. The weather was delightful, which, with the pleasant shade afforded by the clump of bush selected as the scene of mirth, made the affair a most enjoyable one to young and old. Refreshments of various kinds, suitable to the tastes of little folks, were in abundance. Games, such as races, rounders, cricket, swings, croquet, &c., were kept up till evening, after which prizes to the number of about fifty were distributed to the most deserving scholars, for their progress made during the past year. Many thanks are due to the school committee, especially to Mr. Bock, the energetic chairman, for their care in providing so successful a treat, as well as for their exertions in leading off in all the fun of the day.

Races were held at Taratahi on the same day, but were very poor, I believe, and not very well attended. Mr. F. H. Wood, who contested the election for Mayor of Greytown, has suffered the sad loss of his wife, a lady who was very much esteemed. Mrs Wood was attacked with low fever at the time of the late election, which terminated fatally on Tuesday afternoon. The utmost sympathy is felt throughout the community for Mr. Wood, who is left with a large family of little ones—the youngest an infant three weeks old. The Standard is about to receive an addition to its staff in the person of Mr. W. Bock, who will act as its manager. Mr Book, who is very favorably known as an active man of business, will also open an office for himself in an independent line as commission agent, &c., his whole time not being restricted to the services of our excellent journal. The large and commodious additions to the Rising Sun Hotel are nearly completed, and give that establishment a very imposing appearance for a country town. I understand the proprietors intend introducing gas, on the latest plan, throughout the whole house. Still more extensive additions are about to be made to the Foresters’ Arms Hotel by Mr. Jones. Mr. B. A. Wakelin has found himself compelled, by his growing trade, to erect a still further extension to his steam-planing mill and door factory at South Greytown. These are signs of advancement, notwithstanding the suspense over the matter of our branch railway.