WAVERLEY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 6272, 19 May 1881, Page 5

WAVERLEY.

(FBOM OUB OWST COI'.EESPOSDESr.) May 16. The winter has now set in in earnest, and we have already experienced a few pretty sharp frosts, while the recent rain has done a considerable amount of good to the land. We have had quite a lively time of it of late in our usually quiet township. The first of a series of quadrille assemblies was held on Thursday last, it being the intention of the committee to have them once a fortnight during the winter months. Judging from the first they are likely to be very successful. A musical society is also in course of formation, and the only wonder is that such a society was not formed long ago, there being a fair amount of talent in the district in the shape of vocalists as well as performers on various instruments. Our local performers should take pattern by our Patea neighbors, at which place the Harmonic Society is getting along so well that it has decided on building a Harmonic Hall.

Talking of public halls, I think our Waverley hall is second to none on the coast. It was built by a company registered under the Joint Stock Companies Act, with a capital of £IOOO. The annual meeting has just been held, and although no dividend was declared, still the balance-sheet showed a slight surplus. Town hall companies, as a rule, do not pay large dividends except in the large towns. We were on Friday favored with a lecture by Sir William Fox ou the subject of “ Travel in the Holy Land,” in aid of the funds of the Presbyterian Church. It is to be hoped our Town Board will bestir itself a little before the winter gets too far advanced. Waverley is one of the oldest townships on the coast to the north-west of Wanganui, yet, strange to say, not a solitary footpath is to be seen within its precincts. Visitors are continually expressing astonish-, ment at this. Certainly the small revenue derived from the rates would not go very far, but, in my opinion, it would be better to strike a special rate for the purpose rather than have the streets in their present condition.

Messrs. Bryce and Ballance have both addressed their constituents in Wanganui, and we expect to have the pleasure of hearing them here shortly. Our district is rather peculiarly situated as far as representation goes, being in the Patea District, the greater part of which is in the Egmont constituency while we are in the Wanganui constituency. An agitation is, however, on foot for a county representative. Our footballers made a start on Saturday last, having their first practice on that day. A match is arranged between the Wanganui and Patea county teams, which will probably be played on the Waverley ground, it being the most central place. The evidence in the case of Wilkinson, receiver of land revenue, showed that during about three months upwards of £25,000 passed through his hand- 1 , while he was receiving a salary of some £l3O per annum ; a strong temptation to a young man, this.