LOWER WHAREAMA.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 317, 17 November 1879, Page 2

LOWER WHAREAMA.

(fjbom ora OWN correspondent) Nov. 10,1879. The usual monthly meeting of the Highway Board waa held at Tenui on Saturday last. There was a larger amount of buai-

ness than usual, a considerable quantity j of which was relative to the appointment of a road overseer in the place of Mr Baker, resigned. There were fourteen' applicants for this billet, many of whom had first-class recommendations from engineers and surveyors in various parts of the colony. The Board, however, thought local talent preferable, and appointed Mr! J. A. Perry, a gentleman who, from his.! long residence in the district, is well known to most people here, It is surprising that such a small number of wardens (four) attended this meeting when it is considered that an appointment cf the greatest possible importance and moment to the whole of the ratepayers in the district was about to be decided. Do they lack interest in the general welfare of the district and only attend when they desire a,few pounds spent in their own particular wards ? I fear Mr Groves will be a loss to the Board, for he was a regular attendant at the meetings and brought sound commonsenseto bear on all subjects of interest to the district. Mr J, Langdon is the warden elected in Mr Groves' place; he is new to the work, but from a long residence here should know our local wants. Several tenders were received for metalling 20 chains of the Cashpoint road. I understand that of Mr Hart, at £3 5s per chain was accepted. The other offers were some £2 per chain in excess of this. A letter was received by the Board from Mr J. Bennet, of Langdale re repairing the Mangapakeha road. .He pointed out that the firm to which he belongs had been obliged to remove some of the slips on this road at their own expense, and urged on the Board the necessity of taking some action towards making it passable for wheel traffic. The inference to be drawn from a portion of his letter is that should the Board not take steps re repairs, there is a possibility of the Black Hill road (which passes through a portion of the Langdale property being closed against trafhc. It is a guneral impression that this road (Black Hill) was to be left open to the public provided the lower line, via the Mangapakeha bridge and Whareama Flats through Mr Peach's was decided on as the mam line of road to Tenui. If it is in Mr Bennet's power to close this road and should he see fit to exercise it, the inhabitants of Tinui may find themselves put to some inconvenience when desiring to take a short cut on horseback or with stock when travelling to Masterton. It would possibly be advisable for the people immediately interested in this matter to take steps to ascertain what right the public have to this road.

With reference to the Mangapalceha road, I hear the Board decided to expend £SO in repairs, this amount being thought sufficient to make it passable for wheel traffic,

There is a rumor that a firm in the Wairarapa intend running a coach from Masterton to Castle Point, as soon as the road is fit for vehicles. It is to be hoped this is correct, and if so that the inhabitants here will do all in their power to aid and assist the enterprising individuals who are inclined to risk the undertaking. At last the Government have purchased two acres at Tinui from Messrs Kenrick & Co., as a site for a police station. It has, I understandii frontage to the Castle Point road, and is in a fairly central position. It is reported the price paid was £l2O per acre. When will "Kenrick Town" cease to be but a name, and become a reality ? We trust soon, and that this sale to the Government is the thin end of the wedge that will split it up into town allotments.

Judging from the framework of Mr Miller's new hotel at Tenui the house will be rather small for the requirements of the district. For some reasons it is as well that it is being built on the old site, for had it been at or near the Tinui store, the worshippers of Bacchus who frequent "pubs'would have been in the very midst of our most crowded thoroughfare, annoying passers by with their unsteady steps and choice adjectives, Cricket is on the tapis here, eleven shearers employed in the district having challenged eleven of the inhabitants of linui and Whareama to play a match, inis challenge will doubtless be accepted, At any rate, steps have been taken to form a club, On Saturday evening, a preliminary meeting was held at the Tinui Hotel for the purpose of effecting this object, A committee was formed, and a meeting appointed to be held at the Public Hall, at 3 p.m. on Saturday 15th inst. for the purpose of the enrolment of members, drawing up rules, and other general business connected with the club All lovers of this truly English game are requested to attend and help make the affair a success, We much require something here to enliven us, and should this club be properly started and carried on. it will do some little towards affording amusement to many people other than the actual players, Eventually, if we consider ourselves strong enough, I see no reason why conclusions should not be tried with our Wairarapa cricketing ™ ~i may mention that Messrs JWaunsell Brothers have generously offered the Club the use of one of their paddocks for practice ground, and from appearances it is the most suitable place adjacent to Tinui.

The weather lately being all that could be desired for shearing, this work is proprogressing favorably throughout the district, The Manawa flock (Mr Wingate's) is shorn, the shearers from there going to Messrs Maunsell Bros,, Tinui, where work will commence to-day. At lea the wether flock is shorn, the hands employed having returned to Langdale (Elder and Co.'s) to complete the Bhearino there, During the last week Mr Telford" Sheep Inspector, has been employed in his official capacity at the latter station. I understand the sheep have passed to this gentleman's satisfaction. Very little, if any, scab now exists in the northern portion of this district. Several flocks, however, to the south of the Whareama river are infected.

Thursday, Nov., 13th. A warm rain set in last night.' This will be welcome to persons having crops, and will do good generally, the grass on the hills requiring a little moisture. Persons shearing, will, no doubt, grumble, and be put to some inconvenience. In your issue of the sth instant I notice a letter signed " One of the Disappointed." This gentleman is evidently correct in much he states, but surely he might have had the taste and delicacy to have reserved his criticism until after the forthcoming Pastoral Show had taken place,