WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2896, 30 September 1869, Page 4

WAIRARAPA.

[JFHOM OWE OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

GEEYTOWN EOAD DISTBICT.

The adjourned meeting of the ratepayers of the above district was held at the Court House last Friday afternoon, Mr Braithwaite in the chair. It will be recollected that the meeting was adjourned until the 24th inst for the purpose of obtaining the opinion of the Provincial Solicitor as to whether those liable to pay rates were qualified to vote for the election of wardens, seeing that during the past year no rate had been levied. Some surprise and indignation was expressed that no reply had been received from the Government relative to this point, as many of those present had come a distance of some 12 or 15 miles for the purpose of taking an active part in the proceedings. Mr Revans pointed ont that as they had now met together the question relative to the propriety of dividing the district could be discussed. He, and the majority of the late board, were opposed to any division, as they did not see any difficulty in justice being done to every part of the district under the present system. Messrs. Bidwell and Vennell said that the ratepayers of the southern part of the district had learned with astonishment that their properties had been made to constitute a portion of the district of Greytown, with which they had no connection. Mr Arnot supported this view of the question, and said that as the board was now defunct, two districts could now be proclaimed to meet the views of the ratepayers of not only the Tauherenikau or southern division of the district, but those of Greytown also. Mr Vennell said he should have no objection to the affairs of the district being administered by one board if the funds raised in. the two divisions were equitably divided. Mr Revans said that the late board had, as far as possible, kept that object in view. He was iv favor of the meeting proceeding to elect a Board of Wardens, and to impose a rate, on the understanding that unless tho Government gave one or two equivalents no rate would be levied. Mr Arnot considered that they were not in a position to do anything, and he would move that the I meeting do now adjourn sine die. Ultimately a motion, that the (Jhairman leave the chair, was carried with four dissentients. Now it was ascertained that there was a strong feeling against the dijajp^jafche district, aud the question waafl^^H^Htefc.nimation

and spirit which was a 8 ill-timed as it was surprising. The meeting, in fact, decided the question first, and deliberated afterwards. Had they not thus put the cart before the horse a different conclusion would have been arrived at. When the answer is received from the Government another meeting will be convened. CARTERTON ROAD BOARD. A meeting of the ratepayers of Carterton was held on Tuesday last, which was most disorderly throughout. Eventually, a Board of Wardens was elected, and a rate of 6d per acre imposed. The Wardens for the ensuing year are Messrs Bennett, Davis, Sullivan, Vickerstaff, E. Wakelin, and Walker. At meeting, as well as at those held at Masterton and Grey town, there was a strong feeling manifested against local taxation for local improvements, though to the resident farmer the money paid in rates for good roads is much less than he would have to pay in carriage and the wear and tear of live and dead stock supposing he had no roads at all, while even to the absentee the additional value given to his land more than counterbalances the amount he pays in rates. The disinclination to pay rates on the part of the settlers here has lost the district thousands of pounds from the provincial chest. WAIEAKAPA EACE COUBSE. Men have been busy during the past few days in removing the scrub from the new public race- course at Tauherenikau, and today they will commence to plough it prepa ratory to its being laid down in grass. This course formerly constituted a ferry reserve, and has been diverted from its legitimate objects for the purpose of being made into a public race-course — three or four acts having been in succession passed for the purpose before this object could be legally effected. It is supposed that the course will be in good condition before the annual races, which may now be considered a permanent local " isstitution," owing to the energy and spirit displayed by the Wairarapa Jockey CJub, which is also another of our local institutions. MOBOA SCHOOL, The re-opening of the Moroa Common School will be celebrated by a tea party and ball on Friday next, the Ist proximo, for which the ladies' committee are making great preparations. The profits are to be devoted to school improvements. The new master — Mr Thos. Wakelin— contemplates opening a boarding school in connection with the above, which will prove a great convenience to the children of settlers living in a sparsely populated district like the one in which the school is situated. There is a sixroomed residence in connection with the school, together with large gardens and play grounds, which reflect credit on the public spirit of the settlers and the liberality of the Government, by means of which only could such advantages be obtained in an outlying district. NUISANCES. The very name of "District Highways Act" shews that it was never, contemplated to bring it into operation in country towns like those of Greytown, Featherston, &c, and the fact of an acreage instead of an assessment rate being imposed is a further proof that for such places it is not adapted. The result of placing towns within a Highway district might be to give, in the election of Wardens, and the imposition of rates, an overwhelming- preponderance to town votes. It is the duty of the Government therefore to provide some other machinery for the management of the local affairs of country towns, which should also have power to remove nuisance and make bye-laws for its own protection. Greytown is at present afflicted with more than one nuisance, with reference to which a Town Board is required, and it should at the same time be excluded from a Highway district. My attention has been called to a practice which has become of late in vogue of pilfering poultry, and which another practice — that of raffling — may afford undue temptations or facilities. A Town Board ought to be in a position to abate such nuisances, while it ia manifest that town residents should not be in a position to outvote the couutry settlers on matters so much affecting the latters interests as that of the payment of rates and the construction and repair of highways. I trust that in the ensuing session the Government will take this matter up. THE "WEATHEE AND THE CEOPS. Until last week the weather was very dry and warm for this season of the year, but at full moon a change took place, and many heavy showers have fallen in most parts of the valley. The wheat and grass crops now look well, and though a dry season appears to be generally anticipated, it is thought that the wheat has now obtained sufficient strength to maintain its growth .against the heat by which it is expected the coming summer will be distinguished. The spots on the sun, by which this year is marked, are now generally believed to have a great influence on the seasons, and it has also been remarked that our winter and summer months follow those of England. If this should be the case now, a very dry summer will be experienced both in New Zealand and Australia. A more pleasant and favorable winter than the past one hus seldom been witnessed.