WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3178, 20 April 1871, Page 3

WAI RARA PA.

(Fuom ouii own Correspondent.)

THE LOWKH VALI.KY

This portion of the Wairarapn, being distant from the trunk road and the several townships, is seldom visited by travellers, and lias not had that attention directed to it which it deserves. It has lately been constituted a road district, which extends from the Ruamahunga river to Cape Palliser, and comprises 79,000 acres of rateuble land, including sou;e 18,000 acres occupied by Messrs E. and 0. Pharazyn on the const. At the last meeting of the Board of Wardens a uniform rate of a halfpenny ar» acre was assessed, and objections are nppo : nted to bo heard on tne 24th inst Mr 0. Pharazyn intends | to object to the assessment on the ground that a uniform rate is unfair in a district where the land is naturally of very unequal value, and also on the ground that his property lies at a great distance from the roads which will be ' benefited by the proposed expenditure. His rate amounts to £38 11s 3d. In the meantime the repair of existing and the construction of new bridges are being proceeded with on the principal | road in the districl. The want of a biidge over the Ruamahunga is very seriously fell, and many valuable lives have be< j n lost owing to its absence. ] learn that Mr H agger ty contemplates placing a punt on the river ; and, as it will prove a great boon to the district, it is hoped that the settlers and the board of wardens will give him all the assistance in their power. On Sunday, the 11th inst, the Bishop of Wellington paid a hurried visit to the lower valley, lie held a service in the evening at Huangarua, and the next day baptized a number of children connected with the station. The necessity of providing some means of religious instruction for the sparse but not inconsiderable population scattered between the Ruamahunga and the Coast was foiced on the Bishop's attention, and will probably huve the effect of directing the attention of the Synod at its next sitting to this subject. The only minister who visits the eastern side of tl • l-lunnia'-unga is the Rev. J. Ross ; and at a meeting held at the new township of Waiber.ga some time ago, at which the Hon. G. W. Waierhouse presided, it was resolved to erect a Presbyterian church ; and I am informed that the project is being well supported by the settlers, and that a sufficient sum of money has already been subscribed to warrant the belief that the erection of a suitable building will shortly be commenced. At that meeting the total absence of any educational means in the neighborhood was much deplored, for, though there are not many children, the few there are have no school to go to. There ought to be no district in the colony without a public school, and if a neighborhood cannot support one of itself, an educational rate not upon each house, but upon the annual value of all property in the district, should supply the deficiency One of the largest landowners in the district, I have the honor to be assured, and the satisfaction to state, would gladly pay such n tax rather than see the rising generation grow up in ignorance and its too frequent attendant vice. "We are all looking anxiously forward to the promised measure of the Government on this subject. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. The great rale case, Lucas v Hirschberg, after sundry adjournments, came on for hearing at the above Court on Tuesday, before H. S. Wavdell, Esq., R.M. I was in hopes I should have heurd the result of the hearing in time to send by this post, but tho late hour at which it came on has prevented me from doing so. Whether for or against the plaintiff, an appeal to the Supreme j Court will be granted. Solicitor for the j plaintiff, Mr Allan ; for the defendant, Hart and Buckley. I ! nonsrc hack. The match for £50 aside between Mr Clarke's horse Balrownie, and Mr R. Greathead's horse Little Wonder, came oil, pursuant (o arrangement, on the Mania Race Course, Masterton, on Monday last, The distance was two ; miles, and notwithstanding the weather, the course was in fair condition. Each horse had its backers, but odds in favor of Balrownie weie freely offered and taken. A cold south-easter prevented so large an attendance as was expected to witness tho result of the match. The race was won by Little Wonder by a nock, P>alro\vnic, it is said, not being in first-rate condition. NEW HIGHWAY ACT. 1 am gratified to state that it is lh» intention of the Provincial Secretary to introduce a new Uighway Bill at the meeting of the Council, and that the various road boards have been consulted as to its principles und provisions. It is true that the Provincial Executive exhibited some signs of life, aud I like this us a favorable indication that it will do so. 1 may just hint that an Act or Acts will be required with reference to the railway and immigration policy of the Government, agreeably with the provisions of tho " Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870." The General Government is doing its part, and it is necessary (hat the members of the Provincial Council .should do theirs.