WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3309, 3 October 1871, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(FROM OUR OWN COEBESPONDENT.) The first anniversary of the Morning Star Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites was celebrated by a public tea at the Town Hall, Greytown, on Thursday last. The weather was very cold and unfavorable, or the attendance would have been much larger. There was not that animation and enthusiasm which are necessary to make any cause successful. The Hall was much too large for the guests, and there were no flags, no colors, and no music to enliven i the place. With few exceptions every- j body appeared as gloomy as the weather, and doubtless that itself had a very dis- ! piriting effect. The low price charged for the purpose of securing a large attendance did not prove successful, and, consequently, the promoters of the meeting, who deserve all praise for their efforts, were disappointed and despondent. After tea, which was much too good for the price charged, a meeting was held, over which Mr Hart Udy, sen., presided. Mr Skipper read a very interesting temperance tale which was listened to with breathless attention. After which the Rev Mr M'Nichol delivered a lecture on total abstinence, which was warmly applauded. But by far ihe most pleasant part of the entertainment was the singing of a number of girls and boys under the tuition of the rev. lecturer, which was well worth the charge for admission to have the pleasure to listen to. They I deserved the applause they received. A fine intelligent boy, some twelve years old, the only son of Mr Robert Wilson, formerly of Bcrmhampore, met with a very serious accident on the Wharikaka plains, on Thursday last, which was of a more distressing nature than was at first anticipated. It ap pears that the pony on which he was out riding stumbled and fell, throwing his youthful rider, aud then rolling over him. Unfortunately the boy's leg came in contact with a stone or stump, and the weight of the horse pressing upon it, literally smashed the bone to pieces. It was at first thought that it cmld be set, but the symptoms appearing more serious, Dr Smith, who had been immediately sent for when the accident became known, consulted with Dr Spratt and Dr Hildebrand, and they at first concluded that the leg would have to be amputated. But subsequently the inflammation was reduced, and it is hoped that the leg will be spared, but the poor fellow is not yet out of danger, A more interesting or a better dispositioned boy, does not exist ; and as he is an only son, and much beloved by his parents, I sincerely trust, for their sakes, that he will be re stored to health. The accident which happened to the mail coach on Saturday was not half so | bad as it was at first reported. None of the horses were killed, or even injured, and all the passengers escaped uninjured. No blame is attached to the driver, who has the highest character for skill and carefulness. One of the leading horses slipped down the bank, and dragged, by his weight, the others after him. The passengers, mails, and horses arrived safely at Greytown about 7 o'clock on Saturday evening. The case of Lucas, collector of rates for the Greytown school committee, against Treethy, for non-payment of rates, came on for bearing at the Court House, Featberston, on Wednesday last, before S. Revans and C. Pharazyn, J.LVs, Mr Wardell not being sufficiently recovered from bis late serious illness to be present. The case excited more than ojdinary interest. The bench stated that if the defendant questioned the legality of the rate, or that of the committee, the case would have to be adjourned. He contended that, without entering into that question, he should be entitled to a verdict, as the collector had claimed the rate without stating for what year it was demanded, and without having given him the required notice before summoning him tor its non-payment. On referring to the act it was found that fourteen days' notice is required to be given after demanding the rate before obtaining a summons, and, as this notice had not been given, the case was dismissed with costs. The defendant claimed expenses for attending to a previous summons at Grey town, but the hearing was postponed. I observe with satisfaction that Mr Bunny is about to introduce bills relative to this subject, as it is most desirable that they should be placed on a more satisfactory footing than at piesent. I wish to remind him, and other , hon members, that though the members | of the Small Farm Association, of j which I am one, in public meeting at Greytown resolved that the management of these lands should be vested in trus tees elected by the householders of tho township, aud that the proceeds should bo devoted to educational purposes, it was at the same time distinctly pointed out and understood that " educational purposes" should be considered to embrace, not elementary instruction, but a public library and public grammar school, tho one at Rugby being specially referred to by Mr Masters as having been the making of that celebrated town. I myself pointed out that it was most probable that the General j Assembly would provide for the elementary instruction of youth, and it was generally agreed that the funds should be devoted to the establishment of a public library and grammar school, to which latter the children of settlers who had distinguished themselves at tho primary schools should have free admission. A resolution to this effect was I carried unanimously, both at Greytown and Masterton, in the year 1807, at meetings specially convened for the purpose. lam convinced that if caro be taken to prevent these town funds being appropriated for general purposes, and devoted to the objects here indicated, they will be the making o£ Greytown aud Masterton,