WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3532, 24 June 1872, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(From our Own Co-respondent.) The anriual inspection by Colonel Harrington is an event of primary importance to our Wairarapa Volunteers. The appointed day is looked forward to with extreme interest by officers, commissioned and non commissioned, as well as by the rank and file of' the various corps, be they mounted on the prancing steed, or proudly wend their way to the parade ground on " shanks' pony." The date for the inspection of the Masterton Volunteers was the 18tb. The Rifle Volunteers turned out in full force on the morning of that day, at the butts on the Upper Plain, and wailed there two hours in the drenching rain ; but, to their intense annoyance, no Colonel Harrington appeared. This is much to be regretted; 1 as ; this company is well up in drill, and has been complimented on more than one occasion by the Adjutant, Captain Cleland, whose good opinion is the acme of every volunteer's ambition. The Wairarapa Cavalry Volunteers, anxious to maintain the good reputation of last year, also mustered in full force, but only to be disappointed. If these men could come, some of them near twenty mile 3, and wait two hours in the pelting rain, would it have been too great a risk to the gallant colonel's health to come upon the parade ground in a mackintosh ? At Carterton, on the 19th, the Rifle 'Volunteers .mustered in the Town Hall to the number of 45, at 9.30 a.m. After waiting two hours and a-half, they dispersed, no Colonel having made his appearance. . I must, however, state that the rivers may have detained him, it having rained continuously for two days. Thursday, the 20th, dawned more propitiously, and the Greylown volunteers turned out in great numbers.' The Bifle Volunteers, under Captain Udy,

mustered in the forenoon. After putting them through various evolutions, he complimented them highly upon their solderlike appearance sM drill ; find was glad to see that volunteering »\ na ; . as had been predicted at head-quarters, decidedly on the increase. One fault only he found — talking in the ranks — a very trivial one, no doubt, in the eyes of a civilian, but rather a serious one looked at from a military point of view. This corps is very efficient indeed. The Grey town Cavalry Volunteers fell in on the afternoon of the same day, under the command of Captain J. E. J. Boys, a thorough volunteer, in whom is the real esprit de corps. At the last inspection the Colonel took some exception to their horses not being bitted alike, a defect not to be wondered at when they have to find their gear at their own expense. This year not only did the Colonel give them the highest praise for the really fine order in which they had their horses, but complimented them upon their general turn out, horses bitted not only alike, but having bridles, cross-bar, &c, everything complete, in proper cavalry style, with blanket fitted as a poncho, strapped on the saddle in front. He was glad, really glad, to give them such well-merited praise. Most probably Colonel Harrington will return at the- end of the week to Carter ton and Masterton to inspect the volunteers there, in which case I shall give particulars next week, also of the inspection of the Featherston Rifle Volunteers, on the 21st. Representatives from the various road boards in the Featherston district met at the Bush Hotel, Morrison bush, on Saturday the loth inst to deliberate on the division of this district into wards. The assessor, Mr'Tully, had at the request of the executive, divided the districts into seven wards. The meeting to which Mr Tully was invited, and at which the Hon Mr Waterhouse attended on his arrival from town, decided after some discussiou upon recommending a division into ten wards, four on the east side of theßuamahunga, and six upon the west. It wou'd encroach too much upon the space allotted to me to define the boundaries of wards as agreed upon at that meeting, subject as they are likewise, to the consent of Government. Mr A. J. Ordish has favored us with another exhibition of his panorama, a woiji that reflects great credit upon the exhibitor, and is really deserving of the patronage of those who appreciate local works of art, all the figures being of his own making. The body of the man Woods, drowned in the Mataikuna River some months ago, ha 3 not yet been found. Sharks abounding in that locality, it is feared he has found a tomb in their maws. The Waingawa bridge is progressing fast ; the last piles are expected to be driven this week. The Masterton Flax Company is defunct Mr Rikys, the manager, or late manager (which I cannot tell, shareholder though unfortunately I am) clears out in a few days. When the calls still unpaid have been collected there will be nearly enough, to pay off " liabUities.~irnoilier call WTII tie required to cover any deficiency. Mr Smith, surveyor, haviDg completed the trig, station on the Rangituma, has transferred the scene of his operations to the Forty-mile Bush, where in conjunction with Mr Kelleher, the district surveyor, he is engaged in the survey of the land to be allotted to the Scandinavian, and also a block ultimately designed for settlement on the system of deferred payments. Most assuredly our Executive are acquitting themselves well in purchasing and opening up for settlement, the quite recent terra incognita of the Forty-mile Bush. The surveyors likewise are making almost superhuman efforts to complete their allotted work despite the extreme severity of the weather. The first of the subscription balls will take place in the Greytown Town Hall on the 27th inst. A large attendance is expected. The surplus funds, if any, will be at the disposal of the subscribers after the next ball. The hall itself has a good claim for what funds may accrue. It suils the convenience of our R.M. to hold court in Greytown once a month. He paid his monthly visit on the 20ih, when he had a pretty large sheet dispose of. I will make no comments here, as the list is sent herewith. . i The schoolmasters of the Fealherston educational (district will meet at Tauherenikau on the evening of Friday, the 28th inst., to consider the " situation." j Their decision is, if possible, to keep their schools open till the Board shall have been elected.