WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3916, 2 October 1873, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(from a correspondent.)

A great onslaught has been made on wild pigs on the Huangaroa run — nearly three hundred having been destroyed. Considerable herds are, however, still to be seen there, as well as on some of the adjoining stations, especially Mr Tully's, where they are said to be overwhelmingly numerous. The remuneration for killing those animals is sixpence each, which is not sufficiently adequate to induce anyone who can earn a fair livelihood at some other oocupafcion to undertake such work, the cost of powder and shot alone being items of expenditure that absorb nearly one-fourth of the allowance. Inasmuch as that wild pigs not only devour much grass, but also destroy young lambs, it would pay runholders to adopt more effective measures for their extermination than they have hitherto adopted ; and one way of doing this would be by increasing the individual reward for Bhooting them.

Large numbers of wild cattle have been shot for their hides on the East Coast during the past six months, by parties who have taken out licenses for the purpose, and who; I am informed, make excellent wages by the undertaking — the price of hides being good this year as compared to what it was last year. Neither the carcases nor the horns of the animals are utilised, although many of them are found to be in the best of condition, and might consequently be converted into beef, as is invariably done in the east territories of La Plata, in South America, on the boundless plains of which millions of cattle roam in all directions, and from which country thousands of tons of dried beef are exported annually.

The subscription lists for the races that are to come off at Tauherenikau in February next, are, it would appear, augmenting amazingly well, and the meet is looked forward to with no small interest by the lovers of the turf in the district The gentlemen appointed to carry out the necessary arrangements for the event are, in every respect, remarkably well adapted for the prompt and satisfactory discharge of the functions of their office, of which efficiency they have already given proof. Tauherenikau course is one of the best in the Wairarapa ; but, strange to say, no races have as yet been held thereon. It is both level and capacious, and possesses the additional advantage of being situated in the immediate vicinity of the main road.

The disciples of terpsichore are curious to know whether or not the grand entertainment that is to be given at the opening of the Waihenga bridge, is to be wound up with a dance, and if so, where is it to be held ? Various places have been suggested for the delightful amusement, but as it has not yet transpired where the banquet is to be discussed, the suggesters are somewhat at sea in the matter. This information will, of course, be imparted as soon as the requisite arrangements are matured, and all interested in the affair will then know about it. Should the weather prove favorable, the demonstration, it is prognosticated, will be one worthy of being long remembered in the valley. The ancient Romans celebrated such national events as the opening of roads and bridges with great eclat.

Our low-lying lands are, from the late heavy rains, partially inundated with water, and a few days of fine weather are much needed to dry them up to such an extent as to make them passable. In many places the aqueous lodgment is so great that it can only disappear by evaporation.

The contemplation of holding a regatta on Lake Wairarapa seems to have already formed a source of visionary pleasure to those of the residents of the dsstrict who are desirous that our little inland sea should be made the scene of aquatic sports annually. Amongst us are several old residents of Wellington and the Hutt, who affirm that they will not turn their backs upon any one in an oar contest. The most suitable site for a regatta is said to be a locality nearly two miles below Featherston.

During the thunder storm on Thursday, a large tree, in the vicinity of the residence of Mr Bidwill, of Pihautea, was struck by the electric fluid and completely shivered — several of the splinters being thrown many yards in various directions. The tree was also set fire to and continued burning for a day or two afterwards. The incident was noticed by Mr Barton, of Parinoa, who at the time was proceeding towards Pihautea, at a short distance from where the tree stood.

I hear it has been determined to hold a Wesleyan bazaar in the district ere long, the proceeds thereof to be appropriated to the liquidation of a debt upon one of the local chapels.

Nine drunkards were the other day brought up at the Auckland Police Court, nearly all of them being " men over fifty years of age and grey-headed." On this fact the "Southern Cross" remarks : —

" It is no wonder that there is so much juvenile crime in the city, as the youth, with such examples constantly occurring, are the more prone to imitate their seniors, and emulate them much sooner in vice than virtue." A correspondent does not agree with the opinion expressed by our contemporary, and writes: — "It is the fancied manliness of ' moderation' — ' using and not abusing' — that allures the thousands and tens of thousands from the pciths of rectitude ; which leads to intemperance, poverty, crime, and too frequently to a drunkard's premature grave. The father, teacher, doctor, lawyer, judge, mayor, member of parliament, general, admiral, minister of the Gospel, president, or king, who takes his tumbler of ale, glass of wine, tot of spirits, &c, as the case may be, is the example that is ruining alike the brightest sparks of genius, the loftiest intellects, and the semi-bar-barian Upon ' moderationists' why occupy high positions in society rests the direful evil of intemperance and its deadly curse. That poor wretch lying in the gutter, lost alike to dignity and reason, at one time basked in the fancied security of ' moderation ;' but • a glass too much' was taken, the happy medium was destroyed, and there he lies, a curse on moderation and a warning to youth to shun the errors of his ways."