WAIRARAPA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 2116, 15 October 1864, Page 3

WAIRARAPA.

(from our own correspondent,) Masterton, 10th October. The Greytown "Volunteers have attained the enviable notoriety of being tho " crack" company of the Wairarapa, so far as their regimental appointments are concerned. The Featherston Company proudly display a handsome set of colors, presented to them by their lady friends as a tribute to their patriotic gallantry. It now remains for the Masterton dames and demoiselles to set their gentle minds and fair fingers to work to present a set of colors to their own gallant protectors, such as will rank superior to all, being those of the pioneer settlement of the Wairarapa. The Greytown Volunteers bave adopted the regulation uniform, with the exception of the cap, which is in the Defence Corps style, being minus a peak, and handsomely trimmed witb a broad silver band. Some of the company's rules are rather stringent, such as 5s fine for absence from drill. Relative to their drill days,- there is no "weather-permitting" exemption, and consequently their fines and forfeits have reached a good round sum. They lately procured from Sydney a complete set of instruments for a brass band, costing ,£7O. Mr Colo has been ongaged as their temporary instructor. I alluded in my last letter to tho receipt by the King natives of national flags from Waikato. The one which was to bo erected in this district was hoisted half-mast high, saluted, and lowered. I opine tho matter will end with tbis minor demonstration ; but it is impossible to form a decided opinion on the course events may take. The King natives are always well posted up as to the movements and action of their compatriots in the various embryo " seats of war" in the Northern Island. Lately the natives in the vicinity of Major Coote's land on tho Opaki, tried to place an embargo on the erection of a water power saw-mill, under the assumption that the land was a nativo reserve. This native reserve ruso is an old and oft practised dodge of the Maoris, by which they have often succeeded in " raising the wind," but in this instance they wore unsuccessful, judgment being given against them by Mr Wardell. I have observed that the Maori constables i belonging to the native " institution" are j occasionally made generally useful in the serving of summonses, their principal occupations 0.H.M.5., being to attend fche R.M. Court iv full costume, and in a listless vacancy watch the proceedings until the final judgment is pronounced. Magistrates and policemen, in the Colony generally, appear to be possessed with tbe fallacious opinion that a summons is served if ifc is placed on tho recipient's table, handed to a servant, shoved through the key-hole, or otherwise deposited in his domicile. This is substantially incorrect. A summons is not legally served until it has been read out by the officer to its intended recipient. The Government havo lately had under consideration the supplementing ofthe Defence Corps stationed in tho Wairarapa, by the addition of ten unmarried Maoris. Six were to be selected from Greytown, and four from Mastorton. It has been found impos- | sible to ohtain any eligible singlo young men, all being bound with the matrimonial chain. Natives as a rule select their gentlo partners early in life, but the main reason rests with tlie native girls, wbo always act as if under tbe impression that it is leap year, and by letter or otherwise mako overtures and proposals. Apropos of leap year reminds me that I may be permitted to bring before the i notice of your lady readers an ordinance of Queen Elizabeth, which enacts, that during leap year any spinster may make a proposal of marriage to any bachelor, and upon the refusal of her hand and heart, she is thereby empowered to arraigu him at a common court of justice, where he shall be mulcted in the full penalty of 40 silver shillings, and to present her with a new silk dress. This " old maiden law was never repealed, and is yet valid and in full force. To my knowledge a case of this kind was actually tried in England within the last seven y^ari, and decided in the lady's favor.