The Borough of Carterton was formed in 1887, the township previous to that time being governed by a local board, particulars relating to which will be found in the foregoing general description. The population of the borough is estimated at 1250, and the number of dwellings at 225, the total number of ratepayers being 240, and the number of rateable properties 330. A general rate is levied of three-fourths of a penny in the pound. Mr. G. W. Deller, the mayor for 1896, has held that important position for four consecutive terms, and the members of the Council are: Messrs. W. Moore, J. Applin, John Udy, J. Stevens, George A. Fairbrother, John Bassett, W. P. Allen, John Strang, and James Hodder. At the last election (September, 1896), Mr. Adam Armstrong, one of the sitting members, was defeated by Mr. J. Hodder, and Mr. J. Strang was re-elected. The Council meets on the last Monday in the month, the town clerk being Mr. H. H. Wolters.

Councillor Willie Moore, who has a seat on the Carterton Borough Council, was born in 1863 in Carterton, where he was educated at the local public school. Mr. Moore was brought up to mercantile life by his father, Mr. Thos. Moore, one of the principal storekeepers of the town. In Masterton he afterwards gained further experience during a residence of three years. In 1890 his father retired from active life, and Councillor Moore took over the business. He has always taken a great interest in outdoor sports, and has been captain of the local cricket club, and is president of several other clubs. A member of the Carterton Lodge of Freemasons, he was installed as W.M. in 1896. Mr. Moore held a captain's certificate in the old Carterton Rifle Volunteers, and at the examination of officers gained the highest marks of any officer in the Wairarapa. He has served two terms on the Carterton School Committee, and has been a councillor of the borough since 1893. Mr. Moore is married to a daughter of Mr. Edward Eagle, of Carterton. To Mr. Moore is also due the credit of the adoption of the early closing system in Carterton.

Councillor W. Moore.

Councillor John Udy is the second son of th[gap — reason: deleted] late Mr. Hart Udy, senr. Arriving in New Zealand with his father, he attended a school in Wellington, and after a few years came to the Wairarapa district, working at general farm work, till he joined his father and brothers in the Matarawa sawmill. When his father retired from the sawmill, Mr. Udy commenced farming on his own account. In 1881 he resumed sawmilling, settling at Waihakeke, which mill he is prepared to sell. His present holding, “Waiakakariki,” some seven hundred acres in extent, is sown in English grass, and stocked with sheep and cattle. Mr. John Udy and his brother, Mr. William Udy, were the first to open out the flax industry in the Carterton district. The subject of this notice constructed a bridge over the Ruamahunga, twenty-five feet in height, which was used for getting over logs to his sawmill. He is married, and has ten children. With his father and brothers he served in the Greytown Rifles for five years, under Captain Boys. At one time Mr. Udy took active interest as a member of the Greytown Cricket Club.

Councillor John Udy.

Councillor George Augustus Fairbrother, J.P., who was elected to the Council in 1895, is the third son of the late Mr. Richard Fairbrother, who was first mayor of the borough. Mr. Fairbrother was born in Carterton in 1858, and was educated at such local public and private schools as were available in his day. He joined his father in the storekeeping business; later he went into saw-milling, and in 1882 commenced business as a commission agent, to which reference is made hereafter. Mr. Fairbrother, who became a Good Templar at fifteen, lately represented Wairarapa at Grand Lodge meetings at New Plymouth and Auckland, and now acts as superintendent of the local tent of Juvenile Rechabites. He served on the school committee for some time, and now sits as a member of the Library Committee and of the Licensing Committee. In 1893 he made one in the triangular contest for the Wairarapa seat in the House of Representatives, but was not successful. Mr. Fair-brother is married, and has four sons and a daughter.

Councillor G. A. Fairbrother.

Mr. H. H. Wolters, Town Clerk of the Borough of Carterton, was born in Germany in 1845, and arrived in New Zealand when twenty-one years of age. He came to the Wairarapa in 1878, and for the last sixteen years has held his present position. Mr. Wolters also holds the offices of secretary of the Wairarapa South County Council and of the Taratahi-Carterton Road Board. He is, page 904 in addition, a financial and insurance agent, being district manager for the Phœnix Fire Office and for the Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society. Mr. Wolters has a farm in the locality of the town, and spends some of his spare time as a breeder of sheep. He is married, and has four children.

Carterton Public Library, which is located n convenient premises erected for the purpose on freehold land in Library Street, was established in 1874. There are 3550 volumes, comprising a good assortment of works by standard authors. The subscription is ten shillings per annum. The officers (1896) are: Messrs. W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R. (patron), W. Booth, J.P. (president), W. Downard (secretary), E. W. Dorset, H. H. Wolters, J. Brown, W. Downard, J. Bairstow and Dr. Johnston (committee), and W. Parker (librarian).

The Carterton Fire Brigade was established in 1890. The station is situated at the back of the Marquis of Normanby Hotel. The Brigade, which holds fortnightly practices, is equipped with two of Mereweather's manual engines and the necessary appliances. The officers (1896) are: Messrs. J. A. Dudson (captain), R. Fairbrother (lieutenant), N. Dixon (foreman), and H. Wakelin (secretary).