MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 21 May 1910, Page 13

MASTERTON NOTES.

INDUSTRIAL AND OTHERWIBE. EVENTS OF THE DAY. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton, May 20. So far as local institutions aro concerned (omitting, of course, licensed houses), Masterton is about as well equipped as any inland town in the Dominion. No matter what tho predilection of the inhabitant may be, he will find something here which will afford him entertainment during his leisure hours. Among other attractivo institutions is the Orchestral Society. This musical organisation, which possesses talent which might well bo envied by similar bodies in inoro important communities, holds its iirst concert of the Bea6on on Monday evening next. Compliment to Mr. Pryor. A decided compliment was paid Mr.W. Pryor, secretary of tho Employers' Association, by one of the sboarors' assessors at the sitting of the Conciliation Council this week. Tho assessor in question stated that Mr. Pryor had a better knowledge of the Arbitration Act and the awards made under it than any man in New Zealand, excepting, perhaps, his Honour Judge Sim. A concert, at which tho Mayor will preside, is to be held in Knox Church to-night, in aid of the District Nurses' Fund. Mr. P. Hally: A Tribute. A well-deserved tribute was paid Mr. I 1. Hally, Conciliation Commissioner, at the conclusion of the sitting of the Conciliation Council here. A resolution was passed on the motion of Mr. Abbott (representing the Bheai'era), and seconded by Mr. Ewan Campbell (representing the sbeepowners), placing on record the appreciation of tho assessors of the impartial manner ill which tho commissiouor had conducted the proceedings. In acknowledging the compliment, Mr. Httlly stated that, although there wero many points upon which tho parties had boen unablo to agree, a number of contentious matters had been cleared up through the eniployors aud employees meeting together. Tho caso was of great importance to the whole of the Dominion, uud ho could not holp saying that, all things being considered, good Work had been dono.

There was a very largo congregation in Knox Church last evening, when a thanksgiving sorvico was hold. Tho llov. Bain M'Douald presided, and adidresses wero given by the captain of the Salvation Army and various clergymen. "The Air Bit Shrewdly." Thoso who expected that tho temperature to-day might bo warmer than usual, in consequence of the earth passing through the tail of Halloy's comet, have been somewhat disappointed. A heavy frost was experienced this morning, and throughout the day "tho air bit shrewdly." A telegraphic chess match between teams representing' the Masterton Chess Club and the Lower Valley is to be played on Saturday evening. Constable Townsend, who has been stationed in Mastoron for over three years, leaves in tho course of a few days for Nelson, whore ho will .act as plain clothes constable. Tho llov. W. Raino read a paper at tho weekly meeting of St. Matthew's Club this week, on "Tho Christian and Sunday." Four patients who wero sont to tho Msisterton Hospital with sore throats have been isolated, it being suspected that thoy_ aro suffering from diphtheria. None of the cases are, so far, regarded as serious. . Masonic.' The installation of Bro. J. B. Henry, ns Worshipful Master of Mnstcrton Masonic Lodge, took place on Wednesday evening. R.W. Bro. J. Moncrieft, P.G.M., acted as Installing Master, and W. Bro. F. J. .Hunn, P.M., as Director of Ceremonies. Visiting brethren were present in goodly numbers. Officers wore invested as follows:— 1.P.M., W. Bro. Reginald Foss; S.W., Bro. C. D. King; J.W., Bro. R. J. King; Chaplain, Bro. E. R. Wilson; treasurer, Bro. T. Wagg: secrotnry, Bro. R. J. Young; D.C.W., Bro. F. J. Hunn, P.M.; S.D., Bro. A, W. Chapman; J.D., Bro. AV. J. Winslade; 1.G., Bro. J. L. Hughes j organist, Bro. W. E. Chunn; S.S., Bro. C. M'Dougallj'J.S., Bro. ' R. Dickson; Tyler, Bro. W. Robins. ' The Maximum Penalty. A Native was charged in the Magistrate's Court this morning with failing to send his twelve-year-old girl to school, as required by the Education Act. Tho Truant Officer (Mr. J. Dinoon) stated that ho could havo preferred eight distinct charges against tho defendant, but ho had brought only ono. Ho asked that tho maximum penalty be imposed, as tho defondant bad frequently been warned. The Native told the Bench that hia child had been sick. Mr. C. C. Graham, S.M., said that if this woro so a doctor's certificate- could have been obtained. Tho Natives must bo taught, as well as Europeans, that their children must attond school. Tho maximum penalty of 10s., with 12a. costs, would be .imposed. Miscellaneous. Mr. J. C. Cooper, ohairman of directors of the Wellington Farmors' Freezing Company, leaves'for the South Isand in a few days' time on important business. Mr. John -Hessoy informs me that tho shares in the recently-floated "Success" Gold-dredging Company havo already boon over-subscribed. Mr. Richard Brown has been selected, from a number of applicants, ae secretary to tho Workers' Friend Building Society. A Fire. A newly-built six-roomed houso in South Road, Mastorton, owned by Honry Ruttor and unoccupied, was destroyed by fire at 2 o'clock this morning. Tho origin of the fire is not known, though it ie known that a chimney fire was burning yesterday. Trust Lands Trust. Messrs. AV. H. Jackson, D. Casolborg, and 11. Krahagon have been reelected members of tho Masterton Trust Lands Trust. King's Funeral. Friday was observed as a close holiday in Masterton, and flags wore flying half-must from manv buildings. A memorial sorvico was held in St. Matthew's Church at 11 o'clock, and from 1 o'clock to 2.30 tho Post Office and church bells tolled every few seconds. At 1.45 a procession of tho military, firn brigades, veterans, school cadets, local bodies, citizens, and Maoris, headed by tho Municipal Band, was formed in Church Street, and marched through Queen Street to the Show Grounds, where a very impressive memorial sorvico was conducted ! hi the presence of fully five thousand people. Not tho least interesting feature of the gathering was tho presence of a number of Native women with beads covered in weeping willows. An address, appropriate to tho occasion, was given by tho Rev. Mr. Watson.