MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 829, 30 May 1910, Page 2

MASTERTON NOTES.

THE MINERALS IN THE MOUN TAINS,

AND THE CHANCE OP WORKING THEM. (From Our Special CorresDonfleafcJ Masterton, May 28. A statutory meeting of the Wairarapa Minoral Prospecting Company, Limited, was held at Masterton on Friday, when Messrs. M. Caselberg, A. Hathaway, A. Henderson, and G. W. Sellar were elected directors. Mr. Henderson was oleeted chairman and Mr. R. Brown permanent secretary. The company is sanguino that there exists in tho neighbourhood of Masterton important mineral resources which could bo advantageously developed. In this connection it is interesting to know that, prior to his unfortunate disappearance, Mr. T. Donnelly, a well-known prospector, had pegged out a claim at the foot of the Tararua Ranges.

At tho fortnightly meeting of tho Knox Literary and Musical Association, Miss 2. Williams, 8.A., read ail interesting paper oil the poet Longfellow. The reading was followed by a musical programme. The building extension scheme of the Y.M.O.A. appears to be commending itself to tho practical sympathy of the public. With the assistance of an energetic band of ladies, the secretary has succeeded in already securing a siim of £800. It has been decided to at once call for tenders for the erection of. rooms over thoso at present in use, and for a gymnasium.

An Operation That Pays. . . As showing the good work which is being done' in the. wool-classing division of the Mastcrton Technical School, it may bo mentioned that Messrs. L«vin and Co., Ltd., recently forwarded to a London wool-broker a clip classed by a pupil of the school. The broker states that the wool was very carefully classed, and that no improvement in its got-np could bo isuggosted. Tho wool this year brought 12 7-Bd. per lb., whilst last year, when unclassod, it realised only Bjjd. Letting the Town Hall. The Town Hall in Masterton, which was erected some twelve years ago, and has not been what may be considered a paying proposition, has been let for a term (unoccupied nights only) to _ a syndicate which will exhibit West's pictures. Probably thero is no hall in the Dominion that is better adapted for this class of entertainment than tho Town Hall. Tho Very Rev. D. J. O'Sullivan, recently of Egypt) who is conducting an African mission in New Zealand, delivers a lecture in the Town Hall on Monday evening next. The monthly meeting of the committee of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday afternoon, Mr. G. C. Summerell presiding. The secretary reported a credit balance of £10. Letters were road from the Dannevirke and Eketahuna Chambers in reference fee tho inconvenience occasioned by the new system of sending out telephone debit notices. As the Postal Department has evidently modified its proposals in the matter, no action was taken.

New Courthouse. According to Mr. A..W. Hogg, M.P., plans are now being prepared by the Government architect- for tho proposed now courthouse in Masterton. It is confidently anticipated that, with luck in its favour,: tho town may have its hew building somewhere about November, 1911. At a meeting of managers of the Masterton Technical School, at which there were present Messrs. E. Feist (chairman), W. H. .Tackson, E. H. Waddington, and Dean M'Kenna,. Miss M. Johnston, who is removing to Auckland, tendered her resignation as instrustress in dressmaking. It was reported that sixteen pupils were available for woolclassing classes at To Wharau, and between tweney and thirty at Tonui. Tho opinion was expressed by the manager that provided Sir. Wood (instructor) can find the time he should render every assistance in the formation of classes at the places named. The treasurer reported a credit balance at date of £258 19s. 2d. Considering that the South Island dates conflict, the Masterton Collie Club has received excellent nominations for the competitions which are to be held at To Ore Ore on Thursday and Friday next. Some of the best dogs in Hawke's Bay and the AVairarapa will .compete. A weight-guessing competition lias been added "to the list of attractions at tho gathering.

Alcohol in Perfumes. Mr. C. C. Graham; S.M., mentioned in tho Magistrate's Court last week that various perfumes contained alcohol, and were consumed by sections of the public. Eau do cologne was particularly fancied, by some people. The question was raised by counsel whether the sale of eau do cologne in lesser quantities than two gallons was permissible in a No-License district.

Morris-tube shooting has been practised in Mastevton for sevoral years, and has proved of great value to young shots. It is hoped that ere long a miniature rifle range will be provided at tho school for' tho use of cadets. These ranges iiro becoming very popular in other parts of the Dominion.

Educational. The average attendauco at tho various schools in the Masterton district is being maintained in a very satisfactory manner. Last year the average at the Masterton District High School and side school was 790, at Lansdowne 111, at Fernridge 78, at Opaki 24, at Te Oro Ore 32, and at Rangitumau 10. Thus, within a radius of three miles of the post office, there was an average attondanco of 1015 children attending primary schools last year.

■ The inspectors of the Wellington Education Board in their annual report state;—" The thanks of the board aro due to the managers of the Masterton Technical School for establishing a class for teachers in drawing. As it was held on Saturday afternoons, an awkward time for country teachers, it was consequently not as well attended as a morning class would have been."

In the Stipendiary Magistrate's Court last- Friday, before Mr. C. C. Graham, S.M., a lad narjfed Roy Geary was charged with having, on May 3, 1910, delivered at Masterton railway station a package containing liquor, such package not having distinctly written or printed on tho outsido that it contained liquor. Mr. I'ownall appeared for tho defendant, who pleaded guilty. It was stated that tho liquor had been purchased for tho employer of the defendant, who was going for a holiday. Counsel urged that tho offence had been committed in ignorance, and that it had only been intended to purchase one bottle. His Worship stated that the offence was regarded by. the Legislature as very serious. In view of the fact that tho offender was a youth, a comparatively light penalty would bo imposed. Defendant would bo fined 405., with 7s. costs. ,

Overtures have been made to the Mastorton Parliamentary Union to affiliate with the Wellington Debating Union, witb a view to arranging a series of debates upon subjects to bo agreed on. The proposal will be discussed by the executive of tho Mastorton Union at an early date.

Registration of stallions,

The report of tho discussion at tho Provincial Conference of tho N.Z. Farmers' Union, oil the subject ol' the inspection and registration of stallions was read with intercut by farmers of the district. Thore has been a growing feeling for some years past that unsound animals should not bo permitted to be placed at the service of farmers. The difficulty in tiio way of inspection has been the determining of tho points of unsoundness, and the loss which at times would bo suffered by innocent persons. That a weedingout of stallions is urgently required, every farmer confesses', but whether tho method suggested by Mr. C. J. Iteakes, Government Veterinarian, would be effective, is another story. It may interest farmers to know that compulsory inspection has been in vogue iii Victoria for some two or three years, and that, as a result, them has been a substantial cutting-out of "weeds."

Tha Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society is actively rehearsing the opera, "Pirates of Penzance," which will shortly be produced under the'eouductorship of Mr. Goorgo Gray.

Mr. \V. Coster, who has been for some years employed in the money order department of the Masterton Post Office, has been promoted to the position of Postmaster at Russell, in the Bay of Islands. His many friends will, whilst regretting his departure, be pleased to hear of his preferment.

Various Topics,

Tho Masterton Rifles will fire their annual match with the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles, for the Bolton Cup, on Juno 3. Tho dato of tho annual ball of tho Masterton Mounted Rifles, which is one of the important social functions of the district, has been fixed for July 7.

Mr. A. D. Clarke, of Wellington, who is a member of tlio council of the N.Z. Society of Accountants, was present at a_ meeting of Wairarapa accountants in Masterton, on Wednesday evening, ui'.d gave useful information concerning the proposed regulations, for which he was accorded a vote of thanks. The annual "social" and dance, under the auspices of the Masterton Fire Police and Savage Corps, was held in the Drill Hall this evening. The hall was beautifully decorated with evergreens, pictures and mirrors. , Proposed Savage Club, There is a Bohemian element in Masterton, as there is in mpst other important centres in the Dominion. This element, with a view to providing itself with a rational form of entertainment during the long winter evenings, has, resolved upon the formation of a Savage Club. A preliminary meeting of savages was hold this afternoon, arid the war-whoop and korero will probably follow.