MASTERTON NOTES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 830, 31 May 1910, Page 6

MASTERTON NOTES

LOCAL NATIVES DIMINISHING. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton, May 30. That rabbits arc still fairly numerous in some parts of the "W'airarapa is evidenced by the fact that four Masterton sportsmen bagged sixty-five the other day a few miles from th« town, without the assistance oi' a dog. The importance of systematic poisoning is being strongly urged by the officers of the Stock Department.

Mr. T. Eiddeli; who is well and favourably known in stock circles in the Wairarapa, has been appointed to succeed Mr. Murray as agent for Messrs. Dalgety and Co., at Eketahuna.' Mr. Murray has been transferred to Pahiatua.

Small lots of fat sheep, chiefly taken off, the turnips, are still being railed to the freezing works at Wellington. The season is now practically at an end.

An endeavour is being made to form a social club in connection with the Masterton Methodist Church. A preliminary meeting of those interested is to be held tins week.

Mr. Jacob Jacobsen, a son of one of the pioneer settlers of Mauriceville,. died recently in the Masterton Hospital, from an affection of the heart, caused by a strain whilst employed at his daily avocation. Deceased, who was 38 years of age, leaves a wife and two children.

The question has been raised as to whether portions of the ranges might not be utilised for the breeding of Angora goats. The mohair from these animals always commands a ready market, and the experiment of breeding the Angora might with advantage be tried.

Mr. G. E. Sykes, as "Premier" of the Parliamentary Union, has introduced a "Land Bill," which contains clauses which might, with advantage, be considered by the New Zealand Legislature. Provision is made for the acquisition of the freehold, after a residence of a number of years, the State being conceded a moiety of the unearned increment.

It is reported that one or two prominent members of the Opposition have been invited to visit Masterton and deliver addresses.' In view of the- fact that Masterton has, for some reason, been regarded for years as a "Liberal stronghold," and that its representative has practically seceded from the Liberal ranks, the position is highly interesting. A local journal suggests that the "favours to come policy should supersede that of gratitude for favours already received..

The Native population of the Wairarapa is said >to be slowly but surely diminishing, and it is only a question of time when it will he extinct. The conditions under which the Natives are living are not of the best, and it is stated that the abolition of the Native Health Office, or the retrenchment of the officers, has induced the older Maoris to relapse into their primitive style of existence. The northern sky at an early hour this morning presented a scene of crimson shades and colours -which' would have defied the skill of the most brilliant artist to reproduce. Not for a long time has there been such a majestic, though ominous, colouring of the morning clouds.

The Wairarapa A. and P. Society intends adding a ploughing match to the list of its attractions for the spring show. Years ago the ploughing match was an annual function in the Wairarapa, and was an event of very great importance, being followed, as a rule, by a lavish dinner and speeches. . The Masterton Association might do worse than take a, leaf out of the book ,of its Lower Valley contemporary.

Superstition concerning cometa is not confined alone to.the Chinese. An old pakoha-Maori in Masterton informs the writer that there is a Native legend that these astronomical visitors are ominous of important tribal changes, and of seasons .of plenty. In other words, a change of Government was followed by prosperity. He,, however, does not care to venture an opinion upon the prospects, of history repeating itself in -New Zealand.