MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 836, 7 June 1910, Page 7

MASTERTON NOTES.

IN QUEST OF OIL SPRINGS. ON THE EAST COAST. (From Our Special Correspondent.) Masterton,' June G. Mr. Lang, who Ims been exploring the eoiiiil.ry on the East Coast for oil springs, paul a second visit to the district lost week in company with Sir. Watkins, a geologist. Both were impressed with the prospects offering. Good indications were found at Blah-logic, Akitio, and elsewhere, and further options were secured. Mr. J. Barton, of Mataikona Station, has let a contract for five hundred acres of scrub-cutting. That money is not scarce in the. district was evidenced by the fact that the Williamson Opera Company took X'lGs at ,ilie Town Hall on Saturday evening, when the opera "Madam Butterfly" was. produced. Rabbits: Autumn and Winter Poisoning.

Rabbit Inspector Webb has returned from an extended visit to the East Coast. Ho found that, generally speaking, tho settlors are co-operating with the 'Department in using every means possible to copo with the rabbit pest. The autumn poisoning was highly successful and winter poisoning has now commenced in earnest. The Department has sent out three times as much poisoned pollard this year as it did last year. The Maori country has been thoroughly poisoned by officers of the Department. From present indications there is every reason to hope that there will this year be a marked diminution in the number of rabbits iu the district.

The now gasworks, near the Masterton Railway Station, will be publicly opened on Thursday next. The ceremony will be performed by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. James Coradine) in the presence of councillors and ratepayers.

Extensive Borough Scheme. Tho report prepared by Mr. W. Mansfield, engineer to the borough, on tho drainage system is being critically examined by ratepayers. The contemplation of another loan of .£.10,000 or .540,000 lias had samowhnt of a disturbing effect. The question is naturally asked why, after the works have been in use for so few years, such a huge additional expenditure should bo necessary. Without entering into a discussion on this point, it is sufficient to know that a large portion of the town is not at present served with drainage, and that tho engineer regards the extension and improvement of the system as essential. The details of the scheme will be further discussed by tho Borough Council on Tuesday evening, and, in all probability, a vote of tho ratepayers will bo taken at an early dato upon the proposal to raise the necessary loan. The Wheat Trials. The interesting report published in •The Dominion of Monday concerning the co-operative wheat trials in various parts of the .North Island will, it is expected, ho followed by a report on tho various plots dealt with in the Wairnrapa district. Quite n. deal of interest is taken by farmers in the experiments with cereals, and'the comparisons botweon tho results obtained from various finalities and quantities of pianure, as well as from tho cereals themselves, will' be invaluable. The District .High School reopened this morning alter the winter vacation, when Messrs. Miller and Murphy, the new assistants, assumed duty.

The weather conditions have been variable, though not unpleasant, during tho last few days. Light, warm rain has fallen at intervals, which will have a good effect upon pasturage and vegetation. Pulpit Rebuke. In tho course of a sermon on Sunday evening a Masterton clergyman made pointed reference to the fact that whilst dozens of people could get out of bed at five and six o'clock on a wot morning to book seats far tin opera, only live could bo found in church at seven 'o'clock on a Cno Sunday morning to worship God. "

Private cable advice has been received stating that Mr. Rupert Sutton, son of Mr. P. H. Sutton, of Masterton. has secured the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania.

Tho price of ordinary building rimu timber has been increased by sixpence par 100 feet by the Wairarapa and West Coast sawmillers.

Mr. .-\. J. Stone-Wigg has purchased the splendid farm and homestead at Opaki, lately owned by Mr. A. 11. Wrightson.

The position of the teams in the senior competition.; for the Wairarapa Rugby Championship are as follow-.—Cavtertrai 7 points; Rod Star, 6 points; Gladstone, 2 points; Grey town. 1 point. Carterton leads iu tho junior championship with G points, Masterton coming' next with 5.

At tho convention of tho Wellington Sub-district Independent Order of Rechabilcs, held in Masterton, a number of important new rules were discussed and approved.