MASTERTON NOTES

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 10

MASTERTON NOTES

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. (By Telegraph-Own Correspondent.) Masterton, June 10. The annual meeting of tlio local branch of the Socict.y for tlio Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held in the Exchange Buildings last evening, Mr. 1). Treadwell presiding. The annual report showed that during the year proceedings had been instituted against, four persons for alleged cruelty. The balance-sheet showed receipts for tho year amounting to £17 9s. 10d., and expenditure to £1.1 10s. 6d. Mr. Seed, the Wellington inspector, was present and congratulated tho branch upon its good work. Votes of thanks were passed to the secretary (Mr. J. W. Decnstro) and the ranger (Air. 1 Davidson). A ease in which the petitioning creditors have asked that a Masterton linn bo declared bankrupt will be heard by tho Registrar of tlio Supreme Court on Tuesday. Captain Moss, manager of tho Youla Wool-scouring Company, Ltd., lias offered to prepare, for tho Masterton School Museum, exhibit of wools in various stages of treatment. A number of local pigeon-fanciers intend exhibiting at the Wellington Show on Wednesday next. Mrs. Water, whose death is reported from Auckland, was a sister of Mr. Joseph Dixon, the well-known cordial, manufacturer of this town. Figures About the Gasworks, At tho opening ceremony yesterday in connection with tho Masterton gasworks, his Worship the Mayor (Mr. James Coradine) mentioned that there was a capital of £28,000 now invested in the works. ' The first loan, raised in 18S7, was for £10,000. A few years back a further sum of £6000 was raised, and the latest loan of £12,000, sanctioned during the speaker's last term of office, mnde up tho total. Tlio annual consumption of coal at the works had now reached 2500 tons, and a saving in cartage, etc., would pay interest and sinking fund of £6000 of the loan moneys. Tho wastage in carting and handling would . also, be done away with, and this represented a good round sum. The Mayor considered that, taking everything into consideration, Masterton had cheaper gas than any town in New Zealand. The excellent quality of the'gas, and the splendid way in which tho town was supplied with lighting, showed the direct advantage from having up-to-date and efficient gasworks. Fojirs years ago the consumption of gas in the town was 12,000,000 cubic feet for tho year. To-day it was 26,000,000 cubic feet. Four years ago there were 697 gas meters in tho town, whilst to-day there were 1045. Tlio expenditure upon the new gasworks up tiH date was about £11,000. The works .were a credit to the architects (Messrs. Varnham and Rose), and to the manager (Mr. J. W. Blackman), to whose ability the speaker, paid a warm tribute. Councillor Tempk;,. who had been for some time chairman of the Gasworks Committee, also spoke, and on his suggestion three hearty clieors were given for ex-Councillor Haughey, who had been the first to move in the direction pf erecting new gasworks near the railway station. Councillor Temple also stated, that whilst in. Palmerston North ,they...wore paying Bs. 4d. per 1000 feet' net for their gas, in Masterton they were paying only 6s. Bd. Mr. Blackma.n (manager) acknowledged the compliment that had been paid him by the Mayor. At the conclusion of the speeches, Mrs. Coradine (Mayoress) set tho machinery in motion. The afternoon tea was provided under the capablo supervision of Mr. W. Wilkes.

School Matters, At the monthly meeting of the MasSchool Committee last evening, at which Mr. R. Brown presided, tho treasurer reported a credit balance of £79 15s. 7d., and accounts amounting to £18 18s. 3d. wero passed for payment |t was decided that steps be taken to open tho musqum at the school. -Tho headmaster reported an;, average attendance at tho main school of 562, at tho side school of 166, and, at tho secondary classes 0f',59. Tho attendance had lately suffered a good deal through minor ailments' among the children. Miss Bradbury, tho tenth assistant 011 tho primary staff, had received an appointment under tho Hnv.'ko's Bay Board, aild would shortly bo retiring.

A grand fete is ■ being arranged by the ladies of St. Matthew's Church, to bo held early in.November. The proceeds will bo devoted to the new church fund.

A practical demonstration of tho spraying and pruning of fruit trees is to bo given- at the orchard of the Mr. J. C. Alpass in Cornwall Street, on June 18, under the supervision of Mr. F. E. Nottago, Government Pomologist. As tho fruit-growing industry fs important, so far as this district is concerned, it is hoped that there will bo a. good attendance of fruitgrowers at the demonstration.

In acknowledging a letter of appreciation of his tnenty-ono years' service at the Masterton School, received from the School Committee, Mr. W. H. Jackson, headmaster, says his strenuous work has been made easy by the hearty co-operation of successive committees. Next to the continued prosperity bl : his school, his earnest desire was to retain the goodwill of his committee. Demand for Heavy Horsas. Mr. Hoult, representing the wellknown Feilding horse-buying firm of Hoult and. Sous, lias been spending a few days in Masterton. Mr. James Ewart, who has been buying in this district for the firm, points out that years ago Masterton was noted for its draught horses, and r considerable amount of money for purchases came to the district. Of late years, however, the same attention has not been paid to breeding as formerly. Thero has now sprung up a good demand for horses for the Australian market, and breeders must revert to the heavy class if they wish to maintain a supply. Messrs. Hoult and Son have already, sent 530 horses to Australia, ot which 80 were secured in the Wairarapa district. Tho action of the Wellington Education Hoard, in appointing Messrs. Miller and Murphy-as assistants at tho District High School, has been cordially ondorsed by the Masterton School Committee. The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club flew a race yesterday from Kaitoke for the Ladies' Bracelet. Although tho weather was boisterous, very good time was recorded. The winning bird was Miss A. Reardon's Volley, Miss K. Ilolloway's Sea Breeze being second, and Mrs. W. Dowling's Proviso third. The time occupied by tho winning bird was llir. 17iuin. Wsee. Shooting and Rugby. The first of six shoots for tho Blighting Cup, iu connection with tho Masterton Morris Tube Club took place last evening. The scores also count for tho trophy presented by the Cement Pipe Company. The possible (35) was scored by AV. Bannister, J. King being second with 3-1. Mr. R. Cooper, of Gladstone, has presented a five-guinea cup to the Wairarapa Itugby Union for competition among the teams in the third-class championship. A very enjoyable danco in connection with the various hockey clubs was held in tiie ESchanae Hall last evening. Tho |

object of the danco was to raise funds for the improvement of the grounds at Lansdowne. Notwithstanding tho impropitious weather, there was a very lair attendance. Excellent music was supplied by Mr. Frank M'Konzie, and supper was provided by Miss Finnis, of the Arcadia Tea-rooms. Other Matters. At a preliminary meeting held last evening ifc was decided to form a Savage Club in Masterton. Much enthusiasm was displayed by those present, and tlio organisation promises to be vc-ry successful. The first korero will bo held at an early date, to which brother Savages will bo invited. Mr. T. l£olilt, of Feilding, who was in Masterton this week, informs mo that during the past season no fewer than 1500 hordes have been dispatched from the Auckland district for Australia. The Monthly general meeting of tho Masterton A. and I', Association is to be acid to-inorrow.