MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 853, 27 June 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON NOTES.

A CHINESE AND CHESTNUTS. INTERESTING COURT CASE. (Prom Our SDecinl CorvesDOddcnt.l Masterton June 24. It is stated that IVIr. C. B. Pharazyn intends disposing of a portion of his "Longwood" (.'state for the purposes of closer settlement. An effort is still being made to induce the Government to acquire one or more properties in the neighbourhood of Masterton. Several excellent chances have already been missed through Departmental and otlif-.r delays. Larger quantities of basic slag are now being used for the top-dressing of pastures in the Wairarapa district. It is, of course, recognised that if land is to return its host nitrogenous elements which are taken out by constant feeding must be leslorod. There is an abundance of grass in the back country beyond Mastertoji, and the cold weather and frosts recently experienced will harden it up. Interest in Holstein Cattla. The formation of a Holstein Breeders' Association, which has been announced from Palmerston North, is indicative of the increased interest which is being taken in this breed of cattle. The election of Mr. Coleman Phillips, of Carterton, as Hie first president of the association, is a graceful tribute to one. who, for years, has advocated the claims of the Holstein as a milk-pro-ducer. It is likely that the new association will find a number of members in the Wairarapa. The usual meeting of the Endeavour Lodge of Good Templars was held last evening, Uro. 11. King, C.T., being in the chair. After the ordinary business had been transacted an "open night" was held. The Workers' Mutual Benefit Building Society made an allocation of £300 last night. The successful member at the ballot was Mr. Charles Yates. Labour Meeting. At ft meeting last night of those interested in Labour there was a fair attendance. BTr. A. M'Lood presided. A letter was road from Mr. Whiting, of Chri.steh.nrrh, enclosing a copy of the platform of the Labour party, and advocating the inauguration of branches in all electorates of the Dominion. About thirty of those present were formed into a nrovisional committee, and it was decided to invite Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., to be present at the next meeting. A resolution was passed endorsing the action of Mr. T. E. Tavlor and the A. and P. Association in respect to the proposal to import bov labour. The provisional platform o'f the party was adopted. Cyclists in Court. The offence of riding a bicycle without lights is regarded with some little seriousness in Masterton. In the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr. C. C. Graham, S.M., William Elder, Arthur Allswoith,. George Uoagey, Harry Giddings, Arthur Giddiugs, ' Altred Bradford, James .Milne, Lawrence Robinson, and Robert Percy Harcombc wore each fined 55., and 7s. costs, for a breach of the by-laws in this respect. James Ilesp, Walter Clark, and Clarence La Roche were fined Is., and 7s. costs, for a similar offence, whilst for riding a bicycle on a footpath Ercderick Matthews was fined Is., and 7s. costs. The magistrate stated that in future cases in which persons were charged with riding without lights a double penalty would bo imposed. Martiu Kerins was fined 20s. and costs in the Magistrate's Court this morning for allowing stock to stray on a public thoroughfare. Dr. Trimble, who appeared for "the County Council, stated that the offence of' allowing stock to stray was becoming 100 common. Horse and Spanish Chestnuts. A somewhat interesting . case was heard in the Magistrate's Court this , morning, when n 'Jhinumaii named Ah Ting was charged with a breach of the Food and Drugs Act, I'JOS, in having sold "food" to a resident named Madeley which was unlit for human consumption. Evidence was given to the effect that Mr. Madeley went into tho Chinaman's shop and asked for some Spanish chestnuts. He was given a mixture of horse and Spanish chestnuts, which were given to a child, and mado her sick. Sergeant Miller, for the prosecution, produced a report from the Health Officer that horse chestnuts were unfit for consumption. Mr. Hollings, who appeared for the defence, contended that the Act was intended to apply to aritcles of huriian consumption, such as fish, sugar, etc., and not to articles which wero not food within the meaning of the Act. Horse chestnuts were no more "food" than tobacco, acorns, etc., and consequently did not come within tho meaning of the Act. Assuming, however, that tho horse chestnuts could be construed as "food," there was no evidence that an offence had been intentionally committed. His Worship ruled that the chestnuts had been adulterated either by fraud or unintentionally. The defendant had boon asked for, and was selling, Spanish chestnuts. Mr. Hollings maintained, with duo deference, that adding horse chestnuts to Spanish chestnuts was not adulterating the latter, but the magistrate took a different view. The defendant, in evidence, stated that ho did not know the difference between horse and Spanish chestnuts. He had bought tho chestnuts as good from a European named Lewis, when taking over the shop. His Worship said he was prepared to admit that the offence had been committed innocently.. Still, it bad been laid down that any person selling food must legally be responsible for the results. On the merits of the case a conviction must be entered. The defendant would be lined Is., with ss. costs. Orchards: Case Brought as a Warning. Robert' William Ccok was charged in the Magistrate's Court this morning with a breach of Section 6 of the Orchard and Garden Pests Act, with ■ failing to take effective steps to rid his orchard of mussel scale and codlin moth. Mr. Noting-:;, wdio appeared for the Agricuitur.il Department, stated that this case was brought as a warning. He did not intend asking for a heavy penalty. He deposed to having given notice to the defendant to take steps to eradicate codlin moth. As the result of three visits to the orchard ho found that the orchard was as badly infested as ever. In answer to the defendant, witness stated that an old orchard should be cleaned of moth in two seasons. The defendant stated that he had only taken possession of the orchard since May, 1009. He had sprayed the trees more than once, and had got a good percentage of fruit. He was a working man, ami had done his best. His Worship did not think that there- were any grounds for leniency on the part of the Department. It was necessary that those who kept their orchards clean should lie protected. Mr. Notfige stated that the Department wir-hed this season to give publicity to the cases only. Xcxt season they r.wild probably ; ask for severe penalties. The maximum penalty under the Act was L'L'O. His Worship said that, in tho circumstances, a nominal penalty would be imposed. Defendant would be lined 20s. and costs. Kenneth M'lnl.wh was {•barged with a similar offence. Defendant stated that he was a poor man, I and had done his best by spraying. He

was not nu expert in fruit trees. Ho had now rooted the whole of them out. I lis "Worship imposed a pemtltj of Is. and 7s. posts. Joseph Dawson, on a similar charge stated that lie did not know an apple tree from a plum tree. Lie used the orchard as a cinvy;ird, and had now cut the whole <:t the trees out. A line of Is. and 7s. costs was imposed. Magistrate on Orchard Diseases. l'olorriug ill t.ho .Magistrate's Court t at ilasii'.rlon tins umriniiß. u> tlio pic- ] valence of disease in the orchcrds of | New Zealand, .Mr. C. (.'. Graham, 3..M., c stared rJiat he had recently received a. __ letter from his son, wlui was i,n iSri- * tish Columbia., lie was happy to say j that there was no such thing as or- .' e.hanl netts in the locality in which the- < writer of the letter was living, al- ! though, 11 few years back, they were i very had. It was the practice of inspectors in liritish Columbia to visit an orchard and serve a notice if it was infected. 11', on his return visit, lie found it still infected, lie promptly cut. down the. whole of the orchard. .Mr. Graham ventured the opinion that, if f.iuiilar steps we.ro taken in New Zealand as were taken in British Columbia, it would not be lout; before or-e-hard posts wore a thing of tire past. Sawmiliing Ventura. Jfr. Al'liattie, of Jlastcrton, with others, has taken up a large area of milling country, about twenty miles from Taumarumii. Two sawmills have already been erected, and a third is ill course of construction. About fourteen, miles of steel tr-anrway have boon laid down. A tourney under the auspices of tlio Slaste.rte.ll ISoxing Association is to be held in the Town Hall on' July 6. Mr. A. V,'. Hogg, M.i\, states that settlers arc bitterly complaining that although the financial stringency is alleged to have disappeared the Advances to Settlers Office is still ■ practically j closed to them. Ou making inquiries . at the oflice he found that advances of 1 over £500, which by the way was quite ! inadequate for the roquirejjieiits of ( many Crown leaseholders, w<jrc not ' being made, and the fact of private ' rp.olleylende.rs, insunuiee companies, and ' the Public Trustee refusing to make j advances on other tliau freehold secur- , ity made the position of Crown tenants i as regards mortgages very bad indeed. 1 Five lnuidred ornamental trees were t taken to "Whareama last week to bo 1 planted in the domain on the La-ngdalo ( Settlement. ;