MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1262, 18 October 1911, Page 5

MASTERTON NOTES.

GALE BLOWING. MUCH DAMAGE TO ORCHARDS. (Fi'om Oar Special CorresoondonU Masterton, October 1". A howling westerly galo passed over Masterton to-dav. The wind blew in kprricano force, tearing up fruit ami ornamental trees, wrecking hoardings and fences, and destroying small buildings and outhouses. The gale was at its height between noon and three o'clock, and pedestrian and vehicle traffic was almost entirely suspended. In one or two cases windows were smashed by flying debris, and a vehicle is reported to havo been toppled completely over. The chief damage, however, is to orchards and plantations-. The telephone service was disturbed, and trees blown down in all directions. Rural Schorl Proposal. Much interest is bring manifested in the conference of local bodies and representatives of Ectiolast.c and agricultural institutions, which is to be held here on Saturday next to discuss the question of the provision of an agricultural school for tho Wairarapa. Delegates to the conference have already bee.t appointed by tho Maslerton, Eketahuna, Pahiatua, Fentherston, end Wairarapa bouth County Councils, tho Mastertou and Eketahuna liorongh Councils, tho Mastenuu and Wairarapa A. and P. Associations, tho Masterton Trust Lands Trust, and tho Wellington Education Board. As a result of tho conference, it is hoped that a practical proposal will be submitted to the Government for the extension of the system of rural education. Electoral. The main roll of tho Masterton electorate will, it is expected, contain a few hundred names more than were on the roll at the last election. Tho Registrar of Electors has still canvassers out, and there \t ul be no excuse for those who aro qualmed failing to register. Ten residents of this town have been discovered with conscientious objections to exercising the franchise, and they have refused to register. I'lie Waingawa meat freezing works opened for "the season to-day, when a draft of sheep from tho Lower Valley was slaughtered. Until the season \s further advanced, slaughtering will take place on two days in tJio week. Tho headmaster of tho Lansdowuo School reported to his committee Inst evening th;it tho average attendance at the school is now 170. if this continues, the school will bo entitled to the services of another teacher.

Shearing commences on tho Te Parao Station on Wednesday next. Shearing on other stations will bo in full swing in the course of a few days. An effort is being made to form a Thursday cricket team iu connection with tho local branch of,tho Y.M.C.A. Chapter of Accidents. Masterton, October IC. A chapter of accidents has occurred in this neighbourhood during the last few days. A young man named Peter Hansen, of Mauriceville, who was riding a motor cycle, collided with a butcher'e cart when turning a corner, and sustained a fracture of tho leg and other injuries. A man nanied Sedcole, employed bv Mr. J. C. Ewington, blacksmith, had his hand caught in machinery, rather severe injuries resulting. A lad named Smith injured his foot with a tomahawk. A motor cyclist named A. D. Gillies was thrown from his machine, and sustained injuries to his ankle. Personal. Mr. E. J. Dagg has been appointed to represent tho Masterton A. and 1 , . Association at the conference' of Clydesdale breeders, which is to be Jidil at Hastings during the period of tho coming show. .Mr. Alfred Matthews stated at the meeting of the Masterton A. and V. Association, on Saturday last that a memorial shield to tho la to Mr. G. G. Wheeler was to bo offered by tho . l'omney Marsh Breeders Association for competition among tho various A. and P. Associations of the Dominion. It would not, however, bo availablo for presentation this yoar. Tho conditions were that it should not ba won outright, but should remain the property of the- Eomney Association, though passing from one A. and 1 , . Association to another.

The last competition for Saturday members of tho Masterton Gun Ciub for Mr. A. P. Whatman's trophy was won by Mr. It. Buick. Mr. 11. Allen is now leading for tho trophy, with 31 hits out of 45 birds. To Dangerous, A proposal was made at tho meeting of tho Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday last fcbat a competition for . traction engine-drivers bo added to • tho programme for tho next show. Tho committee, however, considered that tho risk of accident would be too great, and, consequently, did not entertain the proposal. Heavy showers of rain fell hero on Saturday night, and again last night. They havo had a revivifying effect upon cereal and root crops. The membership of the Mastorton A. and P. Association now stands at 1095. It is hoped that the number will be increased to 1200 before tho end of the year. , Tho membership crusade instituted by tho president (Mr. H. Morrison) has proved very successful. I'rom a membership point of view the association h now about the strongest in tho Dominion. Genera! Jottings. Tho Opaki Kifle Club condncted shooting on Saturday last over the 500, 600, and 700 yards ranges at Fairview. Tho conditions were by no means favourable. Mr. C. Engstrom put up the best score, viz., 92. Tho posting of recruits in connection with the Wairarapa Territorial forces has been completed. A race was ilown from Christchurch on Saturday, under tho control of the Masterton "Homing Pigeon Club. The air lino distanco was 230 miles. Mr. F. Rosson's nomination, "Tho Brick," was the iirst to nrrivo home, with Mr. J. i)ixon's "Timothy" second. The tender of Messrs. Kose and Mason, of .Masterton, has been accepted for tho erection of a Coronation band rotunda at Carterton. Tho annual competitions in connection ■with the Wairarapa Kiflo Association are to bo held on tho i'airview range at Masterton on Thursday next. A proposal has been made that the next Friendly Societies' picnic be held at Solway instead of at Pigeon Bush. Tho matter will bo discussed at a future meeting of the Friendly Societies' Council. From a flock of 300 Komney Marsh ewes, Mr. W. H. Buick, of Masterton, has 'secured tb.> satisfactory return of 301 lambs. The cricket season was opened here on I Saturday last, when a match was com- : menced between the St. Matthew s and Carlton Clubs. Tho former mado % m their first innings, the latter losing eight wickets for 4!).