MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1601, 19 November 1912, Page 8

MASTERTON NOTES.

(From Our. Special Correspondent.) Masterton, November' 18.' The eccentricities of the weather are occasioning distress of mind to both sheepbreeders and shearers.' ii The former, have; been waiting in vain for the change which, it would seem, is never coming. The latter are filled with disgust, and are spending their leisure hours in innocent games. At the time of writing,'- a cold southerly is raging, and the outlook is decidedly gloomy. Shearing, and with it the freezing season, is already ..over, a month late. . ' New potatoes are being sold in Masterton at 3d. per pound. A local supply is expected/ shortly, when prices will come down with a'run. The Very Rev. Dean M'Kenna, aeicmpauied by.'his brother (Rev. T. M'Kenna, of- Pahiatua) will leave on a \visit to the. Old Country early in the New Year. The popular Dean celebrates the jubilee of his ministration in Masterton this month. He is to' be entertained .at a grand concert in the Town Hall, and made the recipient of a suitable present. A start has been made with the erection of the telephone line between Masterton and Mangamahoe, via-Kopuaranga 'and Mauriceville. The poles have already been put down for some distance. Twenty-four homesteads will be connected with the service; An old identity of Masterton, in the person of Mr. James Fitzgerald, died on Saturday at the great age of eighty-eight, years. "His funeral took place this afternoon. ' The oil-wells at Mangaom are to be officially opened on November 28. An effort is being made to induce a Minister of tho Crown .to-be present on the' occasion. ; Tho Opaki Rifle Club's trophy was won on Saturday by Mr. H. R. King, who put on.the respectable score of 7d in woatuer which was anything but favourable. Mr. E. Welch, who has just returned from a trip to the Old' Country, was tendered- a "welcome home" in i} e. Club Hotel on Saturday evening. There vias a large gathering, 'over: which'. Mr.'- G. R. Sykes, M.P:, presided; ■ ' ■ , The Masterton Golf Club concluded its season oh Saturday last, when Mr. A. B. Lawrence' secured the championship from Mr. V; E. Donald by 7 up and 5 to;plav. The winner played very steadily throughout. During the afternoon various competitions were held, and the players were hospitably entertained by the president (Mr. H. G. Williams) and' Mrs. Williams: A mixed foursome. medal handicap was played over twelve holes, Mr. W. H. Robieson and Miss Robieson being the winners. ' M' ss C. Robieson won • the. ladies' driving, Mr. A. R. Sclanders the men's driving; and Miss J. Robieson tho ladies'< putting. The men's putting resulted in a tie between Messrs.. A., R. Aclanders, W. H. Booth, W. H. Robieson, and E. P. Fenton. * The Saturday cricket matches were continued on Saturday last in unfavourable weather, - a heavy shower shortly after four o'clock .compelling the abandonment of the matches. As a result, Masterton "B" scored a two-point win over Carlton, and Martmborough a similar victory over .Masterton. . . ■ There are at present twenty-nine patients in the local hospital, including three fever patients. , Intermittent showers of rain fell to-day.