LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 13 February 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

•& Messrs Blackburn, H. Newport and Jin tier have been elected as the executive committee of tho Ilorowlienua Kruitgrowers' Association.

The Sydney Mail says that three Jersey heifers sold on account of Mr O'Meara, Richmond river, brought (if) guineas each, and three sold on account of Mr J. Alcorn brought 200 guineas each. They were sold to the manager, Weniroa Experimental Farm, New Zealand.

Koputaroa Fibre Company stopped stripping on Monday and the work of sciitcliing-up is now proceeding Most of the hands were paid off last week, the majority finding work on the adjacent farms. Others will be paid off on Saturday. Some of these are going to Wanganui and Auckland. "So long as the price of fibre remains what it is," said an employee on Saturday, '-there is not much chance of the mills re-opening. Fortunately there is a good deal of work awaiting us elsewhere."

Mr Reading, of the Arapaepae road, has a splendid crop of gra]>es this year. They arc a fortnight earlier than"" the crop of twelve months ago wa.s, and are finding a very good local market. At one time grapes wore difficult to dispose of, owing to the prohibitive prices charged, but now that prices are reasonable the industry apparently has a .good future before it in the county. A number of residents are anxious to grow the fruit but lack of knowledge, has deterred them from planting vines. Possibly some local cultivator would favour Tho Chronicle with an article on the cultivation and treatment of vines.

Levin Horticultural Society met on Saturday night to make arrangements for tlie Autumn Show of 19?1. -Mr Jamos Prouse, president of the ■society, ivns in the chair, and there also were present Mesdamcs Brown (2), Lodge, Prouse (2), Miss Goldsmith and Major Burlinson, and Messrs E. E. Smith, Goldsmith, Lodge, Fosella. Brown, R. Prouse, Areas and Fry (secretary). A letter was read from Mr Galland, secretary of the Shannon Horticultural 'Show, thanking the society for a loan of exhibition vases. Mrs 0. S. Keodwell intimated her intention of presenting two special prizes (of 10s 6d each) for art and fancy work, respectively. The intimation was received with thanks. It was decided to engage the two side halls as annexes to the Century Hall on the occasion of the next .show. The matter of opening the Autumn Show was discussed at some length. Mr J Prouse moved and Mr Lodge seconded a_ motion, "That if the official opening of the Levin waterworks (by ilns fcxcellency the Governor) takes place> on 22ml March, the Levin Horticultural Society approach the Levin trough Council with a request to •have the opening of the ..show undertaken -by his Excellency as a part ot the day's programme." This was unanimously agreed to. The meeting resolved that flhe secretary write to Mt Drysdale, manager of the State Experimental Farm Weraroa asking that the farm make an exhibit at the Autumn Show, there being ample room available. The Boys; Training Farm, Weraroa, is to be given the same accommodation that was provided for it at the 3!ff» v°T- A PP? i »tment S to the judges list were discussed, and it was decided to approach the following gentlemen with requoste that they would a.ct:-Pot plants the held, Weightman and Wiltondecorative classes. Miss Murrav • tee claaseMMr Dusth!, 1 Wai: HEADACHE. Headache is not an ailment-it is ■» symptom, an indication of some constitufaonal derangement S Zmr , \ h ° nM not with a headache cure, but with Ablets.' tion, biliousness, torpid liver all fffii • Chamberlain's Tablets. Sold everywhere.—Advt,

Although he has never Piously sown maize Mr **^>° f g»A «- TMiepao road, has decided to put a H down next season for fodder, formerly he grew peas followed by green oats, but the froste proved too Svore for i3ie latter. His land, should grow magnificent maize cw>ps. There was a good attendance <of pin vera on the Levin tennis courts on "Saturday afternoon, when somo dose .games were played. In ttoe '•' ladder" competition, Abradiatn kept his place by defeating Rout by D games to 8, and Outfield stalled off Richter with a similar scow. Two new members were proposed «wi oloct-ed mombers of the club, which is now over seventy strong. During tlio afternoon Mrs C. K. Wilson provided afternoon tea, which was greatly appreciated.

Mr Justice Edwards was in a severe mood during tho hearing of a divorce case in Auckland on Wednesday. He told the petitioner: "You" might think your conduct proper, but T don't." His Honour interrupted the evidence further by declaring that he would not listen to the woman being blackened, # because he would ntot believe petitioner. Emily Martin, a sister of the petitioner,' gavo evidence as to desertion, and expressed the opinion that respondent had no causes For leaving the house. Hie Honour (with -warmth): What dk> you know my good woman? How. can you know what passed between man and wife? You know absolutely nothing about it. Sit down? And yet the divorce was granted.

Mr John Craig, of Owaka, writes to the Cluthn. Leader enclosing n cheque for CIO for the purpose of assisting in the immigration of ! boys and. girls of a selected class from Britain. He recommends the .scheme to the consideration of the local Farmers' Fnion, and suggests that the- secretary of the Glasgow Newsboys' League, k>? , the Message Brigade, would be glad to select suitable lads. Ho points out that the ?ounty is in great need of boy and girl labour, and says:—"Unfortunately there seems no prospect of a change for the better unless the farmers and employers of labour interest themselves in the matter, and the only feasible plan in view is, as has Heen done in other parts of the dominion—namely, to bring out boys nnd girls from Home."

We understand, says the Ota go Daily Times, that an'effort will be made to establish one or two milktesting associations among the dairy farmers of the South Island at the beginning of next season, on the same lines as those in existence in the North Island. As a means of demonstrating the actual value of dairy herds from a production point of vie.w these associations, which are ; n existence in most parts of tilie world where the dairying industry is conducted oil thoroughly scientific ind progressive lines, are admitted to have highly beneficial results, and to be invaluable to the dairy farmer, and if their contemplated establishment in the Smith Island is successful, tho dairying industry there should benefit' considerably. At present there are four of these milk-testing associations among the dairy farmers of the North Island, one being in the Wellington province, two in the Taranaki province, and one in the Waikato district. The total membership of the four associations is 95, and the number of cows in the herds owned by theso 95 members is 3641.

Compulsory grading of butter is a question about which there has been considerable difference, of opinion. Some interesting comments wero made i-ecently by the Victorian Superintendent of Exports (Mr R. Crowe), who firmly believes in the necessity for compulsory grading. Under the present optional system butter-producers find that they get almost as good a figure on the* London market for the low as for the high quality article, ajul Mr Crowe points out that while this is so farmers a.nd the factories in Victoria caniiot be expected to strive to keep tlioir manufactures up to a high standard. One way to prevent the standard of butter 'from falling was to pay a higher figure for superfine cream. Compulsory grading would improve the quality of butter and assist in keeping up the prices for Victorian butter in London. Any educational efforts made by the department officers wore discounted whilst tho present state of affairs existed, but the careless farmer should find it necessary by the fact of receiving less for .his cream to make the most of his opportunities. At present 26 per cent, of the butter exported from Victoria was superfine, and 53 per cont. first grade, or, allowing for loss on the voyage, a little over 70 per cont.

" The practice of kissing is One, of course, that should be steadily discouraged," said Sir Philip Sydnoy Jones, when enumerating at' the Science Congress in Sydney the measures necessary to check the spread of consumption. In this he was supported by another medical man, and the expression of approval which the sentiment elicited indicated that severe science frowns coldly upon romance when it regards is as blocking the way of pathological reform. Whether this pronouncement will bring the practice into sudden disfavour, however, said the Daily Telegraph, is another question altogether. Am interesting debate, in which several doctors took part, ranged over a wide field. The sense of the meeting appeared to be decidedly in favour of the compulsory reporting of consumption cases, and various other remedial measures were suggested, including the establishment of dispensaries. The fact that in the open air is now practised widely in Sydney and elsewhere was hailed by Sir Philip Sydney ones as very encouraging. "If the crusade agjiinst tuberculosis has done nothing more than that," he remarked, "it has effected a. very great public benefit, because those who sleep in the pure air are less liable to take not only tuberculosis, but all other diseases of a germ character."

In and around Te Puke (Bay of Plenty) there is (telegraphs the Auckland correspondent of the Post) a large area of native land unoccupied by tho owners, and, as in other parts of the dominion, trouble is experienced in collecting rates from the properties, while the advancement of the district is being hampered seriously on account of this land not being available for settlement. The matter was brought under the attention of Sir Joseph Ward on his visit to Te Pnke, and, in replying to. the difficulties mentioned, he stated that under an amendment of tho Act passed last session it was _ possible to collect rates from native land, which everyone would admit should bear a failproportion of taxation in the administration of local body affairs. Sir Joseph stated further that the Government was carrying out the settlement of native lands intelligentlyand vigorously, and buying areas to the extent of half a million acres That authority had Only been given some six months ago. As many surveyors as the Government could employ were now engaged in surveying both nativo and Crown lands, and altogether the land settlement policy was being pushed , ahead more vigorously than in any previous period of the history of the dominion.

February Ist. The firm of Dean and Rawson is one year old to-day. People laughed and said, "There's no room!" They made room; and to-day tiheir drinks are the popular beverage. Have you tried them? —Advt.

A road race is being arranged by local riders, including some of the men at Bartholomew's mill.. It will be a sweepstake race. Fnurt arrangementa will be made after Monday's meeting. Intimation hae been given to Mr J. G, Hankins, secretary to the Levin. Bowling CWb, that Saturday next will be a convenient day for the Palmerston North Cluib to play Levin's team for the Dixon Cup. rnlmerston will be represented by the present holders- J. O. Batchelar, W. Brophy, W. Reed, and F. J. Tnsker (skip). Levin's team wtflbe selected this evening.

A flax fire, which swept over a laro-e area, occurred, yesterday in the"vicinity of the [bridge on the Beach road". Its origin is unknown, but it started in the swamp on the left-hand side of the road going to the 'beach and swept over on to the other aide, destroying acres of flax almost up to the Horowhenna lake. A hut, among other things, was bnmed clown, but fortunately the .bridge over the creek was only slightly damaged.

Mr G. Cameron has returned from the 1.0. R. conference at Napier, and ne speaks in glowing terms of the. enthusiasm of the gatherings. The Napier people, he says, treated tlrc.rn most handsomely. "Wo are going," ho told a Chronicle reporter on Saturday, "to no the leading friendly society in New Zealand in time to come." Our membership is going up by leaps and bounds." The movement is making steady pro. gress in Levin.

"E.F." (Kimbjplton) wrote to the Journal of Agriculture: "I am forwarding a small parcel of a kind of clay, and should bo obliged, if you could let mo know what it is composed of. Tt wa.s taken out of a bank of sand and gravel, and seems to mo to be something out of the common." In the current issue the Agricultural Chemist replies: "The specimen consists of impure kaolin, or China clay. It contains no lime or phosporic acid, and would he of no value for agricultural purposes."

The adjourned meeting of the. Prospecting Committee has been postjyoned from to-night until Wednesday. Tt is hoped that by that time a reply will have been received from the Minister in regard to the prospecting of the ranges. This would allow—provided the reply proves to be favourable—operations to be started at an early date. As a matter of fact; however, a Chi-en-iclo representative saw two Levin men, heading for the ranges last week, on horsooack, with paraphernalia suggesting intentions of seeking the elusive nugget tvheve it may bo abiding.

A society has recently been formed in London to undertake research in nautical archaeology, and New Zealand and Australia are invited to help in collecting from original documents ajid other contemporary evidence fuller information about the growth of oversea dominions. Dr Glanville Cornoy (late chief medical officer in Fiji), has become an active member. He is regarded a.s one of the greatest authorities on Captain Cook s records, and as quite the greatest on the literature of the Spanish Main. Dγ Oorney puts in a good deal of tiiiw at. I'm Public Records Office and the British Museum, and he finds time to visit Spain, where the authortios grant him every facility in finding references to the days when Spain was at the height of its maritime power. The new society is in hopes of finding in Australia, some traces of Spanish and other navigators at present un collected.

Mr H. McManaway. now a resident of Marton, is generally regarded as a lucky sportsman. Recently lie made a present of Mahuta to Mr W. Holmes, the Bulls owner-trainer, and -the Mahaki gelding will make his first appearance in his now owner's colours at Wooclville. Strathmoira, a present from Mr Massey, M.P., is not considered by his owner as the "pick of the stable." He djd_ not participate in the recent the Soult gelding paid at Awapuni at Chn'stmas time. Tn the moderate opposition he is likely to encounter at Nelson he should help the stable total. Eill is Mr McMnnaway's favourite, "the pride of the shop." She scored her eicrhth successive victory in the Hawera Stakes at Egmont on Wednesday. The best she had to beat was the Lethe gelding Lethean, at his best finly a fair second-rater. Last year the race brought out two high-class sprinters in Lord Sonlt and Polymorphous. Tf the race is to be retainer! on future programmes the stake should be considerably increased and. made worth a contest to which weigh t-for-age conditions arc attached.

The double performance to be presented by the Levin D/amatie. Society at the Town Ha'll upon the night of "Wednesday, February 22. is a unique one in the history' of the Society, as it will be the first occasion on which the club has presented a Shakosperian work. The immortal bard's beautiful and inspiring 'balcony scene from "Borneo and Juliet," with costumes of the fancy style worn in that period, also with appropriate scenery, is to be tho first part of the evening's performance. As much attention will bo given to the setting of tho moonlit balcony as is possible on a small stiee. Tn thie part Mrs Charles Banks will appear as Juliet, and Mr Charles Archer as Romeo. Tlie second part of the programme will be a shrieking convulsing, side-spiittinc farcical comedy, in two acts, entitled "Julius Rattle's Honeymoon Troubles." For this comedy the members of the club most suitable for the class of work have been chosen. Mr Archer's plan being to change the casts for each acw pieeo as much ns possible to make the members more versatile. A well-filled house should greet this interesting double program me.