LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8387, 25 March 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr John Medlyn A'Court has been appointed a member of the Wellington Land Board. The attendance at the New Zealand Exhibition last week was 82,900, which brings the total to date to I,6ls,oß9.—Association. The Masterton Mounted Rifles will hold a parade on Thursday afternoon and evening next. The annual meeting of the corps will alno be held on Thursday evening, when another officer will be elected. The new uniforms will also be distributed at the meeting. * The Anti-Asiatic agitation has been taken up with considerable enthusiasm in Carterton (says the local newspaper), Friday night's meeting being attended by some two hundred persons, including several ladies. A branch of the . League was duly formed and joined by a large number of those present.

In the home industries sections at the New Zealand International Exhibition, Miss M. E. Power, Dreyer's Rock, gained the gold medal in class VI. (candidates , under 17) for transcribing expert shorthand notes. Master A. Dawson, from the same school, was awarded the 'silver medal in class V., open to candidates from any primary school. A patent excavator has been offered to the Wellington City Council for a month's trial. It is claimed that the machine can lift spoil foiled per yard, against 6d for hand labour. The price is £950. The city engineer reported at 1 the last meeting that if the machine accomplished what was promised, it would be a good investment.

A match will be fired on the Opaki Range on Friday next between the Masterton and Tinui sections of the Masterton Mounted Rifles.

A Wairarapa Age reporter learnt on good authority on Saturday that Captain Cameron, of the Masterton Mounted Rifles, is to be promoted to the position of Adjutant of No. 2 Regiment of Mounted Rifles.

The Renall-Solway Home is now full, there being seven inmates in the institution. An elderly man who applied for admission to the Home, last week, will be sent tu the Ohiro Home, Wellington. At the Masterton Magistrate's Court, on Saturday morning, before Mr W. P. James, S.M., a first offender was fined 5s for having been drunk. Accused was also ordered to pay 15s medical expenses. A meeting of the Mount Holdsworth Track Committee will be held in the Borough Council Chambers, at 8 o'clock on Wednesday evening, next, when the question of erecting a hut at Caikcek's camp will be further considered.

An order has been issued by the Defence Department that Volunteer Corps may, in future, hold daylight parades on Sundays. Only six such parades will be allowed in a year.. It is probable that the Masterton Rifle Volunteers will take' advantage of the order and hold an occasional parade on a Sunday.

The latest return from the Antonio's Flat Dredge is 15ozs 17dwt for five days' dredging. The dredge is still opening out, making a wide face. During the last week the dredge was considerably hampered with sunken timber, but it is now fairly clear of it, and improved returns may be looked for in a week or two.

At their auction rooms, on Saturday, Messrs R. E. Howell and Go., sold by auction the privilege of pulling down the Empire Hotel building, and taking away the timber. The successful bidder was Mr W. Preston, and the price £35. The building must be taken down and the i ground cleared within a fortnight from today.

The extraordinary fact is revealed by the British Board of Trade returns that in the month of Noven.ber last nearly 6,500,000 rabbitskins were imported into the United Kingdom. A very large proportion of these, it is said, are manufactured or "faked" in "sealskin," "ermine," and "blue fox" goods, and sold as such. For these purposes the skins of white rabbits, "Belgians," and "silvergreys" are most in demand. Mr W. B. Warner, of Smithfield, has compiled statistics for last year of the immense imports of frozen rabbits from Australasia. The imports from the five sources—New South Wales, South Australia, New Zealand, Victoria and Tasmania — reached the huge total of 1,039,371 crates, or approximately twentyseven million rabbits, being an excess of 288,000 crates, or seven and a half million rabbits, over any preceding year.

Mr P. Tansey, Secretary of the Antonio's Flat Gold-dredging Company, is at present on a visit to Masterton. , He is very hopeful of the prospects of the company, having visited the dredge before leaving for the North Island. Mr Tansey states the ground is very like that of the neighbouring claitn (Black-water River Company), but it has an advantage over the latter company, having lighter wash to treat, and a more powerful dredge to work with. Returns from the Blackwater Dredge have at times exceeded lOOozs per week, and made an average during the year of over 50ozs per week.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the St. Patrick's Day Sports Association, on Saturday evening, Mr J. C. McKillop presiding, it waff decided not to hold the sports on May 24th, but to allow the meeting to lapse until St. Patrick's Day next year. It was also decided to refund all nomination and acceptance fees naid by competitors. The balancesheet in connection with the concert on March 14th showed a credit balance of £27 17s, exclusive of outstanding amounts received by a number of members for the sale of tickets. The meeting then adjourned until April 6th.

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a pipe band in Masterton will be held at the Masterton Implement Company's showroom at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday next. There is quite a number of bagpipe students in the district, and it is considered that, with their assistance and that of the older players, there should be no difficulty in forming a bandwhich would become in a short time equal to any pipe band in the colony. In view of the substantial support given to the Caledonian sports and games generally in this district, there is every reason to believe that the proposed band will become an established fact.

A rather peculiar test case was brought at Napier a few days ago. The bandmaster of the Battalion Band was charged with playing a musical instrument in a public thoroughfare without the permission of the Borough Council. The contention of the police was that, although the Mayor had granted permission, that was not sufficient, as it had to be given by resolution of the Council. The whole band had been playing, but the case was brought against the bandmaster to test the question. The town clerk stated that the Council did not wish any prosecution to be made; they were perfectly satisfied with the action of the band. The case was dismissed. MILKING MACHINE EXPERIENCE. Before purchasing, or even trying a Milking Machine, ask'ttie agent to giveyo.i the names and addresses of a dozen farmers who have used his machine for a period of not less than two 3 ears, any opinion based on shorter period is not wo'th at'entbn. With this information in hand, you can easily make direct enquires from practical men who use the machines to assist in earning their living. Don't forge', that the value of your herd, as well as the cost of the plant, depends on your getting conect and disinterested information. The amenta for the "LAWriENCE-KENNEDY-GILLIEb" Milker will be happy to supply the names of hundreds of thoroughly satisfied farmers who have U9ed these successful machines for two, three, four, and even iive year-. For full particulars apoly to J.' B. McEwan and Co., Ltd;,'U.rf.S. Go's Buildings, Wellington.

Th? Palmerston North St. Patrick's Association have decided to make their sports meeting an annual fixture.

The tender of Mr E. Darlington, at £9O, has been accepted, by the Wellington Education Board for the erection of fences at the Eketahuna school.

During Friday night a large plate glass window in Mr D. A. Morton's shop in the Exchange Buildings was broken. It is surmhj-d that a stone was thrown through the window.

It is the intention of the members of the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles to banquet Captain Herbert and Lieutenant Stone-Wigg, who have resigned from office, at an early date.

Cr T. G. Hoar has decided not to seek re-election at the forthcoming municipal elections. It is rumoured that two other members of the present Borough Council have also decided not to offer themselves for reelection.

Owing to the leniency shown by Tasmanian judges in the administration of the First Offenders' Act, the law is to be amended by limiting first offenders to those offences that cannot be met with more than three years' imprisonment.

After a parade of the juketahuna Mounted Rifles, held on Thursday evening, Captain Herbert handed over temporary control of the corps to Lieutenant Page. An election of officers for the corps will be held on Thursday, April 4th. The vagaries of cable codes! At a recent meeting of the Wanganni Borough Council, Cr Baffle said he knew of a case where a man sent a code message Home for a quantity of fencing wire. His feelings can be imagined when tfte next steamer, brought him out a merry-go-round.

At the Industrial Labour Congress in Melbourne, Mr Beeston, New Zealand representative and a vice-presi-dent, stated that so great was their faith in the late Mr Seddon that New Zealand did not bother much about organisation, but since his death they realised that they would have to organise a party of their own. When addressing the delegates from the various cheese factories in Taranaki recently, Mr C. Mackie, the London representative, pointed out that Canada exported about 82 per cent, of cheese to the United Kingdom, whilst New Zealand supplied only 3 per cent. The increase of cheese, however, exported from the colony up to January 31st was 82 per cent.

On February 25th two cyclists—A. Warren and R. Lennie —left Perth on a cycle ride across the Australian continent, finishing at Sydney. Lennie said he had done some long cycle journeys on the goldfreld, and did not hesitate to undertake the present one, although he admitted it would be most trying. Warren is an ex-Syd-ney resident, and Lennie comes from New Zealand.

A simple and effective method of exterminating rabbits has been brought under the notice of the Milton Mirror by a farmer. The idea is to smear a stone with tar and put it at the mouth of the rabbit warren. The animals will neither attempt to pass nor approach the stone, and, he states, die in their holes. The farmer in question has proved this from practical experience.

The output of gold in South Australia for the year 1906 was greater than for any previous year in the last decade except 1904. The total in fine ounces, according to the official returns was 13,761, which was va"»ued at £58,453. In 1904 the quantity was 17,8970z, with a value of £76,025. In 1905 the return was 10,9830z, value £45,853; but the nearest approach to this was in 1897, when 10,3220z of the precious metal was obtained.

The members of the Adelaide Licensed Victuallers' Association, at their annual meeting, recently, decided to present "a bold front to the enemy." The following motions were carried:--"That this meeting urges the necessity of a representative from the liquor trade being appointed on each Licensing Bench,'' and "That this meeting is of opinion that limited Sunday trading, as in England, is the only solution of the Sunday trading question."

During the hearing of a charge against the licensee of the Marine Hotel, at Dunedin, the police Inspector called on the licensee and his daughter to give evidence for the prosecution. In spite of the remonstrance of their solicitor, the magistrate held that the inspector's action was in accordance with "The Evidence Further Amendment Act, 1905," which provides that "a judge or justice may require any person to be examined as a witness."

Hop-picking at Motueka has had a far-reaching effect on school children in Wellington. According to Mr Dineen, truant officer, there was an advertisement inserted in the Wellington papers some time ago setting out that children were wanted in Motueka for hop-picking. Subsequently he discovered that twelve children had gone over to the hopfields from Wellington. He communicated, with the parents and had most of the pupils brought back.

At the last meeting of the Wellington Education Board a letter was read from the Education Department, declining the request for a new school site at Eketahuna. The question of the erection of a new school at Putara was referred to the Inspectors. Authority was given for the provision of fire-guides to ten schools in the Bush district.' It was decided that renewed application be made for the erection of a school at Waterfalls. .

The grape crop in New South Wales this season is one of the finest experienced for many years, and considerable quantities of extra choice white Muscatels are being' shipped to Hamburg. A couple of years ago a Mudgee district grower found a highly-paying market , in British Columbia, and it is intended' to send further shipments this year. Cork dust is found to be the best packing, the greatest care being taken to remove all broken berries from the bunches before they are put in the cases.

Imagine someone ripping your bick open with a red-hot pitchfork—that's lurnbigo No reason to endure the agony. Ju9t try Bheomo. Has cured thousands—will cure you. •'■•■"

The Carlton Cricket Club will play ai match against Petone, at Masterton, on Easter Monday. The Gazette notifies that this year is to be a close season for imported and native game in the Wanganui district. The police raided a Chinese store at Reefton on Friday- They found a stock of opium and arrested several Chinamen in consequence. Residents of the Western Spit, ■ Napier, are petitioning the Colonial Secretary to change the name of the . locality to Western Shore. ■ •■■A big slip in the Manawatu Gorge prevents vehicular traffic, says the Manawatu Times. Part of the road was carried away into the river with the side of the cliff, and a new road will have to be made. A five-roomed house at Pahiatua, owned by Mrs H. Lickfold, and occupied by A. Matthews, was completely . destroyed by fire early on Friday morning. The insurance on the building was £IOO in the Alliance Office. The furniture was insured for £75 in the Victoria Office. The origin of the fire is unknown. The Auckland Education Board is taking ,the le,ad in the matter of establishing an agricultural school to which free places should be • given winners of scholarships. The taken by Auckland will, it is,hoped (says a Southern contempor- • ary) be, followed by other boards in the colony. There is ample provision under "The Manual and Technical Instruction Act" for the maintenance of agricultural schools once they are established, and there is reason to think that the department would make liberal grants for building. Miss Grace Wilson, a University student, died suddenly at Christchurch on Fridaj'. Very few of her fellow students knew that she had -Tbeen ailing, and the announcement tof her death (says a Press Association telegram) came as a great shock. Miss Wilson, who was about 22 years of age, had been a pupil of the Christchurch Girls' High School, and from that institution she went to the University. She won a senior scholarship in 1905, took the B.A. degree in the same year, and the M. A. degree with honours in English and French last year. A report by the mail states that arrangements have been completed for the formation of a new steamship sjrvice between the northern ports of France and Australia. As far as /can be ascertained, the company will (devote itself exclusively to the carriage of cargo, but the vessels to be built will probably contain accommodation for a limited number of passengers. The company, the report states, is to be known as the Lloyd Francais, and the fleet is to consist of five powerful steamers of 7,000 tons each. The pioneer vessel of the line will be the Ville de Rouen, a steel steamship of 4,721 tons, which loaded at Australian ports last December. The Ville de Rouen is a fine type of the modern cargo steamer, and was built in Havre in 1903. ' £ft "^ rs Major, Worksop Road, adverfl| tises for a general servant. " An unfurnished room within afiw a few minutes walk of the Post Office is advertised for. Quinces in any quantity are advertised for sale by Mr J. O'Malley, South Road. A reward is offered for the return of a dark bay cob, lost from Bannister Street. On account of the Easter holidays, Messrs Dimock and Co., Ltd., have ' arranged to alter the dates for receiving pig 3 at Eketahuna till tc-day and at Mauriceville to-morrow. The New Zealand Railways Department advertise train arrange- ,. mentsfor the Easter holidays, inNcluding special trains for the race meetings at Tauherenikau and Feilding. The Masterton Borough Council notify that the town water supply will be cut off, to-morrow, from 8 a.m. till evening, in Queen Street from the Queen's Hotel, and in High Street, South Road, Kuripuni Street, and Dixon Street South. At 1.30 p.m., on Wednesday next, Messrs R. E. Howell and Co. will hold a special sale of household furniture at Pine Street on account of Mr S. Paget. At the same time the sixroomed house and section, with 41 y~, feet frontage to Pine Street,' will be " A submitted. The residence is a good ; -wr one, and supplied with every modern convenience. At their Masterton rooms, at 2 o'clock, on Friday, April 26th next, Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., will submit at auction on account of the Wellington School Commissioners five allotments in Block 1., Otahoua Survey District, varying from 6f acres to 34| acres and 542 acres in Hlock VII., Mikimiki. Plans and particulars can be obtained at the office of the auctioneers or from the Secretary to the Commissioners (Mr J. H. W. Wardrop), Wellington. The first issue of the Singer Almanac .of Australasia for 1907 is to hand from the Singer Manufacturing Company. The book, which is to be . A|.. published annually, is certainly a handy book of useful reference. The principal feature of the work is & summary, chronologically arranged, of notable Australasian events, ranging from the Jyear in which the' Australasian Continent was first discovered, up to the present day, and its production reflects great credit on the enterprise of the firm. *- The agonising pain, stiffness,, unci sore- , ness of the joints and muscles, felt by suf• 1 ferersfrom rheumatism, is quickly removed by Bheoio. All chemists and stbros, 2/6 and 4/6 per bottle. Try it. MERIT KEWABDED BY COURTOF JUSTICE. The acknowledged good qualities and ■ '■ ■ siiceess of SANDEB & SONS' EUCA- - LYPTI EXTRACT have brought out many, T ! j imitations, and one case was just tried in 9 the Supreme Court of Victoria, before his Honour Chief Justice Sir J. Madden K.C.M.G., etc. His Honour, when giving jadoment said with regard to the GENUINE SANDER & SONS' EUCALYPTI EXTRACT, that whenever an article is commended to the public by reason of its good quality, etc., it s not permissable to imitate any of its features. He restrained the imitators perpetually from doing 30, and ordered them to pay all eoßts. We publish this to afford the public an opportunity of protecting themselves and of securing what is proved beyond all doubt by pkilled witnesses at the Supreme Court of Victoria and by many wuthorities ' , ~ ■ durirjg the, la?t 30 years to be a y eparation I . of- genuine merit, viz., THE < - ENUINE "BANDER & SONS 1 ' PURE VjLATILF I t , r " BUCALYPTJf EXTRACT: * i

The Board of Management of the Y.M.C.A. will hold its monthly meeting thisjjevening. There will be no trophy shooting competition in connection with the Fairview Rifle Club on Thursday next.

Miss E. Barkley has been appointed an assistant teacher at the Pahiatua School. Miss Turner has been asked to take temporary charge of the Te Whiti School. A strike has occurred at the Southland Sawmilling Company's mill beyond Orepuki. The men objected to the appointment of a new head bushman, and gave 24 hours' notice. The mill manager sided with the men and resigned. The mill has been temporarily closed down, but it is expected work will be resumed to-day with a new staff..

"If I were back in Sydney with my ticket purchased for 'Frisco, I would, knowing what I now know, sell it and remain." This is a sentence from a private letter written by .an English builder who left Australia last year for San Francisco. The correspondent gives an appalling description of affairs in the Californian capital. "The town is infested with thugs and gaspipers," he says. "Someone is shot daily. Others are clubbed and robbed. Three women were shot about a week ago not a hundred yards from where I am staying — in the heart of the city." A touching incident happened last Friday, says the Otago Daily Times, in connection with the death of a little boy named Noble Clement Harris, who died at Seacliff from blood poisoning, resulting from a sting of a spider. All that skill could do for him was done by Dr. Tiuby King, but he died within two days in great suffering. He was buried on Friday, and the Waikouaiti School got a halfholiday. Six of the hoys walked all the way—a distance of eight miles — to attend the funeral, and they would have had to walk back but for the fact that some kind friends paid their fare and treated them to tea.

Members of the Government seem to be confident of placing the Land Bill on the Statute Book next session. The Hon. Mr Millar, speaking at a social at Wellington recently, expressed himself to that effect, and the Hon. Mr Fowlds was equally emphatic to an Auckland interviewer. Asked whether there was any change in the prospects of the measure, Mr Fowlds replied: "No. The people in the South are very favourable to the Bill, and it will go on the Statute Book next session. There will be strong opposition, but we will have a sufficient majority, and I believe that thejßill willlJbecome law without as hard a fight as some people imagine." Representatives of various local authorities in the health district of Otago having failed to agree as to the apportionment of the cost of providing and maintaining a hospital at Dunedin for the reception of cases of infectious disease, on Friday appeared, together with the District Health .Officer, before Mr Widdowson, S.M., upon whom the power of apportioning the cost devolved. Evidence was given for and against the proposals to the Health Department, many representatives from country districts contending that the hospital could not possibly be of benefit outside the city and suburbs. For the other side, it was argued that the hospital would prevent the spread of infection from city to country in times of epidemic, and would be of equal value to the whole community. The magistrate reserved his decision.