LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8556, 15 October 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A movement is on foot in Carterton to form a Volunteer Corps, writes our correspondent.

A meeting of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust will be held on Friday next at 7.30 p.m., in the Trust office, Hall Street.

The colonial mail= which left Sidney on September 3rd per R.M.S. Moana, via Vancouver, arrived in London on the afternoon of the 11th inst.

In some .parts of New Zealand, Tatsmanian hardwood is displacing totara for fencing purposes. Despite the duty and freight, it is stated, Tasmanian timber can be bought in this country for less than totara.

At the request of the Maori clergy, the publicans in Hastings are displaying in prominent places in their hotels printed cards setting forth the sections of the Licensing Act controlling the sale of drink to natives.

Returns from fifty counties of the State of Misfeouri show that the shipment of eggs for the year 1905 was 49,258,031 dozen, valued at £1,477,740. There were shipped from the same counties 92,781,7861b of poultry, which brought to the(.shippers £1,677,293, or a grand total of £3,155,033. The Alta Vady Estate at Awamoko, recently offered to the Government for closer settlement purposes, has now bee?, sold through the National Mortgage Agency, at a price absolutely fixed by the trustees when the offer was made, viz, £7 10s per acre, states an Oamaru Press Association telegram. The purchase money totals £25,650, and the transaction is one of the largest recorded in the district for years. The purchasers are Messrs Ruddenklau Bros., Canterbury.

A Drivers and Stockmen's Union is to be formed in Canterbury, not so much to deal with wages or conditions of labour, but to regulate the driving of 'stock, so as to exclude some .part of the boy labour extensively employed at present. Many inexperienced lads are employed, and it is stated that the treatment of stock is often cruel. ,lt is suggested that drivers should be licensed as at Home.

Making enquiries the other day as to the reason for the advance in some parts of the province in the price of mutton, a Taranaki reporter, learned from a butcher that sheepowners were demanding 25s to 28s, and up to 35s for sheep which a few years ago could easily have been purchased at from 12s 5d to 16s a head. He added that the butchers had been losing money by holding to the late retail rates of meat. They had been' daily expecting that the beef market would become easier, but the freezing works operations and the brisk demand by Auckland buyers for Taranaki fat stock was keeping cattle in short supply.

A tribute, to the good qualities of New Zealanders is paid in a letter which 'Mr Donne, general manager of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, lias received from Mr W. W. Wheeler, a millionaire of St. Joseph, Missouti, U.S.A., who recently visited this country. "We were," he writes, "treated royally while in New Zealand, and I can only speak of the people and the country in the most commendatory terms. In fact, I believe that they are to-day the most reliable, honest, and straightforward people on the face of the earth, and the country is certainly a delight to anyone who is fortunate enough to have an opportunity to '.ravel there." STEAM ON THE FAMJ. Do you recognise what an advantage it is to have a supply of live steam on the farm? It means, a liberal supp'y ot boilir," water for washing esuis or clothes, for scalding pigs or cooking t-tock food, and you can secure these advantages at a small cost by pnrch.'uir.g a "New, Century" Steamer. One good lire pro vides steam tor two hours, and can be loft with peifeet safety. The "New Century" combines the strong points of the oulinary portlble washing coppsr and the high pressmo steam boiler without their disadvantages. MacEwan and Cd., Ltd., Sole Agents, U.S.S. Co.'s Buildings, Wellington.

A sharp earthquake was felt at Whakatane, (Auckland) at 7.15 on Sunday night. During the month of September the Masterton gasworks staff laid eleven ordinary services and six lamp services. Thirteen new meters were also fixed. The annual examinations in practical music, conducted under the auspices of the R.A.M. and K.C.M., London, commenced, yesterday morning, in the Foresters' Hall, Mr R. Cummings being the examiner. The Minister for Education has informed Mr Hornsby that the final decision as to the site of the Dyer School will be with the Education Board.— Parliamentary correspondent. - On Saturday afternoon the body of Lancelot Rooney, one of the two boys who were drowned in Lake Forsyth some time ago was discovered, states a Christchurch Press Association telegram. The following subscriptions were received, yesterday, at the Age Office in aid of the Pulford Family:—M. C. O'Connell, £1 Is; D. Nicholson, ss; A. C. Major, £1 Is; 8.1., ss; C. Y. Dally, ss; A.8.C., ss. The Finance Committee of the Masterton Borough Council met last evening, and decided to recommend the Council to pass accounts amounting to £1,200 for payment. The report of the Gas Manager was received and adopted. The Ruamahanga bridge at Belvedere has been declared unsafe for traffic, writes our Carterton correspondent, and a notice attached to the structure warns those who cross witii vehicles at; faster than a walking pace that they do so at their own risk. Mrs Butler, who left Carterton about seven months ago in company with the Rev. B. H. and Mrs Ginger and family on a trip to the Old Country, will leave England on her return to New Zealand on Thursday next, writes our Carterton correspondent. Mrs Petersen, .of Belvedere, will probably return by the same boat. The Dytr Settlement is shortly to have a post office, which will be known as Waihora the original Maori name for that locality. Mr Hornsby has had an application sent to him for the position of and telephonist, and this he has « transmitted to the Postmaster-Gen-eral. It appears that the applicant is about to open a store at Waihora. —Parliamentary correspondent. A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of J. W. Dockery, painter, was held at Greytown, yesterday, when there were presentMessrs D. P. Loasby, W. H. Day* Veitrh and Allen and Mark Maxton. The bar.krupt was examined,, and stated that for some time past lie had been ou*", of: work to a considerable extent. During the last nine months he had earned only £33. The liabilities amounted to £96, and the assets to about £3. It was decided to. oppose bankrupt's discharge until he had paid 5s in the £. After an absence of r.early 40 yearsMr C. E. Cockburn-Hood, who will be accompanied by Mrs CockburnHood, has decided to vjsit the Old Country, early next year. Mr Cocß-burn-Hcod, who is at present Chairman of the Masterton Coun'y Council, is not only a well-known and deservedly respected resident of the Wairarapa, but, during the many years that he has taken part in public affairs, he has rendered valuable services to the district. They are many who wish Mr and Mrs. Cockburn-Hood a pleasant trip a~d. safe return. The reply of the Railway Minister* writes our Parliamentary reporter, to. the application of ihe member for Wairarapa for increased accommo T &- dation at the railway sheep and cattle* yards, Greytown, is unfavourable,, and has been prompted by the action, of the meat companies, whose buyers direct that sheep and cattle shall go to Feathers'ton or Carterton, as the case may be, instead of to Greytown. Mr Elornsby is now asking that the Minister should reconsider; his decision, for, as he puts it, if the yards were adequate, if thefacilities were available, the sheep, would be trucked at Grejtown. During the heavy thunderstorm on Friday morning last a thunderbolt; struck the ground a few yards away, from Mr M. Wilton's residence en the Upper Plain. The occurrence was of a decidedly startling character, and Mr Wilton, who witnessed it from his doorway, was momentarily quite dazed. Subsequent investigation revealed a large hole in tho ground. A small gate was carried away and a quantity of bark was torn off a tree. Three ducks, which happened to bo in the way, were killed, while a number of others were stunned. For a~i instant the immediate locality appeared to be a blaze of fire. The quantity of gas manufactured at the Masterton Gasworks during the month of September was 1,844,100 cubic feet, as compared with 1,376,600 cubic feet for the corresponding month last year, being an increas-e of 467,500 cubic feet. The amount of gas sold per meter during the month was 1,715,400 cubic feet, an increase of 492,400 cubic feet over that .sold in September last year. The amount of gas manufactured shows an increase of 33.96 per cent., and the gas sold an increase of 40.26 per cent. The average rate of increase for the first six months of the present financial year was 39.76 per cent, for gas made, and 27.20 for gas sold per meter. The receipts for the month amounted to £717 18s9d, an increase of £135 15s 6d over the receipts for September 1906. The purchase of a Piano is a matter which should bo thought of at once. The sum involved is not large, but there are so many questions of quality, tone, price and make, which tinrp'y must be taken into consideration. Intro is still another point which should always weigh with a wiij and cautious pui chaser—buy your Piano from a house with a reputation. Don't ran tho risk of a bad puichaie! Sife by side, two pianos might appear to bo of tqual value. Yet one could really be almost perfect, and the ottiT a worthless imitation. Kemember, gordness in a piano is not merely in tho casr, bat in tho quul ty i f its touch and tone It is in producing a responsive instrument that steshng value is accorded-—one with touch, c-xpitts on and quality cf tone. Should 3011 dtsire !o puichase a piano, call at tho Drcsdcr; Piano Corcpary. They keep tba largest stocks, and deal only with the le isb!e makeis. On tirne-pajments from 20e month] v. Local Manager: A. B. Wallace.

Mr C. Hyland. of Rakaunui, has purchased Mrs Emslie's farm at Tawataia Valley. Heavy rain has fallen in the Bush district during the last few days. The Mangatainoka River is in flood and the Kcnini Flats are under water. te* The death occurred at Asbburton week of Mr P. Williams, father of Messrs A. E. and E. P. Williams, of Pahiatua. The Postmaster intimates that subscribers to the Telephone Exchange, whosß subscriptions remain unpaid at 5 o'clock this (Tuesday) evening, will be disconnected at the annunciator. is stated that Mr Thomas Ruxwill contest the at the next Parliamentary election. Ho will support the policy of the present Government, and will receive its assistance. Mr Buxton was Mayor of Temuka for five years. The Masterton Masonic Lodge is at present considering plans for extensive alterations and additions to the Masonic Hall in Bannister Street. The matter is in the hands of a building committee. The expsnditure involved [will be something over £6OO. An entertainment in connection with the Wairarapa Yorkshire Society will be given in St. Matthew's Schoolroom at 8 o'clock this evening, at which a series of lantern slide views will be shown by the Rev. J. H. Sykes. Tickets are obtainable from members of the Societv or from the secretary, Mr H. H. Collins. At the close of the meeting of the Dunedin City Council on Thursday last, Mr C. R. Smith expressed an earnest desire to suppress Mr Keir Hardie. "We are all loyal British people here," said he. "I am a loyal Britisher myself, and I sincerely hope and trust that we, in our official capacities, will lend no assistance or countenance to his movement whatever." The Council, however, turned a deaf ear to Mr Smith's appeal. A member of the Hon. W. HallJones' party, writing from London to a friend in Christchurch says:Our patient is steadily improving, and is now a very different person from t£u poor wreck you helped on thi steamer at Lyttelton. He has not, of course, recovered all his strength and energy yet, and doesn't join us in anv of our long walking excursions about the great City, but beyond the fret that he tires very easily, he is making better progress than'any of us expected. A novel way of cleansing milk is adopted in ireveral European cities, states a London paper. The milk Ap filtered through sand The sand i 3 placed in large vessels in three layers, the coarsest sand occupying the bottom layer, and the finest sand the top. The milk enters at the bottom under pressure, rises through the sand, and passes off through a pipe and a cooler into milk cans. It is said that all dirt is thus removed, • and the number of bacteria is reduced to one-third. The loss of cream from new milk is very small. "We are still experiencing earthquakes in San Francisco," says an American writing to a friend in Wellington. "We have had a very unusual summer —cool and damp—which, I think, is in some way du3 to the earthquakes. There was another goo 3 one on a recent Sunday morning, which had us all up. In San Francisco it is a poor week when they do not have one or,two shocks, but the papers never mention them for fear of injuring the rebuilding of the city. ■ Large buildings are going up, and a.3 the Board of Supervisors have re- -. moved .the height limit more sky scrapers are go'ng up than before the-etrthquake." A common error of nomenclature is denounced by Br. L. Cockayne, F.L.S., in an article on native plants in "The Young Men's Magazine." The manuka of the Maori, the teatree of the colonist, anJ Leptosper-mu-n scoparium of the scientist was a useful plant to the old pioneers, who used its small, stiff, aromatic leaves as a substitute for tea. "From this use," observes the doctor, "the English name 'tea-tree' has arisen, and through corrupt spelling the spurious Maori 'ti-tree' has followed, a term beloved of journalists, who, during the Exhibition season, •have invariably so designated the manuka. Worse than this is the usage in South Otago, where, 'plain for all eyes to see,' is the legend "f iTri' on a certain wayside station." The School of Instruction to prepare candidates for the officers' and non-commissioned officers' examina- ' tions in December next commenced last evening in the Drill Hall, under the supervision of Captain H. H. Browne, of the Department's Instructional Staff, assisted by StaffSergeant - Majors McNair and Burr. There were 31 present, including members of Volunteer Corps from the Lower Valley. A lscture was given by Captain Browne on discipline, squadron and company movements, and infantry and combined training. The syllabus of the work be carried out during the remainder the week is as follows:—Tuesday— Regimental and battalion movements; solution of tactical problems. \*. Wednesday—Musketry—use of aim connector; triangle of error; firing exercises; semaphore signalling.. Thursday—Parade at 2.30; squadron and company drill; use of rangefinder; field engineering. FridayUsual parade with arms at 7.30 p.m.; battalion drill; judging distances by ground; lecture on topography. Saturday— Parade at 2.30 p.m.; fielri sketching; field engineering: knotting and lashing. When a man has smoked them once—cigarette buying is no longer a question of-choice, for he naturally asks for Taddy's Myrtle 1 ' Grove Cigarettes.* Baby's Little Troubles. Bab\'3 coiigh, if not attended 10, often results in croup and other sorious [troubles. Ahvorskeep a- hott'e of Pr. She'don's New Discovery handy, and he prepared. TCverv bottle guarantied. Obtainable at 11. F" lito'iV, Uhemist. CbamreilHin'sFain Balm is one of tie triumphs cf modern mtd cines, f>x by appljing it t> bruWes, burns and like injuries before inflammation set 3 in they will heal much quicker and should not leave- a scar. For sale by all dealers. In Despera'e Strait?, Are mimy who could bs cured by Dr. Shel- > don's New Discovery for Coughs, Colds * find Consumption. Trice 13 fid and 3s per buttlp. Obtainable from H. E. Eton's, Chemist.

The wages bill of the Wellington City Council for the two weeks, ended September 24th, amounted to £3,524. The death occurred at Dannevirke, on Sunday last, of Mrs Ingram, wife of Mr James Ingram. The deceased was 21 years of age. Mr A. C. Grant, who has been stationmaster atMangatainoka for the past six or seven years has been promoted to stationmaster at the Greymouth Station. Mrs Christensen, wife of the late Mr L. Christensen, of Norsewood, died at the residence of her son, MiGeorge Christensen, at Norsewood, yesterday. The deceased was 78 years of age. Mails for the Australian States, Ceylon, India, China, Straits Settlements, South Africa, Continent of Europe and United Kingdom, per j Monowai, will cbse at Masterton, j at 6.15 a.m. on Friday next. Mails for Canada and the united States, per Manapouri. will close at Masterton on Tuesday, October 29th, at 5.30 a.m. An effort is being made to provide funds to send a young Christchurch girl to the Continent to pursue her studies on the violin. Miss Florence Scapens, a little maid of 12 years of age, has shown such aptitude with the violin, says an exchange, that those in a position to judge, who have heard her play, are unanimous in their opinion that her talent is well worth cultivating. ' In reply to a deputation from the New Zeafand Alliance, which waited j on him, yesterday, in reference to the granting of club charters, the Attorney •• General (Dr. Findlay) j stated that in regard <o the Master- j ton Club, a definite promise had been | made to the members by a previous j Administration that if they built | their club-house, a charter Would be granted. The same thing appl'ed t) Hastings, Feilding, and to the Cosmopolitan Club at Gisborne. He staged, however, that Cabinet had passed a resolution that no charters should be granted in the future, and this resolution, would be strictly adhered to. ; The Masterton Operatic Society is growing in popularity in proportion with its success. During- the winter regular rehearsals of Balfe's "Bohemian Girl' have been held under the baton of Mr Sydney Earee, and the somewhat intricate choruses have been mastered, and last night new voices swelled the volume. Though the membership is growing steadily the nature of the music requires still larger • numbers and new members will be welcome." It is hoped to put the piece oh the boards about Christmas. Most of the principal parts are now well under way. At a committee meeting, held last night after rehearsal, Mr W. G. Lamb was elected secretaiy. The pianiste is Mrs Satchell, j At the monthly meeting of the Workers' Mutual Building Society, | held last evening, at the secretary's < office, Hall Street, the following ] directors were present—Messrs R. Krahagsn (chairman), E. Chamberlain, T. Cresswell, A. Gardner and J. W. Gordon. An apology for absence was received from Mr H. O. Fowles. The Treasurer reported a credit balance in the Bank of New South Wales of £176 12s 6d. Four applications for shares were received and granted. The Secretary reported ,that the last sale of £3OO had realised £57 10s. It was decided to hold the annual meeting of shareholders on Thursday, December 7th, and that a ballot for £3OO (free of interest) should be taken after the meeting. The matter of drawing up the annual report was left in the hands of the Chairman and Secretary. "It means this," said Captain Browne, of (he Defencs Department's Instructional Staff, when questioned by a Wairarapa Age reporter, last evening, a3 to the Dapartment's proposals in connection with the calling out of the militia, "that if the young men of the pres3iit day are not prepared to do their duty to their country by going in for volunteering, the militia will hRYC to be called out, J can see nothing elsa for it, because there is no doubt that volunteering is on the decline." He added that all that would be .done at present would be the preparation of the militia roll. This was for the purpnse of ascertaining the Dominion's - possible defence force in time of war, but, in the opinion of the speaker, a further step would have to be taken. The militia would have to be called out, for it was impo«siDle to ascertain the strength of our defence force unless the men were brought out and drilled. "There might be l'), 000 fit men on paper," said the captain, "but when these men come to be examined there might be only 100 physically fit for aitive service." According to Dr. L. Cockayne, F.L.S., the name New Zealand flax is a entire misnomer, ''sines that species in question is not flax at all, but another member of the lily family, consequently a near relative of the cabbage tree, the true native flax being a pretty white flowered herb common along the coast." Dr. Cockayne states that "beyond the borders of New Zealand the flax is cultivated for ornament in all civilised lands, and in many places it yields abundance of excellent seed, so that there is not the slightest reason for what has been written in the papers as to tho folly of our exporting seed lost other countries should compete with us in the flax industry, even were such a selfish poMcy desirable." Rather, the doctor considers, should we use some of the foreign-grown seed for our experiments since the changed environment may have exerted some influence on the fibre. What remains for us to do i'i this Dominion is (o raise new varieties, which shall contain a larger percentage of high-class fibre with a much smaller amount of gum and other refuse. If yon are an importer, send vour docu Bents to J. J. CURTIS & CO., LTD., Customhouse, Shipping, and Forwardirg Agents, Wellington. They will quickly pasa tho goods through the Customs and deliver them to you A Painful Swelling On any part of the body will, if neglected, end in some kind of sore, such as a boil, carbuncle, nicer, abscess, fistula, etc. To prevent such a result, apply Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic Liniment. This will relieve the pain, draw out the ioflamation, reduce the swe'ling, and drive .away the entire trcub'e. Accept no substitute. Price Is Cd and 3s. , Obtainable at H. E. Eton's, Jhemiet.

Mr Ernest Aves, the British Economic Commissioner, left Wellington for Auckland yesterday, states a Press Association telegram. A lecture was delivered in the Wesleyan Church Schoolroom last evening by the Rev. W. J. Elliott on "Irish Life and Character." Mr P. L. Hollings'occupied the chair. During the evening songs were rendered by Mesdames G. Boagey ("Killarnev") and Edwards ("Why Did They Sell Killarney?"), and Mr N. McEwen ("Barney O'Hea"). A vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Mr Elliott for his lecture. The following' statement of solicitors' costs in connection with loans to local bodies was read at the last meeting of the Greytown Borough Council by Councillor Judd, states the Greytown Standard:—Masterton Borough's seven loans totalling £52,000, solicitor's costs £34 10s; Karori Borough loan of £17,000, solicitor's costs £3B; New Plymouth loans of ■£10,500 and £2,500, solicitor's costs respectively £36 15s and £lO 10s; Nelson loan of £2.500, solicitor's costs £2l; Greymouth loan of £4,000, solicitor's costs, £26; and Waneanui loan of £IO,OOO, £26 ss. Provided the weather is fine, the Masterton Bowling Club will open the season on Thursday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. At that hour the President (Mr O. Pragnell) will deliver a brief address, after which the first "Jack" will be thrown up the green. Mr Pragnell will provide the afternoon tea,"which will be dispensed by a number of ladies. Invitations to be present have been extended to the various clubs in the district, and there is every prospect of a 1/u-ge gathering of followers of the popular summer pastime. A meeting of the Ladies' Committee of the Club will be held during the afternoon. The action of the Government in not contributing a third to the expenses of the Fire Boards came in for scathing condemnation at the hands of Mr Cray, Chairman of the Dunedin Fire Boaid, at a meeting last week. Mr Cray pointed out that this was the course followed by the Government in Australia and elsewhere, and he said it was paltry on the part of the Government to contribute only the small dole that it was now obliged to pay. Mr Cray indicated that it would be as well to borrow from the Commonwealth some other ideas as to the equipment and management of fire brigades. In his monthly report to the Gas Committee, last evening, the Gas Manager (Mr J. W. Black man) stated that on September 24th the exhauster at the Masterton Gasworks broke down, necessitating the fixing of a new piece of shafting connecting the drum of the exhauster to the engine. In consequence the manufacture of gas had to cease for ten hours, and the delay might possibly have been longer. Such a mishap, said the Manager, showed the necessity of having ample storage accommodation. This ths new gaslnlder has provide J. No inconvenu nji was felt, but, continued Mr Blackman, had the accident occurred during last mid-winter, it would have been a serious matter. A strange siory was told the Chnstchurch Charitable Aid Board, the other day, by a tall fair young woman, who said she never asked for charity before. She was married some time ago, but her husband left her three months after the marriage. He is a baker, and went to start a business of his own in the North Island, promising to send for her and make her a comfortable home. She had never seen him since. They did not quarrel, there was "o upbraiding, nor apparently even a difference of opinion. He wrote from a country district, and sent a small sum of money, but she had now entirely lost track of him. The police had failed to find him. He had never seen their child, who was two months old. The v.oman said she sometimes goes out s.ribbing and washing, but it was hard to get work, and until the board gave her relief she was abKilu'ely in need of food. . Additional particulars concerning the sad drowning at the mouth of the Whareama River on Wednesday last, were given to a Wairarapa Age reporter, yesterday, by Mr H. Mortenson, who was in the boat with the late Mr Pulford .vhen it capsizad. Mr Mortenson stated that for nearly half an hour after the boat had been upset, he and Mr Pulford clung to it. This was a trying experience, fur the breakers kept rolling over them, and turning the boat over and over. Frequently they lost their hold of the boat. When the boat upset they were half a mile from the shore, but gradually they were washed in towards the land by the breakers. Suddenly Mr Pulford let go his hold, and he was then standing up to his chest in water in the backwash of a breaker. Mr Mortenson, who still clung to the upturned boat, looked back and saw his comrade standing perfectly still in the water. Then large breakers swept over him, and the unfortunate man was seen no more. The boat drifted towards' the rocks, and Mr Mortenson, realising his danger, abandoned it and started to swim for the shore. He accomplished the task without any further mishap. A purse lost on the Fark Oval on Sunday afternoon is advertised for. An advertiser has a vacancy for a gentleman boarder in a private family. The proprietor of the Tip Top and Wnite Fruit Shops announces that he is a cash purchaser o: European vegetables and fruit in season. Messrs McWilliams and Woodward, of Palmerston North, advertise for sole a property of 1,400 acres on the Main Trunk Line. Special train fares in connection with the Wellington races are advertised by the New Zealand Railways Department. Messrs Chamberlain and Sou make a speciality of whole meal milled from the best wheat. The advantage of this flour as a health-producer is fully recognised by the medical faculty. A liver gives rise to biliousness, headaches, irritabilily and other disorders The liver wants stimulating (,'tntly to do its work, and the medicine for this Js Cham* berlain's Tablets. They are mild and gentle in ther action, and their use is not followed by constipation. For tale by al! dealers.