LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9104, 2 June 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Masterton Butter Factory will probably close down shortly, after a very long season. The factory is only working twice a week at present. Mr A. Donald will deliver a lecture, entitled "Poison and their Antidotes," at the meeting of the men's division of the St. John Ambulance Corps on Thursday evening. The Masterton Choral Society has a membership now of seventy-nine. A rehearsal is to be held this evening, when a practice of the "May Queen" and other music for next concert will be gone through. !V'r A. P. Ravvson, who was instructed by the Masterton Racing Club to make a survey of Solway grounds with a view of ascertaining whether a new course could be laid out there, has about completed his survey, and will report to the next meeting of stewards of the Club.

Nine tenders were received for the erection of the Congregational Church in Masterton. These have been sent down to the Wellington Committee of the Congregational Union. The name of the successful tenderer will probably be khowr. today. ' A crowded meeting of members of the Masterton No-License League was held in the Y.M.G.A. rooms last evening, the Rev. J. N. Buttle presiding. A number of matters in connection with the purpose of the League were discussed and preliminary plans arranged for the coming campaign at the general election. The following is the drawing for the second round of the Opaki Quoiis Club's competition for Messrs Levin and Co.'s trophy: —J. Campbell, junr., v. R. Hunt:, Tunnicliffe v. J. Campbell, E. Petersen v. Searle, Daken v. T. Wyeth, J. Nicholson v. K. Tankersley, T Chamberlain v. J. Duckett, E. Petersen a bye.

A well-known Pahiatua settler informed a Wairarapa Age representative that the grats is coming on well in the Forty Mile Bush district—especially about Ballance and Makomako— and there will be plenty of feed for stock during the winter. "We have not experienced such mild weather as we ha«e had lately for over twenty years." "I've joined the teetotallers, your Worship," pleaded a venerable old inebriate at the Masterton Police Court yesterday. This information was intended, of course, as a gentle hint to the Bench of Justices that .the offender thought he had sufficiently expiated his lapse. "Well, we'll just give you fourteen days to make up your mind thoroughly about it," was the rejoinder of Mr G. Heron, J.P., the police having stated that accuaed was going the right way to being sent to Pakatoa HomeTwo old men, charged with drunkenness at the Masierton Police Court, yesterday, were sentenced to fourteen day's imprisonment by Messrs G. Heron and Eli Smith, J.s.P, who occupied the Bench. Their names were, respectively, John McKay and Kenneth Muir,. and each had several previous convictions. Robert Uhr, charged with the- theft of a blanket from a boardinghouse, and who had three previous convictions for recent thefts,, was sentenced to a week's hard labour.

The early bird catches the worm, but the early mortal some'imes catches even early birds. A local resident, whose wares are often delivered to his patrons per express before sunrise, was surprised yesterday morning to see one of his fowls quietly stroll out from under the vehicle when it was standing in Queen Street, nearly a mile away from its supposed roost. Further investigation revealed two more '.'barn-yard citizens" snugly perched en the chains under thd express. They had been driven through the town at a brisk pace, but never budged. The monthly competitions in connection with the Opaki Quoits Club were held at Mr Searle's property, Te Mara, on Saturday last. The weather was favourable and the attendance goo:l. The men's match was won by Mr R. Tankersley, Mr Searle being second, and Mr H. Duckett third. The ladies' played for Miss Kean's trophy, which, after a spirited contest, was won by Miss E. roreman, Miss J. Campbell being a good second. Afternoon tea was provided by the ladies, who were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. i

Th 3 utmost enthusiasm prevails among the congregation of Knox Cnurch in regard , to the proposed additions to and the instilling of a pipe organ in the church, and some very handsome ■donations are being received towards the work. The organ is to be purchased from an English firm with a reputation f«r pipe organs, on the recommendation of Mr Peter Hayes, of Wellington, who was technical adviser to the Wellington City Council in connection with the erection of the Wellington Town Hall organ. The additions to the church already authorised will be put in hand shortly. Says a well-known medical man to-day n speaking to the proprietor:— "l think moat highly of your TUSSICUR \, and imny add that leading analysts look upon it as a very valuablo discovery.

The Makuri Rifle Club defeated the Pahiatua Rifles in a shooting match on Saturday by 54 points.

The drawing of the Art Union of the Masterton Fire Police has been postponed till June 30th.

The Town Hall has been booked for JunelJthand 12th by MacMahon's Picture Company.

On Saturday next a match between the Featherston and Hutt Golf Clubs will be played at Featherston.

In consequence of the bush fires during summer, grass seed to the value of about £I.OOO has bt.cn supplied on promissory notes to Crown tenants in the Hawke's Bay district —practically all in the Waipawa county, where, in addition, about £3,000 worth of grass seed has been sown on unoccupied Crown lands.

An attempt vva3 made last year by Mr F. Af Andrews, formerly a resident of Picton, and now employed as head master by an English firm, to introduce New Zealand hops into his place of employment. Previous to this, English hop factories held the opinion that New Zealand hops, generally speaking, lacked condition, but a cDiisignment was received there at 95s per cwt., and they were subsequently declared equal to the best California!!.

A German tourist at Queenstown expressed himself freely to a Gore resident regarding the Dominion's labour laws, says the "Mataura Ensign." Discussing the hard-and-fast lines laid down by the various Acts, the visitor said: "Why, if a hostile fleet appeared off Wellington, on the day set apart as the half-holi-day, to bombard the city, the Hon. Mr Millar would be sent out to read the Act and tell them it was outrageous to work on the half-holi-day."

A meeting of those interested in the formation of a branch of the Woodlands Hunt Club in Palmerston North is to be hrdd shortly. A great deal of interest is being taken in the club, and twenty five applications for membership have been made. An invitation has been sent to the Rangitikei .Hunt Club to be present at the first meet on Saturday next. Mr Mitchell the mover, in the matter, i itends to. go. to Pahiatua to-morrow, and wj.ll make alL'necessary arrangements for Saturday next.

An industry that is assuming moderate proportions in several localities in Otago is that of sheelite mining. The "Otago Daily Times" states that a payable reef has been disiovered in the Glenorchy disirict,Que2nstovvn, and a> number of claims have been pegged out. For the past twelve months a crushing plant has been in operation in this locality; and it is currently reported that the profits place those of a 70oz or 80oz per week dredging company in the shade. The present market price of the mineral is £llO to £l2O per ton, but during the past year it has fluctuated from £9J to as much as £l7O per ton.

The value of the fruit imported to New Zealand during the year ended March 31st„ 11907, was £162,000, of which £50,000 went to Auckland, £48,000 to Wellington, £35,000 to Dunedin, and £20,000 to Lyttelton. The import of fruit has been steadily increasing since 19U3, when it was £97,000. The Cook Islands send to New Zealand oranges, mandarins, pineapples and bananas. Apples come from Tasmania, New South Wales and America, and the chief increase in recent years has been in the imports from America. New South Wales generally sends early varieties. Pears come chiefly ffom America and Tasmania, and Tasmania also sends cherries.

The Immigration League of Australasia, some months ngo sent a letter to the majority of the principal papers in the United States. This letter dealt chiefly with the pleasure with which the Australian people regarded the coming of the American Fleet to those shores, and expressed the hope that its visit would be a means of making the two countries better known to one another. It also contained the offer to send information about Australia and New Zealand to anyone who might be thinking of emigrating hither. The letter has been a success (says the "Sydney Daily Telegraph)." It has been inserted with striking leadlines in paper.-? in every part of the States, has been telegraphed by correspondents to others to which it was not sent, and has produced a rush of correspondence, not onlv from the United States, but from Canada and liritish Columbia.

Some surprise was occasioned in Sydney one day last week (says the "Daily Telegraph,") by the receipt of a telegram from Port Macquarie to the effect that. a hostile fleet had appeared off the \:oast. A resident of the north coast district telegraphed to a friend in the city, stating that a foreign fleet, consisting of about a dozen vessels, had passed the port bound for Sydney, Immediately on receipt of this message the gentleman made enquiries at the Navigation Department, with a view to getting the news confirmed. The officials at the department at first did r.ot treat *he matrer seriously, but upon beinq assured that the message was genuine, communicated with the signal-master stationed at Port Macquarie. A reply was received shortly afterwards, stating "Message has leaked out." The officials at this stage were still further perplexed, and remained so until a suggestion was forthcoming. The suggestion was that it might possibly be the military authorities making experiments. Subsequently some rather amusing information was elicited in military circles. It appears that the military authorities some time back were granted permission by the Department of Navigation to tett the lines of communication along the coast. With this end in view, the pilots and signalmasters at the different stations were acquainted of the scheme. The Port Macquarie man had been requested to despatch the telegram regarding the hostile fleet at a fixed hour, so that the time occupied in transmission could be calculated. Cough! Cough! Cough! Don't cough. Take TUSSICURA. Soothes the inflamed membrane. Soothing and healing. Is fid, 2s (id. Woods' Groat Peppermint Curo for Coughs and Colds never fails. J /ti and 2/6.

The Wanganui Golf Club will play the Featherston Golf Club on Juno 19th.

The first real frost of the season in Dunedin was experienced oto Sunday night. The winter so far has been exceedingly mild.

Mr Slater, late workers' member on the Arbitration Court, will oppose Mr b'dey for the Caversham seat at the general election.

For failing to take steps to keep rabbits in check William Hollis was lined £lO at the Napier S.M. Court, yesterday.

Over three hundred and eighty players, including ninety ladies, will take part in the Hawke's Bay Hockey Tournament, to be held at Hastings on Wednesday.

A sharp earthquake shock was experienced at Woodville on Sunday morning, at nine minutes to ten o'clock. It was preceded oy a loud rumbling.

At Napier, yesterday, five settlers were fined a nominal sum for failing to eradicate codlin moth and other orchard pests. Counsel for the prosecution stated that the Department would in future ask for neavy penalties.

The steamer Takapuna, when berthing at Onehunga on Sunday morning, against a strong wind and tide, struck the end of the wharf, throwing it several inches out of plumb and smashing two of the piles. It is estimated that it will cost £IOO to repair the damage done.

On a charge of forgery and false pretences ,at Napier, an. elderly man named John Simpson, alias McOoombe, was at VVellington, yesterday, sentenced by Mr Justice Chapman to three years' imprisonment, and declared to be an habitual criminal. A native youth named Kuakawa Huru, for theft at Wairoa, was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment.

"There is a lot of talk in this city about keeping the Chii.ese away from New Zealand, but while the speakers at dinners and other functions are saying 'We must see to it that the Chinese do not get a footing here,' the gpeakeis' wives are buying vegetables at the back door from a Chinaman," said one** grower at a meeting of the Market Guneners' Union at Auckland..

An Evangelist,, who by- some means had incurred the ill-feeling of a mobof larrikins at Christchurch, on Sun.day evening, had to get away hurriedly from his pitch near the City Hotel.. The mob followed, pelting him and his supporters with mud. A; great crowd assembled and serious. injury to the Evangelist\was only averted by the intervention of. the police.

Interviewed in Auckland on the Pure Foods Act, Dr Mason remarked that was very glad to say that the business men referred to expressed the greatest admiration for the Act, and indicated satisfaction at its having been passed. They were all willing to fall in with the new regulations, and preserve tihe Act in its entirety. It was pointed, out that there were not a great many adjltei'ated articles in the Dominion, hnd these had been manufactured to meet the public demand for cheapness and quantity, irrespective of quality. Honest manufacturers had tj enter into this kind of competition or lose the trade, and consequently they welcomed the Act.

A peculiar clause was contained in the will of the late Mr Donald Williamson (says the "Ashburton Guard-' ian"). It provided that —should the property be sold—all the aged, horses, in his possession at the time of his death should be destroyed. As Mr 1 Williamson was'known to be a man of kindly disposition, who would discountenance any ill treatment of dumb animals, it is probable that the strango clause contained in the will was dictated by his humanity and a fear lest his old servants, might, through falling into bad hands, be subjected to rough treatment if sold under the hammer. A few days ago the requirements of the will were carried out, and several of these horses were driven to tne Ashburton abattoir, where they ended their existence. / Mr A. Heiler, of Gilgandra, who had his leg fractured last week while boxing, has a. unique record for accidents, says the "Sydney Morning Herald.'' Ht> is nut twenty-five years of age, and has'alieaily experienced nineteen breakages. When nine months old he broke his wrist;, at two years, ruptured the muscles off his thigh, and broke his collar-bone; he fractured his collar-bone when three years old; at four years he dislocated his shoulder, and fractured his collar-bone; for' each-twelve months, when five, six, and seven,, he fractured his collar-bone; also rupturing the muscles- of the thigh;, his shin was fractured at ten, his; instep at eleven, and at thirteen he received a sprained l ankle; at fifteen he had.the cup knocked off an elbow, a similar accident happening again at sixteen; and at nineteen his instepi was again broken. Both of his jaws were broken at twenty-three, and within the last six months he has had both legs broken.

There was a serious affray on Saturday night on the Jessie' Burns, a cargo steamer now discharging Westralian hardwood at. the Railway Wharf, Wellington. As a result Atliol 1 Zani, a firuman, now lies in the Hospital suffering from eleven knife wound", some of whichi are alleged to have penetrated to his lungs. It is alleged that Zani was in his bunk, and that a fellow fireman named Jos~ eph Zimmerman, aged 22 years, usej offensive language to him. Zani, it is stated, got up,, left the foc'sle,, and wa« followed by Zimmermann, who challenged him to fight with knives. The allegation is that Zimmermann procured two knives from he bos'un's bunk, and followed Zani to the place where he had left him* and attacked him ; that Zani fought, and that the combatants were separated by the officers, who found Zani suffeiing from knife wounds as stated. Dr Henry ordered the wounded man to the Hospital, and the police (Ser- - ■ geant Dale and Constables Joses and Shand) took charge of Zimmermann, who was lodged m the lock-up. For rheumatism, backache, faceacho, enracho, neuralgia, and. other muscular pains nothing can equal WITCH'S OIL (registerod). _ ~ For Bronchial Coughs take Woods* Ureat Peppermint Cure, J l '6and2/6«

There were three births, three jrmarriagea and one death in Carterton 4«st month. The competition held on Saturday Bby the Featherston Rifle Club for Mr .-N. Matthews' trophy and Mr E. rßockett'a magazine rifle was con--1 eluded. Mr T. Benton, with a score •of 167, was the winner; Mr R. Parkierbeing second with 166; and Mr J. V. Reed third, with 161. A dance will be held in the meet- ' ing house, Te Ore Ore, on Thursday, • June 11th, the proceeds from which Will be in aid of the repairs fund. Some very high prices were realised at a sale of harvest thanks.- : giving gifts in connection with St. Stephen's Church, Opotiki. Cucumbers were disposed of at 10s a-piece, egg 3 10a 6d per dozen, lemons 7s 6d pur dozen, carrots 2s 6d per bunch, s«vedea Is each, and pumpkins up to 10d a piece. The church funds benefited by this remarkable sale to the ■extent of about £45.

A practice meeting of the Masterton Choral Society will ba held in St. Schoolroom at 8 o'clock to-night. A partnership ha 3 been entered int'Jsy Messrs Robinson and Robinson, and Mr W. G. Hand-Newton. The firm will be carried on under the style of Robinson and Hand-Newton. Messrs Nicol and Co., tailors and costumiers, have opened up a shipment of the latest goods in suit lengths and costume cloths. They are now turning out suits in their usual first-class style at very reasonable prices. Messrs Chamberlain Bros, make a specialty of whole meal for porridge and bread. Wheat-meal is pronounced to be the most nutritious form of food that the wheat produces. In another column Messrs Cochrane ;and Butement, land agents, Masterton, advertise particulars of a very fine 720-acrn property that has been placed in their hands for disposal. The property is all well grassed, and sub-divided into thirteen paddocks and well watered. On the property is a four-roomed hous\ wool shed, •dip, etc., and all conveniences, while i*-, is close 'to railway, school and creamery. About 300 acres of it is freehold, and the price is £l2 per acre. The balance'off the property ii leaiehild at a reasonable rental. The finjf will'b9 pieasefi'to supply full particulars of the property to any one •on application. Mr E. Loir (late of the Oxford House, Ma3ttrton) announces in another column that he has taken over the well-known Oxford Houoe. High ;street, Carterton, nearly opposite Messrs Shaw and Cole's stables. The house has* recently been renovated -tanti fitted up on the most up-lc-•date lines, and is capable of accommodating a large number of board- • era and travellers. It is conveniently -situated, and within a few minutes' -walk of the railway station. Ihe proprietor's intention is to conduct the .housu on the best possible lines, arc! patrons and the travelling public can rely on receiving every ■attention.