LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9110, 9 June 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The local labour market is very quiet just now, only a , small amount of bush work offering for unskilled labour. Several trades are also reported to be rather slack.

The directors of the Ma.stenon Cooperative Dairy Company meet today, when it will be decided whether or not the factory will, close before next month..

Mr L. P. Boilings has been retained by a Feilding. resident to conduct a case for him at the civil sitting of the Supreme Court at Palm'erston North this week.

The Masterton Ladies' Swimminsf. Clubpurpo.se holding a ball, which will take place about six weeks af'.er the Hospital Ball. The date of the Jatler will be about the 7th of next month.

The estimates of the Masterton Bbrough Council for the current year will not be presented to the Council until the report of a select committee has been received touching on some items included under the heading, "Contingencies." At to-night's meeting of the Masterton Borough Council the Select Committee appointed to discuss the reports of the two engineers CMessm G. Lang-Meason and D. Dobson) on water and drainage improvement and, extension, will make their leport.

The Wairarapa Hunt Club has decided to hold its annual sports meeting, on Taratahi Racecourse, on August 27th. The programme, which has been drawn up, will be forwarded to the Wellington racing, authorities for approval. The stakes total £BS, as against £B2 last year.

The Gas Committee of the Masterton Borough Council made a personal inspection of the streets of the borough one evening last week, with a view of ascertai:iing,where new lumps were needed. The committee wfll recommend to the Council, that about thirteen additional lights be placed in various thoroughfares. The General Committee of the Masterton A.and P. Association will meet on Saturday afternoon, next. Among the items set down on theo/der paper is the revision of the rules to allow of the committee including in its constitution several prominent South Wairarapa members. The date for the annual meeting of the Association will also probably be fixed at the meeting. Mr JEli Smith, J.P., occupied the Bench at the Masterton Police Court, yesterday morning. John Brown, represented by Mr C. A. Pownall, pleaded guilty to a charge of drunkenness and resisting Constable Kyle in the execution of his duty. A fine of £2 for resisting was imposed, and a conviction only entered for drunkenness. A first offender was fined Sis, with tlie usual alternative for having bean drunk. The Executive of the Wairarapa Athletic Association have resolved to recommend tho New Zealand Athletic Union to fine a local athlete £2O for a certain action of his in connection with a spurts meeting held this year. Another athlete was mulcted in the sum of £2 for offending against the rule prohibiting members competing at unregistered meetings. The Executive state that they are determined to deal more severely in future with the latter oli'eace. Mr C. F. B. Livesay, Architect of Wte lington, has moved to more convenionrooms in the National Mutual Chambers, Customhouse Quay, (adjoining the Head Office of the Bank of N.Z.) Address— P.O. Box 771. Telephone 2(592. For rheumatism, backache, faceaeho, earache, neuralgia, and other muscular pains nothing can equal WITCH'S OIL (registered). ,

Mr G. Canton, of Carterton, has been appointed overseer to the Hawera Borough Council. The bridge over the Tauherenikau River at Kaiwaiwai is being replanked. On Saturday last the Featherston Golf Club defeated the Hutt Club at Featherston by six games to four. It is stated that the Bank of New Zealand intend shortly to erect brick premises in the Square, Martinborough. A visit of inspection to the Alfredton district ia now being paid by Mr S. H. Ussher, Inspector of Stock, of Masterton. It is understood that the matter of drainage of the principal business centre of Martinborough will shortly be considered by the Town JtJoard. \ Fresh tenders are being invited for the erection of the Featherston Post Office, through some error in the accepted contract. A movement is on foot at Martinborough, having for its object the taking of steps to have the rating on the unimproved value principle submitted to the ratepayers.

The following school committee has been elected at Kaiwaiwai:— Messrs J. S. Cundy, R. E. Williams, J. D. Huntley, H. Cook, G. F. Knapp, Thos. Bentor. and H. Hatton. The farming prospects of the Tauranga district are improving, says the Auckland "Star," buyers from Christchurch, Wairarapa, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki competing for the last block of land opened up. i.,,

I Special services were held at St. Mark's Church, Carterton, on Sunday in commemoration of Whitsuntide. At the evening service the anthem "And when the Day of Pentecost" was rendered by the choir. For the year ended 31st March last, New Zealand exported 270,748 cwts of butter, valued at £1,333,057, and 260,765 cwt. of cheese, valued at £745,099. The figures for 1907 were—Butter, 308,333'cwt., £1,522,113; cheese, 162 913cvvt.. £449,676. A deputation, composed of representatives from the local Recbabitea, Good Templar Lodges will wait upon the Masterton Borough Council this evening in reference to the position of the section of land in Bannister Street dedicated to temperance work. The Y.M.C.A. Debating Society will meet to-night, at 7.30 p.m. The question for debate is "Which is the better form of taxation on the Unimproved and Improved Value?" The leaders for the debate will be Messrs Flanagan and J. Cole.. On Thursday the delegates from the two Wairarapa A. and P. Societies will meet at Mastertont o discuss the question of taking, steps to ( retnhurse the guarantors of the de- | funct Wairarapa Veterinary Association, who liquidated the Association's I deficit when it wound up..

There was a large attendance at the ; skating rink last evening. A hockey I match, to be played on skates, is to 1 take place this evening, and should pruve very interesting. Plajers are .requested to bring their own sticks. During the evening the Mastertoti South Brats Band will play several st lections-. '

A meeting of the- Board of Managenitnt of the Y.M.C.A. was held last evening,. Mr f. L. Hollings (President) presiding over a good attendance of members. It was decided to communicate with a member of the Melbourne Y.M.C.A.. who had been strongly recommended by Mr Gilladders (National Secretary) for .the position of general secretary for Masterton. It( was decided to give the members of the Association power to carry out a membership campaign. About'twelve members were elected.

Already work has been commenced on Solway Showgrounds, old fences being in the process of demolition and teams haying taken up their quarters preparatory to ploughing. On Thursday the General Committee of the A. and P. Association will visit the grounds, and show any members of chu Association over the place, who deshe to inspect it. Any suggestions from members in the matter of laying out the grounds, and such like, will be thankfully received by the committee and duly considered.

An incipient fire of an unusual character gave a local resident rather a rude shock yesterday. The resident in questioi—ageniieman, who wore an india-rubher overcoat—was standing back on warming himself by a gad heater, when a per«on with whom he was conversing no'.iced a volume of smoke proceeding apparently from the heater. Speedy investigation showed, however,, that the overcoat was in flames, and the wearer disrobed himself of it with due alacrity, and none too soon, as the fire had a good hold of the garment.

The monthly meeting of the directors of the Workers' Mutual Building Society was held in the Society's office last night. Mr R. Krahagen presided, and there were also present Messrs J. Candy, W. H.« Cole, J. C. Ewington, H. Fowles, A. Gardner and J. W. Gordon. An apology was received from Mr Prentice, who was absent through illness. The treasurer reported a credit balance of £215 12s 9d, It was resolved to hold a ballot for £3OO free of interest on Thursday, July 2nd. Sundry accounts were passed for payment, and two new shares were allotted to an applicant.

A meeting 1 of the Carterton branch of the Farmers' Union was held at Carterton on Saturday, the chair being occupied by Mr H. McPhee. It was decided that the branches in the Carterton district should be formed into one district branch, with headquarters at Carterton. An executive committee was elected as follows: —President, Mr H. K. Bunny; VicePresident, Mr C. J. Jury; General Committee, Messrs G. Stevens, and E. nagle, junr. (Belvedere), C. Fairbrother and R. G. Welch (Daleiield), W. Fisher, R. McLaren and A. Booth (Taratahi), W. Howard Booth (Carterton), L. Nix and W. J. Denbee (Parkvale), W. Knapp and H. Morison (Greytown); Secretary, Mr J. B. Bairstow. Of all tho silly proverbs one , AVhose voguo should bo diminished is:" Woman's work is never done! " It should 1)0: ''Never finished! " She's always working, understand, To keep tho home together; And hus Woods' Peppermint Oi.rj on hand For colds in wintry weather, 16

The steamer Dorset is taking from Australia 500 horses for the German army in South-west Africa,' No fewer than 1,042 cases have been set down for hearing at the next sitting of the Native Land Court at New Plymouth, commencing on July 4th. Judge Johnson will pnaide. In dealing with a case of truancy at Hastings, last week, Mr M'Carthy, S.M., stated that his experience had been that criminals who had come before him owed their first downfall in life to truancy in their school days. Parents should sie that children attend regularly to their school, for much of the good that education was doing was being lost through parents' neglect. Writing to a Christchurch correspondent, Mr William Bogle, a member of the Besses o'th' Barn Band, says:—"We have made a few changes since we landed home. Four or five who could not toe the line when away from home have had and I am pleased to say we have got better men in their places. If we r-an only keep the men together that we have got now, until we return to New Zealand, we will have a different band altogether from what we had before. Some of the players in the band evidently kept their eyes! open while in' New Zealand, for they have written out there inquiring as to the prospects of work, ard one has practically decided to return and take up his residence* in New Zealand,."

What is said to be the most daring surgical operation ever attempted in America, was performed at St. Joseph's Hospital, Yonkers, New York, recently, says a New York paper. A young athlete, named Robert Inglis, was stabbed in the heart in a street row, and was at carried into the hospital, and placed on the operating; table, where two surgeons, as a last hope of saving Inglis* life, removed a portion of two, ribs and then took out the heart. They inserted three stitches between the beats when the heart was distended to its utmost, and then, replacing* it, closed the wound. Within twohours Mr Jnglis revived sufficiently to describe the assault and identify his assailant, and his recovery is expected!.

The first local authority in England to start municipal golf links was, "Fry's Magazine"' states, Bournemouth. The charge there is one shilling a round. Last year the receipts were £2,798. Nottingham has also some fine municipal links which are paying well;.. Sheffield baa just been considering a scheme for ita own links-, and the Brighton Corporation has the formation of golf courses* on its list of municipal undertakings. At Edinburgh a charge of twopence only is made,, although the two links are among the finest in the country. In Scotland,,, indeed, the provision and management of golf links is a very important point of. municipal economy,, and some of the burghs have made the facilities for the same so cheap that it has now become the most popular pastime.,

Speaking at the Southhridge Bowling Club dinner on Thursday. Mr R. Heaton Rhodes,. M.P;, said out touching on. party politics, I maybe excused for saying a word on coalition. The suggestion off coalition has not come from the Opposition, in spite of what -has been said to the contrary. The Opposition being numerically small, is not in a position to gotothe Government and demand term?.. The report that the suggestion has come from the Opposition is not true.. Mr James Allen has recently been taken to task for suggesting coalition, but the report of hid speech; does not bear out any' such suggestion. Mr Allen stated that if after the next General Election a strong Opposition was returned, and a third party held the balance of power, and the Leader of the Government Party approached Mr Massey, the Opposition might be ready to assist..""

In connection wifch the statement that Presbyterian ministers are underpaid, Mr Robert Ward writes in the Otago "Daily Times"' giving the stipends baid by various congregations in the Dominion :?--St. John's, Wellington, £7OO per annum; St. Andrew's, Wellington, £500;. Kent Terrace, Wellington, £4OO/; Gi&i borne, £350; St. David's, £350; St. Andrew's,. Auckland. £350; Remuera,Napier, £350; Palmerston North, £350; Waiiganui, £450; St. James', Auckland, £300; Dawera, £300; total for the North Island,. £4,710. First Church, Dunedin, £650; St. Andrew's, Dunedin, £SOO;,St Paul's, Oamaru,. £400; St. Paul's, lnvercarigll, £400; Tokomairiro,, £300; East Taieri, £300; Winton,, £300; North-East Valley, £30.0';; South Dunedin, £3CO; Port Chalmers, £3OO. Total for the South Island, £4,825. "It will be seen,"' Mr Ward says,, "in comparing the figures of Otago and the North Island that, with practically similar stipends, Otago gave as aid to institutions and Home Missions £3 for every £.l paid in the North." Dr Arthur, the President of the Imperial Immigration League of Australasia, has received from a farmer in Scotland a letter, in which the writer urges strongly that Australia should open local offices in Scotland, if she wished to get immigrants from that country. He en- ' closes a cutting from his local paper, which contains advertisements from Rhodesiau and Canadian agents. The > British South Africa Company announces that it has opened in Glasgow "a land settlement and information office for Scotland, where inquiries can be made regardingRhodesia. A comprehensive display of the agricultural, mineral, and other products of Rhodesia, are shown, and the public are cordially invited to visit the new office." Canada heads its advertisement, "Important to farm servants in Crieff and district," and goes on to say: "The Canadian Government Agent (late of Perthshire) will be in this district for a week for the purpose of giving information about Canada." The writer states that Australia cannot hope to obtain the right class of Immigrants if she seeks to carry on her immigration campaign from central offices in London through private agents who are paid a capitation grant. Condi! Cough! Cough! Don't couch. Tako TUSSICUEA.. Soothes the inflamed membrane. Soothing and healing. IsCd, 2s6d.

A new Polar expedition, to be aided fby balloon detachments stationed at various points, is being equipped 'under the auspices of the Russian of Marine, with the object '■of discovering a north-east passage between the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Ac-ording to a letter received from London, at the last meeting of the Auckland Women's Political League, ■detailing work done by the Women's .Social and Political Union, a lady fro-n Canterbury, New Zealand, was .among the last party of suffragettes •who went to prison for the cause.The Hon. James McGowan met With an accident while boarding the steamer Waikare at Gisborne. There was a good swell in the bay, and the tender rolled considerably. In •jrett'n* from the tender to the Wai"kare the Minister got one of his feet jammed by *.he gangway, and the injury is causing him to limp about. He had a narrow escape from losing ) his foot. Among the gifts that have reached the hands of the Dunedin treasurer .of the China Inland Mission are a ► ebecfde for £IOO and a watch and • chain from a friend, who wrote: "I am not able to send a donation, as I hjjve not been prospered with much of' this world's goods. However, I ■ take the liberty to forward my watch and chain." ; The increasing cost of living was • discussed at the last meeting of the Women's Political League, Auckland, ■■ and it was decided to ask the Government to take steps to break up any existing monopolies or combines which have the effect of raising or keeping up the price of coal, bread, or any of the other necessaries of life. The Secretary of the Royal Humarje ; Society of New Zealand has received an application for recognition of the bravery of Percy Prebble, a Blen-, heim schoolboy, 14 years of age, who rescued a boy named George Herd from drowning in the Taylor River, on February 11th. Herd had sunk twice when Prebble jumped in and • caught him under the armpits and pushed him ashore in front of him. Herd was unconscious when rescued. The depth of the water was from nine to ten feet. We want an Earl of Meath in every portion of the Empire to hcilp to awaken the dormant spirits to remind us of wJiat -we owe to the . Eknpire, and to -.impress upon us the act that ii 1% this spirit which mainly holds uas together and makes the strength of the Empire, says the "Tarana'ki Herald," Armie3 ■ and navies, commercial ties and preferential tariffs all are insignificant compared with the invisible bond; the thin red line, which binds Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and other outlying portions of the Empire to' the* Mother Country, and each of those to the others.

Mr W.. F. Mas»ey, Leader of the Opposition, in addressing a meeting at DargaviHe,i said that the cut':r?spoken briticism of the Opposition last session had helped to Save the freehold from the Land Bills, which he stigmatised as iniquitous. The . Land Bill that was on the statutebook was different from Mr ,Mc-

NaVs. The Bill with a renewable lease was a pratext—a sham to please the socialistic element. He did not believe socialism was possible in this country, nor in any British community. Liberalism and socialism were not synonymous terms. Tliu Native Lands; Commission was absolute nonsense, and unnecessary. All information should have been in the hands of the M'nister long ago. Realising that it presented an admirable opportunity of drawing attention to the resources of Australia, the Immigration League of .Australasia (Has sent an article dealing with the visit of the Scottish fishermen to Australia to the newspapers of all the •towns in England and Scotland where 'fishing is the staple industry. This ■article states how high an opinion the visiting fishermen have formed ■of the possibilities of tho Australian /.fisheries, and especially those of New South Wale", and points out 'what openings offer for enterprising men. In no case, however, are fishermen invited to come at once to Australia, but they are asked tb open up 'communications with the league at its Sydney office, when further and mora definite information will be {provided.

A report from Dargavilla states that during a heayy thunderstorm "which passed over the northern W,airoa a number of men had a sensational experience at Aoroa. Shortly before three p.m. half a dozen men were taking shelter under the verandah of business premises near the mill tramway when a flash of lightning appeared to strike the wheels • of a truck near by, causing a deafer - ... ing report. One of the men present related his experience as follows: " "The lightning 3eemed to strika the truck and glsnce into our midst. I was sitting on a bag of wood and was dragged to the ground, being 7 rendered unconscious. My leg and back were badly bruised and blackened for some inches, and my son * was knocked through the door of the billiard room. The Government telephone wire was severed and black- ■ ened for some yards." The Hospital authorities in Sydney * complain that some persons abuse the privileges, of their institutions by ■■• gaining admission to the wards wheii they are in a position to pay for medical attendance outside. Recently ■ a case came before the board of •directors of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, who considered at length the advisableneas of taking legal The secretary states that the patient (a woman) represented herself on admission as the wife of • a labourer residing in a poor part of the city, who received wage? of 30s a week, out of which a sum of 14s per week was paid for rent. She gave other details, it is alleged, as to the family's poverty. Subsequently information having been received as to. the incorrectness of her statements, the woman admitted that she had fabricated the story to procure admission, and that she was the wife of a person who was in such a position as .{[ft be quite, able to pay for her medical attendance. The board decided that in , this case, it would take no steps beyond discharging the woman from the hospital, but that in any future cases of the kind drastic action would be taken. TUSSIOTJEA cures coughs and colds at once. Stops the tickle and affords easy expectoration. All stores.

There will be a substantial increase in the. wheat area in New South Wales this year.

A considerable number of rabbit exporters in Southland suddenly ceased operations last week. They state (says the "Gore Standard") that the Home market is over-supplied, and also that the bad handling of New Zealand rabbits, compared with Australia, has had a detrimental effect.

In concluding the third of three lengthy articles in the "Auckland Star" on "Medical Fees," in which he deals with many difficulties with which doctors have to contend, Dr R. M Bakewell says:-—"I say, deliberately and seriously, that if some supreme power could offer me my youth and life over again on c6ndition of following the medical profession, 1 would prefer immediate death. I have not brought up any of my sons to the profession. At the last meeting of the Auckland fHeadmasters' Association, the Question of the importation of teachers from England was discussed, and it was unanimously resolved to write to the Board of Education, stating that the Association deprecates the proposal made by the Director of Technical Education to import an instructress in sewing, and is strongly of opinion that teachers of sewing, as well as of kindred subjects, can be obtained in the Dominion. The same subject was referred to at a meeting of the Women's Political League, and it was decided to protest strongly against the suggestion to bring a sewing teacher from Home, there being hundreds of women in the Dominion competent to fill the position,

In connection with the continued agitation for the retention of the present electoral boundaries in the South Island, a statement recently made by Dr. Chappie, who has been elected member for Tuapeka, is of interest. He refeired to the fact that the electorate would cease to exist unless prompt and strenuous measures were taken by members at the opening of the coming session to retain the existing boundaries/ He felt sure this could be done, for he knew that 46 members were pledged to this course, and about 15 more could be secured, and if the Southern Opposition members- were approached, with a view to treat the question as a non-party one, a short Bill would be pr.ssed through Parliament during the coming sesson, and the electorate would be retained. The present suppression of an important electorate, and the establishment of a new one so geographically distorted, was insufferable, and he pledged himself to spare no effort to alter this *tato of things if returned to Parliament.

An advertiser seeks board and resinear the Post Office. Messrs Cochrane and Butement have for Sale a first-class farm of 500 acres. The Rechabite Tent will meet at 7.30 for the winter months. To-night will be a "pound" night. An advertiser has for sale a profitable book and stationery business in a growing inland town. Particulars of several Queensland properties are advertised by Mr W. H. Cruickshank, land agent, Masterton. Mr Alfred Perry, land agent, Hunterville, advertises particulars of several handy-sized farms placed in his hands for sale.

Fresh tenders will be received at the Public Works Office until noon on Tuesday, Juiy 7th, for the erection, in brick, of a post office at Featheraton.