LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9129, 30 June 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

While Mrs Hardy, a resident of Manukau road, Parnell, was lifting her husband out of bed, yesterday morning, says an Auckland Press Association telegram, Mr Hardy expired. Mrs Hardy dropped dead almost immediately afterwards. The cause of death was presumably heart disease in both cases. Mr Hardy had been an invalid for years.

According to the Pahiatua paper, the roads in and around Pongarna are now as bad as ever, and vehicular traffic is only conducted with the greatest difficulty. From Mangatiti to Pungaroa the road is a veritable quagmire, being axle deep. The township of Pongaroa is a sea of mud, and the state of the approaches to the Post Office is a positive disgrace. The Makuri-Pongaroa coach has oeased running.

There was a large attendance at the Y.M.C.A., last evening, to hear Mr J. Cole's paper on "The Aim and Objects of Modern Socialism." Mr Cole gave the views of Socialism as not being opposed to individualism, but rather to lessen the wide gulf between poverty and wealth, by a graduated income tax and other progressive measures, which took superfluous wealth from one for the benefit of the other. Mr John Hunter ppoke a few words in support of his last address, and complimented Mr Cole on his piper, which clearly proved that he had given much study and thought in the writing of it. In a debate which followed Messis L. Daniell, R. Rigg, W. Bennett and Jas. Kemp spoke against Socialism, while Mr D. Hebsnton, A. P. Fielding and E. Flanagan upheld the views of modern Socialism. Mr A. G. Wise occupied the chair. The meeting pas-sed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Cole.

The quarterly summoned meeting of the Magterto'i Oddfallows Lodge was held last evening, there being a large attendance of members. Bro. R. Buxton occupied the chair. Two new members were duly initiated into the Order, Bro. E. McCord, G.M., acting, as Initiating Master. Three friends were also proposed for admittance. A hearty welcome was extended to one of the oldest members of.the Masterton Lodge, viz., Bro. Wm. Peart, who for a number of years ha-3 resided in the Voodville district, and the Brother was accorded Lodge honours. It was decided to pay a fraternal visit to the Heart of Oak Lodge (Carterton) on Wednesday eveiing, July Bth, and it was further decided that those members who arc willing to make the visit should attend at the Post Office on that evening, at 6.45 o'clock. 'lhe election of officers, for which there were a number nominated for the various offices, resulted as follows:—G.M., Bro. R.Buxton; N.G., Bro., J. Bell; V.G., Brj. W. S. Lett; E.S., Bro. Wm Hawkc; W., Bro. Leaderman; G., Bro. J. Kus-

sell. The receipts for the evening amounted to £4O 2s 3d.

A succession ot colds or protracted cold ■is almost curtain to end in chronic catarrh, I'r >ui which i'ow persons ever wholly recover. Give every cold the attention it deserves and you may avoid this 'disagreeable disease How can you cure a cold F Why not try Chamberlain's Cough Remedy ?It is highly recommended. For sale by all Chemists and Storekeepers.

For Bronchial Coughs take Woods' J reat Peppermint Cure ] ,'G and 2/6.

A horse was sold at the Carterton Pound on Saturday for two shillings.

Mr J. McPherson has been appointed custodian of the Greytown Hospital. Mr J. T. M. Hornsby has stated, Says the Greytown "Standard," that steps are soon to be taken to remove the Maori Meeting House, at Hikawera, into Martinborough. To-morrow the closing of hotels in the Masterton Licensing District at 10 p.m. comes into fore, as decided upon at the last annual meeting of the Licensing Bench.

The next meeting of the Y.M.C.A. Parliament (to lake place next week) is to be in committee. The younger members of the Society are invited to give papers and essays. The Wairarapa Hockey Association have decided to send a representative team to play matches' at Wanganui, Horowhenua and Wellington. The matches will probably Le played early in August.

A special meeting of the Ground Committee ot the Masterton A. and P. Association will be held on Saturday, when some important special business in connection with roading Solvvay ground is to be discussed.

The Elite Skating Rink, above the Motor Garage in Cbapel Street, was well patronised last evening. The number of patrons increases nightly, and last evening an enjoyable time was spent by those present. The entries for the practical examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music will close on Wednesday, July Ist, with the hon. local representative (Mr A. B. Wallace).

A special general meeting of members of the Masterton A. and P. Association is to be held to-morrow, when several important alterations to the rules are to be submitted for discussion by the General Committee of the Association.

The next m jet of the hounds in connection with the Wairarapa Hunt Club will take place on Saturday at Blairlogie. There is expected to be a good number of members present at the hunt. Several Masterton riders intend make the the trip. ;

A plan for a new fire station was submitted to the annual meeting of the Masterton Fire Board last evening by Mr C. G. Monro, architect. The Board inspected the plan, and decided to inform Mr Monro that should a new station be erected his plan would receive due consideration. The case for the Drovers and Shepherds' Union in its dispute with the employers of Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay is to be conducted by Mr W. H. Westbrooke. The Conciliation Board meets at Masterton on July 15th, and at Hastings on July 17th to hear evidence concerning the matter. Many Upper Plain farmers, in fact nearly all, have already finished their winter ploughing and sowing. This is the earliest sowing season on record for many years. This time last year the sowing for the main crop had not been commenced. "It is a wonderful growing season, "remarked one farmer to a.n Age reporter yesterday. "We have oats over a foot above t-ie ground already. The spring prospects for the harvest are indeed excellent." A meeting was held in the Board Roam of the Y.M C.A. last evening for the purpose of forming a Young Ladies' No-license Auxiliary There was a good attendance, and enthusiasm was shown in regard to the objects of the League. Officers were elected as follows: President, Miss Church; Vice-president, Miss Pearson; Secretary, Miss Burton. The first mesting of the League will be held next Monday night, when a full attendance of all interested is requested. Some very good work is being done by the Borough staff in Masterton just now with the road machinery. The versatile steam roller, which is a practically noiseless and a verypowerful engine, was engaged, yesteidiy, in hauling the steam plough along the part of Queen Street being graded near Renall Street terminus, and its operations in this respect entail a considerable saving of labrour in pick work. The newly-graded portion of Queen Street should possess the best foundation of any road or portion of road at prsstnt in the borough. A case of a nature which—ascord,ing to Mr Justice Danniston—the Probation Act was framed to meat, came before the Wellington Supreme Court, yesterday morning. The defendant was Wm. James Edward Ashdown, a youth of 16 years and 10 months of age, who was charged with having stolen a letter containing two ten-pound notes. Mr E. Page, 'of Eketahuna, appeared for the prisoner, and applied to have him admitted to probation. According to counsel, the lad left school 18 months ago. ;llis mother was postmistress at a small office at Atea, near Eketahuna. He took the lettei' on one occasion when he was looking after the place. In a statement obtained from him by the police, he admitted the offence, and subsequently he returned £9 3s of the stolen money. Counsel said he wished to make it clear that the boy was not a public official; he committed the offence in his private capacity. The Crown reported that the lad had respectable parents and bore a good character. His Honor said there was considerable difference between the prisoner and a person in public trust. He reprimanded the prisoner for his conduct, and admitted him to probation for twtlve months. Mr Fell appeared for the Crown. A GKEA.T SALE. The D. I. C, intimit s that its Great Winter Clearing Sale, openiug'on the 20th. will probably eclipse all previous efforts of that kind. The stock this winter is especially rich and full, and the winder it Wellngton has;been exceptionally mild and dry. The Company makes it a rule to cany no stock to ■l, now season; so that prices at this sale ire carefully calculated to make, the clearance thorough. On fashion goods there will be, reductions of 25 to 50 per cent. The company persistently strosses the fact that it carries no old stock. The goods offered ore all of the latest fashion and the highest quality that can be obtained in tho best markets. People always need drapery and clothing and in this country, where the cost of living is so much discussed and deplored, the opportunity of a great sale at tho D.I.C. 'is one that prudent people cannot afford to let slip.

m m .1 Him .i»iwjwiiimi»mmwwiiumm«ww<wwmmmwmwF "I recognise no aristocracy in labour," said a speaker at a meeting of the Christehureh Tramway Union. "One man is as good as another, and sometimes a jolly sight better."

A slump in the grain market at the Bluff has caused consignments to be withheld. Consignments which arrive, instead of being shipped, are now being stored.

The North Island is not the only, part of the Dominion where land is bringing high prices. A resident of the Forty-mile Bush has purchased a property at Ellesmere (Canterbury) at £32 per acre.

It is understood that the Oamaru North School has been selected by the. Government to represent New Zealand in the Imperial Cadets shooting match. This school's team won the-. South Island Primary School's Cadet Shield last year.

A Press Association telegram from. Gore states that a boy, between four and five years of age, son of Edward Byron, of Mataura, climbed up on; to a mantelpiece and swallowed; Borne iron pills and died, despite the -'- afforts of the doctor. Jfr~" A horse which was valued by owner, Mr Rice, at £SU, was de-F slroyed at Clarkville last week. w \. Some boys tied a kerosene tin to the horse's tail, and in its effort to free" itself it dashed into a fence andi broke its back.

The epidemic of scarlatina, colds,, etc., is slAl making itself felt inh Dannevirke "(says the "Press"), ans the attendance at some of the schools, is seriously affected. The North School has been closed for three weeks, on account.of the complaint.;

The Railway Department does not intend to use any more birch sleepers as experience has proved that they are not durable enough. The life of a birch sleeper is not longer than four or five years. The wood is too dense to absorb creosote, the preservative used by the department in the case of softer New Zealand timbers.

Mr W. Wilson, who started oi t. from Christchurch to walk round the world, was asked in Timaru why he undertook such an enterprise, which had not even the merit of novelty. He answered (says the "Press") that it was "for a wager-of £5,000," the money to be found by three <rc. four Christchurch men. "I get It* • certain proportion of the bet if I succeed." A special meeting of the Fire Police was held last evening, Captain Dixon presiding over a good attendance of members. A complimentary ticket was received from the Featherston Fire Brigade for the Brigade's annual social. Constable Stringer was appointed to represent the Fire Police at the function. Constable C. Fielding was presented byCaptain Dixon with a long service medal for live years' continuous service. A complaint is made in tho"Hobart Post" of an exodus of the flower of Tasmanian youth to New Zealand. "Our best young bushmen," the paper states, "have taken their departure for New Zealand, allured there by the good wages offered. It seems a pity that we should lose some of our best lads lor tho betterment of New Zealand. It is alwaya New Zealand that they go to, which makes us think there must be something in its being quite the paradise of the working man." Chinese nomenclature was touched 1 , upon at the meeting of the Charitable; Aid Board, at Dunedin, on Thursday,, when the secretary pathetically? stated that certain correspondence, received had caused him to under«a brief but tiresome study of ChinßKL He had discovered that Chinamln were frequently spoke,n of by their " Christian" names as distinct fromi their surnames, which often led to. duplication hi returns for charitable aid. Ah Foo and Ah Ching, for instance, were only "Christian" names, "Ah" being merely a prefix. "Quite so," assented a member, "just like our 'mister.' " ■ The-Auckland correspondent of a Wellington paper writes: —"Plenty, Taihoa" has generally been the attitude of Auckland farmers towards any suggestion of co-operation for. trading purposes such as has led to the formation of the powerful farmers' trading co-operations in the Wairarapa, Canterbury, and Otago;; but Mr J. Flanagan, of Drury, ttilL has hopes, and on Friday at the.Farmers' Union meeting he tabled a notice of motion for the settingup of a special committee to consider the question of a scheme for co-operation for trading purposes amongst the members of the. Farmers* Union. The full list of entries for the ni**.,., nual Show of the Masterton Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association has not yet been compiled, as a few outside entries posted have not yet come' ,tu hand. The secretary states, however, that everything points to a show quite as successful, if not more* jm so, as last year's. Tickets for ad-tt mission to the Show, which also enJ titles the holder to participation in the art union, are selling off freely. The prizes in the art union are of ant especially/valuable nature this year» including as they do.nuggets of gold of a substantial value and some' very fine pictures. J,These are now on view in the secretary's (Mr G. Hyde's) establishment in Queen Street.

Some little while ago Mr Robert Gibb, now Inspector of Apiaries, but formerly a school teacher with a decided leaning towards' natural his* tory, told a somewhat incredulous, body of savants., through the columns of the " Wyndham Farmer," that the, native rat of New Zealand was not: an extinct animal, as was generally supposed to be the case. He declared that he had seen the little rodents nibbling the roots and climbing trees in the native bush surrounding the school at Haldane, in the Waikawa district, and within half a mile of the sea coast, over which school he then presided. Mr Robert Hamilton, who resides in that district, corroborates Mr Gibb's statement, aAd declares that he has seen these an&nals frequently in the bush. They are, he says, of a light grey in colour, and in shape resembling a cross between the common rat and a mouse.

Woods' Groat Peppermint Cure for Coughs and Colds never fails. 1 /6 aud^Jj

A seven-year-old bullock, weighing 2,6351b, was slaughtered by Messrs *airey Bro*,, butchers, of Nelson, last week. He had been a prize-winner in Otago and Canterbury. His weight after dressing was 1,8501b. The fat on his buck was a foot thick. The train which leaves Woodville at 2.40 and arrives at Palmerston at 3.45 ran into a slip between the first two tunnels at the Woodville end of the Gorge on Saturday afternoon. The engine and two trucks left the line. The passengers were scared, but none were hurt. The slip was of considerable dimensions, and took till midnight to clear. The passengers walked round the slip. A Canterbury settler, on a visit to Masterton, informed a Wairarapa Age reporter, yesterday, that in parts of his district there has not been even yet sufficient rain for agricultural purposes, and farmers are anticipating a dry winter such as that experienced two years ago. He states that the sub-soil has not yet been . penetrated, and if a post-hole has to be dug, the crowbar plays by far the most conspicuous part in the work. There is a considerable amount of speculation in Auckland grain circles at the present time as to whether there is any risk attached to the admission of a large consignment of maize infected by the angoumois grain moth early last week. A local grain expert, on being seen by a "Herald" representative, however, made a reassuring statement.on the subject. Consignments of grain so infected, he explained, had been admitted into New Zealand before, but the insect had not been found to live. Still he thought it advisable that all precautionary measures should be taken until it was ascertained definitely whether the insect was likely to breed, and in this connection he instanced the case of the Colorado beetle scare. When it was first discovered that grain infected with this beetle was being admitted it was thought that it would spell ruin for the crops of the country, but such was not the case. As it ultimately turned out it was found thar the beetle did not breed here, and he thought that the same would apply to the fresh arrival. "Rather an amusing story is going the rounds concerning Rua, the Maori prophet," says the "Whakatane Times." "On June 2lßt he communicated the solemn fact to his followers that during the night a vision appeared to him and he was told that he was to take unto himself another wife; but if the first wife was not agreeable to the proposal, he should be taken up to heaven. On seeking the first wife's permission to annex another damsel, she was up in arms at once, and stoutly refused; and when he mentioned what would hap-1 pen to him if she didn't grant him permission, she told him to go to heaven as quickly as he could. He got his followers to intercede for him, but the old dame was obdurate. For four days he locked himself up in his room, and on the morning of the fifth day he was seated on the verandah of his house wrapped in a sheet, and weeping bitterly. Soon his followers were around him, crying with joy to E63 him back, as they thought, from heaven. On being questioned, Rua toll them that he had been given perto remain if he wished. His followers immediately subscribed a purse of sovereigns to persuade him to remain, which he consented to do." A young man seeks pusition as engine driver. \ An advertiser requires furniaheJ or unfurnished rooms. An advertiser requires a furnished bedroom. Messrs J. Graham and Co. announce further reductions during ' the last week of their sale. "Value" is the watchword at the sale of drapery and clothing now proceeding at Mr P. HamiU's. The boot and •faj.cy department of the W.F.C.A. are offering still further reductions during tho last week of the sale. Mr A. A. Sfcempa inserts a notice of thanks for the support accirdad to him, and solicits a continuance of the same for his successors. The time for receiving tenders fcr shop fittings for Gray Bros.' new buildings has been extended to 5 o'clock on Friday, July'3rp Messrs Hendry and Buxton will commence their half yearly sale tomj.row (Wednesday), when the whole of their first-class stock will be offered to the public at bargain prices.

The success of the drapery sale has induced the management of the W.F.C.A. to continue the sale up to the and of the present week, when a lot,of lines will be offered at absolute ba^gainsprice 6 *. At the Maaterton auction Mart, on Saturday next, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Messrs W, T. Benefield and Sons, the well-known nurserymen, of Ararnoho, Wanganui, a fine selection of fruit trees and . plants. Further particulars will he advertised later. Messrs T. Dwyer and Co., of the "Talkeries," have jutt received their April list of records. Last evening a recital of the new numbers was given, which was listened to by a large and appreciative audience. Clients are invited to call and hear a trial of new records. At the residence, Jeati street, tomorrow, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Mrs Crichton, who is leaving Maaterton, the whole of the furniture and effects. The various.lines comprise a good selection of household furnishings, which are in firstclass order. Everything will be sold •without reserve. Messrs Lee and Boxhall announce that they have purchased the butchery business recently in the occupation of Mr A. A. Stempa. The new firm will continue to supply, first-class meat delivered regularly to their cilents in any part of the town. The ■ partners are enterprising young men, anxious to build up n good and permanent business in this community, and intend to leave no stone unturned to secure a fair share of public support. Mr C. F. E. Livosay, Architect of Wt» lington. has moved to more eonvenienrooms in the National Mutual Chambers, Customhouse Quay, (adjoining the Head iflce of the Bank of N.Z.) Address— P.0.80x 771. Telephone 2692.

Two revolutionaries against pociety, highway persons, not militant Socialists, have been making Kaikoura folk uneasy lately. Two bonrs, wearying of man's restraint, decided on a life of adventure. They chose a muchfrequented road, and put pedestrians through some lively paces. There were some fast races, but with fear in their feet the human beings won. "The pigs charged several persons on Sunday, and appeared very savage," reports the "Kaikoura Star." "Iho ranger endeavoured to take the brutes to the pound, but they charged his horse and generally played 'Old Harry,' and nothing would shift them." In the course of their detailed report objecting to the regulation of hours and wages submitted by the Board of Conciliation at Christchurch in the farm labourers' dispute, the employers' representatives s'ate: — "As regards preference, it was stated that there were about 1,500 farm workers on the membership roll of the union, while it was estimated that there were from 15,000 to 16,000 in the wholf of Canterbury. The union's rules showed that the union wps a close corporation, and could therefore exclude from its membership whomsoever it pleased, and that many men, including small farmers'who owned land, but who also worked for other farmers, and who would not be eligible for membership of the union, would, if a preference clause were granted, be debarred trom employment. It was also shown that a farmer might, under such a clause, be compelled to take into his household men of undesirable character, and that any provision for preference would be wholly unworkable and detrimental to the industry." The workers' representatives, dealing with the same subject, stated:—"ln regard to the clause dealing »'ith preference, to unionists in the Board's report, we would impress upon the Court the absolute need of preference being given to unionists oh account of the bitterness and resentment that has been shown to unionism by nearly every employer throughout the hearing of this case."