LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3029, 28 October 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A match was fired at Nireaha on Saturday last between the Alfredton and lararua Rifle Clubs, and resulted in a win for the latter by 28 points. The scores were:—Tararua, 594; Alfredton, 565. A very enjoyable social and dance in aid of the Nireaha School funds was held in the Nireaha Public Hall on Friday evening. Mr Huckstep was M.C., and the music was supplied by Messrs Conder, S. Smith, J. Daysh, Miss Narby, and Mesdarnes Hardyrnent and Daysh. Such an excellent spring as the present one has never before been experienced in the Nireaha district, stated a settler to a Wairarapa Age reporter yesterday. There is a plentiful supply of grass, and the supply of milk from dairy herds is increasing daily. The supply of milk to the Nireaha dairy factory is getting well on towards a record, the splendid weather of late having resulted in a considerably larger quantity of milk being forwarded to the factory than is usually the case at this time of the year. Tho Masterton Lawn Tennis Club will open its season on Saturday afternoon, weather permitting. A good muster of members is antici pated. Afternoon tea will be dispensed. The Club has an increased membership this year, and promises to have a most successful season. The cuurts are in capital order. The installation of a street fire alarm system for the Borough was a matter discussed by the Masterton, Fire Board yesterday, at which the local members only were present, presided over by the Chairman (Mr 0. Pragnell). Jt was decided to call for tenders for the system, the secretary (Mr R. Brown) to prepare the specifications. A fair area of grain has Deen put down this season on that part of the Bishop's reserve in the occupation of Mr C. Wagland. Mr Wagland has sown sixty acres iri wheat and ninety in oats. This land ia noted for its cereal bearing qualities, although it is stated that something in the soil makes it rater unsuitable for potato raising, and unless the tubers are well fertilised the crop is below an average one. The weather in Masterton yesterday took a decidedly cold turn early in the afternoon. The morning was cloudless and warm, ensuing on a rather severe frost for so late in the year. At 2 o'clock a driving southerly brought heavy showers, which were maintained off and on for several hours. With the Carterton Show today and to-morrow, and the Opaki races to-morrow and Friday, there are many fervent desires for a settled clearance of rain storms. At a special meeting of the Gas Committee of the Masterton Borough Council, held at the Council Chambers on Wednesday, October 14th, at which there were present Crs Elliott, Ewington, llaughey, and Pragnell, on the suggestion of the Manager, the Committea decided to recommend that 132 tons of eight-inch cast iron turned and bored mains at £4 16s per ton f.o.b. Glasgow, and also five tons of pig lead be cabled for. Last evening the Council adopted the recommendation. Ludios trom the Wairarapa when visiting Wellington would bo wise to inspect the grand range of New Summer Hats on view at Mrs Matliewson's. The ! stylos are exclusive, the designs perfect, and the prices right. Please remember that the address is Melbourne House, Lanibton Quay (opposite Ba-"k of Now Zealand).

The blight has made its appearance among the potato crops of the Otaki iistrict. Other vegetables, however, are looking well. The amount collected in Masterton in connection with the Salvation Army's Self-denial Week was £l7O. Carterton contributed £l7l, Dannevirke £l2O, Pahiatua £9O and Woodville £7O. Superintendent Jenkins, of the Masterton Fire Brigade, submitted a report to the Masterton Fire Board yesterday on the recent fire in the Perry Estate block of buildings, in which Messrs J. Rankin and A. Henderson's premises were damaged. As a result of the report, it was decided to inform the owners that tne brick wall near which thd fire originated should be raised in height, as it was on account of its being as low as it is that Mr Henderson's shop was affected by the fire. The following Masterton butchers have signed a requisition to be presented to the Minister for Labour asking that the hours of closing for butchers in Masterton be fixed at times set out in the petition : Messrs Lee and Boxhall, Ogilvy and Son, Holloway and Son, W. Morris and Son, H. J. Stinsoi. The hours specified are as foliow:—Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 5p.m.; Thursdays, 1 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 p.m. Last night the Borough Council authorised the Mayor to certify that the signatures to the petition represented a majority of the butchers in the town.

Great excitement prevailed at Hukanui on Friday afternoon, writes a correpsondent of the "Eketahuna Express." Two youths saw a man in the bush, near Drummond's old mill, running up and down a log clothed only in a shirt, and bellowing as if insane. The boys gave the alarm, and a search party was instituted, but no tra'ie of the man could be found. Constable Grey was rung up and he proceeded to the spot, where he interviewed the youths and made other enquiries. The boys aver their story is correct, and the affair still remains a mystery. Johanna Cosgrove, alias Moore, appeared before Messrs R. Brown and Eli Smith, J.'sP., at the Master ton Police Court yesterday morning, charged with the theft of several articles from the shop of Mrs Saba, in Queen Street. Informant and her husband stated that accused secreted the articles while making purchases in the shop, and on the police being sent for she was found in possession of them. Accused denied the charge in an emphatic manner, declaring she was given in charge because she refused to purchase goods shown to her. Several previous convictions for vagrancy were recorded against accused, who was sentenced to fourteen days' imprisonment. At the same sitting two first offending inberiates —one a woman—were convicted}! and dis-