LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3048, 19 November 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At 9 o'clock this morning, Mr Eli Smith, J.P., and the Electoral officers for the Masterton electorate, s commence the scrutiny of the voting papers for the Masterton electorate, which will take place at the Dominion Hall. Mr H. W. Pownall has been appointed scrutineer for the License party, and Mr Jabez Bridges for the No-License party. A meeting of - the General Com • mittee in connection with the forthcoming Catholic Bazaar was held last evening for the purpose of appointing sub-committees. Various details -were attended to and the following sub-committees were setup:—Committee for erection lof stall and decorating hall, Messrs F. Haughey, A. McEwen, T. McCracken, H. J. Cassin, and W. Redmond; advertising and printing committee, Rev. Dean McKenna and Messrs M. C. O'Connell, J. Bradbury and J. R- Dunn. The engaging of a band for the week of the Bazaar was left in the hands of Mr F. Haughey. Ladies Iroui the VVairarapa when visiting Wellington would be wise to nspect the grand range of New Summer Hats on view at Mrs Mathewson's. The styles are exclusive, the designs perfect, and the prices right.' Please remember that the address is Melbourne House, Lambton Quay (opposite Back of New Zealand).

A number of witnesses and members of the local police force went to Wellington yesterday to attend the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court, which will open to-day Several Masterton cases are to be heard.

Great interest is centred in the scrutiny of the ballot papers of the Masterton election, which will take place to day. All sorts of rumours were current in town yesterday as to the majority for No-license, some asserting tint it had been reduced to two. As a matter of fact no alteration could possibly have been made until after the scrutiny to-day, unless a mistake had been made in adding up the figures, and this, of course, had not occurred. Yesterday several members of the No-License party went carefully through the telegraphed returns, and checked the figures, an 3 it is now considered by them that there will be nearly a clear majority of 50 for No-License. The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club on Tuesday commenced a series of races from northern points, the southern races having been completed with the race from Nelson last Week. On Tuesday 25 birds, representing eight loits, were liberated from WoodViHe at X o'clock, and the winding bird arrived just 55 . minutes later, having attained a velocity of ]6oß| yards per minute, the second bird being only a few seconds later, the velocity of the latter being only half a yard per minute less, tha others being close up. The winner was Mr W. Dowling's "Jubilee," the second bird Mr H. Lett's "Serf li," Mr W. Hoar's "North Mail" being third. Mr A. E. Wilton was judge. The birds were kindly liberated by the Woodville stationmaster, to whom the Club are indebted for the service.

A little f\r\, nine years of age, was shockingly burnt in the playground of a public school at Newcastle (New South Wales) last week. While some papers were baing burnt in the school yard during luncheon hour, the child approached too near the fire, and her clothes caught alight. Two of the teachers Misses Snowden and Colier, rushed to her aid, but the inflammable dress which the little girl was wearing blazed up all over her. The screams attracted the attention of a young man named Roy Adams, who ran in, and, pulling off his coat, wrapped it around her. As soon as possible the child was taken to the hospital, where she died a few hours later. She had been burnt from the knees upward, and suffered severely. The two teachers, when trying to extinguish the flames, also received burns about the hands and arms.

It is possible that in the near future the mono-rail gyroscope.car.the invention of Mr Louis Brennan, of torpedo fame, will become an important adjunct to racecourse equipment. The inventor is brother to Mr Joseph Brennan, official stenographer to the V.R.C., and the latter has written requesting him to construct a car with a seating capacity for half a dozen men, the vehicle to run on an elevated rail fixed on the outer edge of the racetrack, or inside the running rail, the vehicle to travel at the same speed as horses in a race. In this "chariot of observation" the stewards would be seated, and thus from start to finish of a race would have the movements of horses and riders under their immediate notice. Mr Louis Brennan n now under contract to the Indian Government to instal a gyroscope and mono-rail outfit for a track of 100 miles in length, and when that is completed he may devote his attention to the "chariot of observation" suggested by his brother.

The depression in the timber trade, reported from Invercargill, is not likely to be experienced in the Northern industry. The decision of Invercargill sawmillers to reduce the output by at least one-third, and close down the milld on December sth, is attributed by one leading Auckland sawmiller tp the large importation of Oregon to such places as Dunedin, Christchurch, and Lyttelton, which formerly ware large customers for the rimu timber supplied by the Invercargill yards. It is admitted that the Auckland sawmilling trade is not quite so good as it was, but several of the large firms have a good many orders on their books at the present time. It must also be recollected that Auckland is the centre of the kauri timber industry, and kauri, being one of the best timbers in the world, is always in demand. So long as kauri is available in the district there will be no great depression in the Auckland timber market. It is prophesied, however, that in ten years' tima kauri will no longer be available. A young woman named Ruth L2O, 19 years of age, living with her married sister in Riley Street, Surrey Hills, at Sydney, died a few days ago as the lesult of strychnine poisoning. It is alleged that the strychnine was wrongly supplied from a chemist's shop. The unfor tunate young woman, who was suffering from neuralgia, visited the chemist's shop. The chemist, being in bed; sent his wife and son —a lad of 17years—to fulfil the order, telP ing them to give the customer 10 grains of quinine. On reaching the shop the mother, it is alleged, pointed to a bottle on the shelf and instructed the lad to measure the re- , quired quantity. It is alleged fiat ;he followed her directions, and the 1 girl departed. On arrival at her ; home she mixed a dose, and shortly 'afterwards was seized with violent ! pains. Medical aid was summoned, but the girl died in great agony. It was then discovered that she had taken strychnine. The police were called in, and the body was removed to the morgue. Mrs Kirk, the wife of the chemist, and her son were arrested. They were subsequently released on bail. Mr. W. G. Wockner, Toowoomba, Queensi land, writes .-Chamberlain's Cough Remedy is an excellent Remedy. I have been suffering from a severe aold for the last two months and it has effected a cure. It is a pleasure forme to recommend it to anyl one with a bad cold." This is the opinion of one of the oldest and most respected residents of Toowoomba, and has been voluntarily given iu good faith that others might try Chamberlain's Cough Remedy and be benefited as he was. For sale by all chemists and storekeepers. THE GREAT PIG POOD—A CLEAN SWEEP. "Sucrosine" fed pigs secured 55 awards (7 specials, 27 firsts and 21 seconds) at the Manawatu and Christchurch Shows this month. If you want quality use " Sucrosine " —it has no equal. Obtainable from all produce merchants,

|. The crops around Morison's Bush are in a splendid condition this season, and some good results are expected. Harvesting is to be commenced shortly if the weather continues favourable. The milk bill of the Mastertozir Hospital averages about £3 per week, and at the meeting of theTrustess yesterday a suggestion thrown out by a member ihat a couple of cows would ba a roo:I n.vestmeiit for the institution especially as there is a fair area for grazing around the Hospital. A thanksgiving service has been arranged by the local No-License League to be held in the Town Hall on Sunday evening, in regard to the • carrying of No-License at Masterton. It is probable Mr James McGregor will preside at the gathering, at which various speakers will be heard. It has also been arranged to hold a great demonstration in the Park Oval on Thursday next, at which the leaders of the No-License .movement in New Zealand are to be invited. The valuable services' rendered by Mr J. Bridges, organiser, were specially referred to at a meeting of the Executive of the Nq> License Pari;y yesterday.

There has been a considerable fall-; ing off in the number of passengers' travelling by the West Coast steam--ers recently, rt marks an. Aucklandpaper. Whether the reason is that the Main Trunk trip is attracting, travellers to s'o that way or not is some* hat difficult to decide definitely,, but it is reasonable to presume that the overlan i trip has enticed at least some people away from the Manukau--New Plymouth route. However, it is stated that November is the worst month as regards the number of passengers who travel over the sea route. It is too early yet to express ah opinion as to whether oxnot the beauties of the Main Trunk., will prove to be sufficiently enrchanting to seriously affect the steamer traffic. . The eleventh summer conference and ninth business convention of the Australasian Student Christian Unions will be held at Kiama, New South Wales, from January Ist to Btb next, and will be attended from all: the States and New Zealand. Last conference was at Mount Baker,. South Australia, and was attended'! by 127 delegates, but the previous one at Healesville (Victoria), attracted 182. Missions and social, problems are prominent in the list: of subjects for discussion. Frorm December 17th to 23rd next a New Zealand conference will be held at Sheffield, Canterbury. Special reductions in travelling rates have been secured. The union, with its 2,100 members, claims to have one-third of the University students of Australia in its ranks, an 1 to promote interstate feeling, as" well as tostem materialism and train volunteers for various fields.

A remarkable shootirig affair occurred recently at Richmond (Vic), At about half-past ten o'clock Arthi E Hunt, upholsterer, residing with his wife and four children at Lord Street, was disturbed by a shower of stones falling on the roof of the house. He ran out of the place to catch the offenders, and, seeing two • or thr3e young men in the vicinity, gave chase to them. The men ran up Lord Street, and when about 200 yards off one of them turned and called out to the pursuer, "Throw up your hands." Almost immediately two shots were tired, and Hunt fell* to the ground with a bullet-wound in the left collarbone. The house opposite to where the shooting took place is occupied by Mr Harry Musgrove, who, hearing the shots, came ; out into the roadway. He saw Hunt lying bleeding on the ground, and, with-,, the assistance of a friend,. carried him into his own home. . Medical assistance was summoned,. and after temporary remedies were applied, Hunt was removed to the Melbour-e Hospital. A young man . was arrested in connection with the affair.

A notice of thanks is inserted by ■ Mr A. W. Hogg. A housekeeper is required by an , advertiser. Mr John Hunter returns thanks to the electors who supported him at' Tuesday's poll. Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.P., inserts a notice of thnks to the electors . of Wairarapa. A married couple seek position on station, woman good cook and housekeeper. Man understands horses and can do carpentry. Knox Church choir will hold 3 practice on Friday evening at 7.3 ft' o'clock, when all members are re-r----quested to be present. Pigs will be received by Dimock and Co., Ltd., at Eketahuna on Monday, November 30th, and at Mauriceville on Tuesday, December Ist. A reminder is given of the sale of household furniture and effects to be held by Mr M. 0. Aronsten at 62 Pine Street to-day. On Saturday next Messrs J. A. J.. Maclean and Co. will sell at their mart, on behalf of Miss Marryatt; of Opaki, a consignment of up-to-date householdfurniture; Two very compact little properties ■ are to be offered for sale by public auction on Saturday next, 21st instant, when Messrs W. B. Chennells. and Co. will submit for competition 339 acres at Tinui, and 62J acres near the Taueru. The auctioneers have now returned from a final inspection, and report the former place as being in excellent heart, and the. crop of rape and oats in tip-top order. For wintering stock this farm commends itself itvevsry way, since it. lies particularly well to the sun and is nicely sheltered. The section of 621 acres, six miles from Masterton, on the Taueru .Road,, is also showing to great advantage, and an exceptionally heavy crop of young rape gives a good idea of the quality of the soil. For dairying' purposes, this farm would be hard; to beat, having regard to its convenient position to Masterton and: great carrying capacity. The Trustee is anxious to realise the Estate, and any reasonable bid will be entertained, so that both properties should find buyers. Further particulars appear in our columns,elsewhere, and the auctioneers will be pleased to supply, anyj additional infoinaation*

A well-known contractor. Mr Milton Daniel Allison, was killed on Tuesday near Waitahuna. He was driving a conveyance in connection with the election, and it is supposed that the horse slipped en a steep face. Allison wasjfound dead on the xbad, and one of the horses with one of its legs broken. The wool clip in the North this season has been a particularly satisfactory one, and the the fleece coming into the stores is particularly good, remarks the Auckland "Star." Farmers are feeling anything but happy over the prospects of the market, however, and it is considered that the average price for the coarser qualities will not go beyond s£d per lb at the opening sale on the 25th inst. The oat crops throughout the Lower Valley are in a very forward condition, many of the crops being exceptionally heavy. Mr W. Thompson has one of the heaviest, and it is expected tj cut three and a half tens to the acre, while many will cut three. Consequent upon good crops many farmers anticipate a low price for oaten sheaf this season, and £3 is expected to be the highest ruling price per tor:.

Bishop Williams, of Napier, who recently returned from England by the Corinthic, speaking to a "Hawke's Bay Herald" interviewer, said: —"It was forced on my attention that there are many unemployed in England, and it seems to me a terrible state o+' things. The Government is trying to deal with the difficulty, and I sincerely hope it will succeed, I was told by one of m y that he" had been ehown a large building at Newcastle now untenanted and empty which once was an extensive bottle factory, employing many hands, and yet people" still stick to what they call freetrade, a freetrade which appears to be one-sided. England admits all sorts of things to her shores free of duty, but her exports are taxed in other ports." Interviewed regarding the proposal for reduced cable rates, Sir Joseph Ward said that he was in complete accord with the new proposal. It might take some time for the scheme to fructify, but he was satished that in years to come there must be lower rates. He believed that not one person in one hundred at present used the cables for what might be termed social communication in the ordinary way. The cable service at present ■was opsn only to those who required to use it mainly for business poses. The lesult of the present charges was that the usefulness of the service to the people generally was very limited. He knew from conversations with Mr Henniker .Heaton that that gentleman was "thoroughly in earnest in advocating his great reform, and he had behind him, in both the Old Country and the colonies, a growing public opinion in favour of the object he was valiantly espousing. He felt that if facilities were given for carrying on the work, it would be quite as successful as the cheapening of the postal service.

Next Saturday, 21sfc November, G. Whekh, ex amateur sculling champion of New Zealand will meet Ben Tboroughgood in a match for £2OO a-side and the championship of Australia. Both scullers are down to their rowing weights, and feel in such a condition that if the race was held to-morrow they would be fit to face the ordeal. Contrasting the build of both men, Thoroughgood represents the perfecton of the massive type, whilst the New Zealander has all the qualities on a smaller scale; his body is muscular, and he has a game head on strong shoulders. It is anticipated that the race will cost Whekh a desperate fight. The opening will >e fierce, because both are flyers off tl.e mark, but the challenger enjoys a hard struggle, and is never seen to better advantage than when engaged in one of those keen>culling battles. River rowing and lon ± -distance training are things new to the New Zealander, but the Hunter's bends and curves should be well-known ere this. As regards getting to the end of three miles, 1 have it from his supporters that thare is not the slightest doubt about Whelch being! able to stay the 'distance. Should the challenger make full use of opportunities offered in scoring off any mistakes of his opponent, his chances of success will be rosy.—Exchange.