LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3051, 23 November 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

According to the lnvercargill correspondent of the Dunedin "Star" tnere are persistent rumours in circulation in lnvercargill to the effect that Mr Hanan, M.P., may resign his seat in order that efforts may be made to induce Mr McNab to star d for lnvercargill.

A match will be played at Eketahuna on Saturday next between the Eketahuna and Pahiatua Tennis Clubs.

A garden fete in aid of the funds of the Carterton Presbyterian Church is to be held at Carterton at an early date.

Many of the oat crops in the vicinity of Masterton are already showing signs of ripening, and an exceptionally early harvest is assured.

The strangers' tea at the Y.M.C.A. last evening, was well attended. At the men's meeting, Mr J. Heyhoe delivered an interesting address, which was listened to with attention by those present.

Says the Carterton "News" —The majority of 193 for Mr Buchanan, as given on Monday night, is certain to be reduced by 45. Mr Hornsby was only credited with 205 votes for Greytown, whereas we are informed he should have had 250 placed to his credit. ;

Striking out the two bottom lines was a poser for more than one apparently illiterate voter at the local option poll in this electorate. Papers were found by the Returning Officer with the last line on the paper (containing merely directions) and the ruled line immediately above carefully scored out! The second competition of the Pahiatua Municipal Fire Brigade was decided on Thursday evening, he results being as follows: — Fireman F. Parke3 (3 points) 1; Hydrantman Radford (2 points) 2; Branchman H. Wilds (1 point) 3; Fireman Munns 4. The third competition will take place on Friday evening next.

A short but sharp earth tremor was experienced in Mastertori at ten minutes past seven yesterday morning. The direction of the seismic disturbance was apparently from north to south, and accompanying the "shake" was a noise similar to that caused by a light wind. Our Carterton correspondent states that two slight shocks were felt in Carterton. At tremor was very pronounced.

During Mr H. S. Moss' absence in England, Mr L. H. Smart will act as secretary of the Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Society, while Mr J. J. Mead will take over the duties of secretary of the Building Society and Brick and Tile Company, during the same period. On Wednesday Gilbert Langdon is to stand his trial at Wellington on a charge of horse-stealing, after which Frank Carr and Clifford Jackson are to be tried, the former on charges of stealing and knowingly receiving stolen cattle, and the latter on charges of stealing only. Messrs T. P. Le*t and J. S trang —both well-known farmers of this district—are to leave this week to judge classes at the Whangarei Show. Mr Lett is to judge the draught horse section, and Mr J. Strang one of the cattle classes. Mrs Lett will accompany her husband to the North, where they intend to spend a fortnight's holiday. -

The body of a man named Thomas Wallace, about 35 years of age, was picked up in the Wellington Harbour yesterday morning, states a Press Association telegram. The deceased was last seen at 10.45 o'clock on Saturday night in the city and no explanation is offered as to how he got into the water. His relatives are supposed to reside at Newcastle, New South Wales.

The man who steals a schoolboy's lunch is pupularly to hold the champion belt for meanness, but a challenger has arisen in Wellington, who threatens by sheer demerit to appropriate the doubtful honour. This rival on Friday entered a bar of the Albion Hotel, and appropriated the hospital collection box, which contained about 10s in small silver and coppers. The sale of work in aid of ithe Congregational Church Manse Fund, to be held at the Foresters' Hall next Wednesday and Thursday, promises to be a great succe is. A splendid programme of musical items has 'been arranged for each evening, and the general arrangements for the sale are most complete. The sale will be opened by the Mayor (M P. L. Hollings) at 3 o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. Quietlj, but steadily, the Trades and Labour Council's Saturday Halfholiday Committee is working for the "week-end" respite. If the matter goes to a poll, it will be decided on the municipal franchise, and it is estimated that the electors, on that basis, in the Wellington dis- ! trict (which includes Miramar. I Onslow, and Johnsouvilla), will total about 40,000. The Trades Council is striving for 4,000 signatures to a petition for a poll, and has already secured about 500.

The Masterton County Council could, with great advantage to the users of the Miki Miki road, cause an immediate inspection to be made of the road upon which at present exist at least two large holes very dangerous to night traffic. These holes have been caused through culverts giving, way under the strain of heavy traffic, as large logs are being takep out of the bush in the south end of the valley. Large logs have been inserted in the holes to warn drivers of vehicles in the daytime from coming to grief, but these, of course, would be of no use at night.

The busy season on many of the farms around Masterton will commence this week, preparations having been made for the cutting of many of the hay and clover crops during the week. The majority of these crops promise to yield very heavily. Should favourable weather conditions prevail, there will probably be a much larger number of second crops than there has been for some years past

The men's committee of the Masterton Horticultural Society has completed its section of the schedule for inaugural Show of the Society, to be the held in March next. The date pencilled in for the Show is March 3rd. The ladies' committee has yet to complete its portion of the schedule, a work which will not take long to push through. When the committees have finally completed drafting the various classes the schedules will be issued.

An auction sale of property which attracted a large number of local settlers was held at Messrs W. B. Chennells and Co. 'a rooms on Saturday last, in connection with the late Mr John O'Connor's Estate. The lots submitted included 339 acres at Tinui, and 62J acres near the Taueru, and although neither property found a purchaser under the hammer, Mr Schofield, of Tinui, immediately afterwards secured the former section. The latter place which comprises a really excellent dairying and cropping section is now'open for sale, and the auctioneers very strongly advise anyone desiring a first-claes section to inspect this lot.

The Mssterton Courthouse will be the polling booth in the Masterton portion of the Eastern i;Maori electorate for the election of a representative, which will take place next month. Natives from a considerable distance round will be under the necessity of coming to the Masterton booth to record their votes. There are only two candidates —Messrs A. T. Ngata (the sitting member) and Mr Tiki Paaka. Gisborne is the locality of the chief polling booth.

In a note on the sculling match for the championship of the world, the "Wanganui Chronicle" states that the champion's many supporters are as confident as ever of Webb's victory in the approaching race. His hand is right again, and he is once more in hard training. ,He has gone into camp at Kaiwhaike, and his progress will be watched with much interest. Arnst's supporters, too, are daily becoming more confident, and are more than pleased with the vigour he puts into his rowing, which is daily improving in style. The challenger has a spin twice daily with Fogwell, and goes through good, steady, practice. More than one wager at fair odds as been offered and taken that Arnst will lead from start to finish. The great question for next month, however, is will weight and power prove too much for skill and science?

THE GREAT PIG F n Oi)—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

Mr. S. Stockbridge, 97 Tory-st., Wellington, N.Z., writes: Chamberlain's Tablets are the finest corrective that we have ever had in our home. 1 always give therh to my children and find that they are the safest medicine for them. What I like about them is that they are mild and gentle in their action and never leave any after effects." People trouble with Indigestion or Constipation will find tliatChamberlain's Tablets can always be .depended on. For sale by all chemists and storekeepers.

ONCE A MAN BOYS A suit from us he is most unwilling to wear any otlnr make. That's why we're making suits for gentlemen all over the Dominion—gentlemen who have tested the fit, comfort, style, and quality of our clothes, and have found them the best: Why not leave your order with us when next in Wellington. Our cash prices mean money saved to you. Morrison and Penney, Tailors, 73 Willis Street, Wellington."

Mr J. A. Daysh has bought Mr J. The glut in the Wellington cabbage C. Nichol's farm at Nireaha. . market continues, and during the The Masterton Mounted Rifles will last day or two sacks of this vegeparade on Wednesday evening, not table have been sold at 6d and I s - t this evening, as previously announced. Messrs A. Mason and C. N. Stillborn have been nominated for the vacant seat on the East Riding of the Castlepoint County. The poll will be taken on Friday next.

At the Dunediu Police Court, Paul Henry Mercier, for passing himself off as deaf and dumb, ana partially paralysed, and ii'U'ising on people as such, was a<;n. to gaol for three months.

At the Wellington Supreme Court on Saturday James Reid, charged with assault and robbery, pleaded not guilty. The trouble arose out of a drunken row and the jury could not agree and were discharged. A new trial will be taken to-day.

A novel idea in agricultural show prizes emanates from South Australia. The Petersburg Agricultural Show committee has received an offer of a prize from Mr H. J. Badger, which is to be awarded to tha head of the family who brings to the show on October 21st the largest family of Australian born boys and girls.

A Cbristchurcb Press Association telegram stated that at the Magistrate's Court on Saturday morning the Hon. J. Barr, M.L.C., was eharged with using abusive language at a political meeting at Sumner by calling Jas. Wilson, employed to collect questions, ''a dirty low-down cur," and "a dtraitor." He was fined 40s and costs.

In view of the recent prosecutions in New Zealand in connection with the sale of books alleged to be immoral, the following comment by Mr G. K. Chesterton in a London paper is interestinglt'is the modern literature of the educated, not of the uneducated which is avowedly and aggressively criminal. Books recommending profligancy and pessimism, ac which the high-souled errand boy would shudder, lie upon our drawing-room tables. If the dirtiest old owner of the dirtiest old bookstall in Whiiechapel dared to display books recommending polygamy or suicide, his stock would be seized by the police. These things are our luxuries." Atter a course of hundreds of present-day novels, we say with all emphasis (says the London "Spectator") Mr Chesterton is right.

An agricultural authority writes aa follows: —"Avery valuable variety of rape largely used at Home is the giant rough leaf rape. Mr W. Lowrie, principal of the Lincoln College, who has had experience of it in Scotland, considers that its introduction into thi-t country would fill a long-felt want. Its strong point is that, sown in the autumn, it provides splendid teed in the early spring. The best way to sow it is in a mixture, with, say, oats. Where turnips fail it is an excellent substitute. Several Nev Zealand farmers have arranged with a New sesd agency for a supply of seed for this valuable rape for experimental purposes." luquiries made by a Wairarapa Age reporter at the local Stock Office in regard to this new feed elicited the fact that the Stoci officials are in possession of information concerning it, which they will gladly impart to inquirers.

The Rev. C. Watt, who described himself as a leader of the Bible-m-Schools League in New Zealand at one time, speaking in Brisbane recently, went back apparently a good deal on what he had propounded on this side of the water. "God," he said, "has opened my'eyes, and Ino longer desire to see religious instruction giten in State schools. I love the Bible, I preach it, I trust it, but the very last people in the world that I would entrust with the teaching of the Bible, would be the Governments of tha States. The Government should have absolutely nothing to do with the religious education." He was satisfied that all the bitterness and bigotry that existed were engendered in the children, and he thought the best way of eradicating both was by having no denominational schools, and an education system strictly free, secular, and compulsory.

A diverting exposure of the methods of the Sultan's discreditable astrological guide, philosopher, and friend, Eb-uI-Huda, is given by the London "Daily Chronicle's" Constantinople correspondent. His magic appears to have been very like that of Mark Twain's Yankee at the Court of King Arthur. The astrologer, that is to say, kept tame Pasha, who was in charge ot the telegraph department at Yildiz Kiosk. The Pasha used to let the astrologer know the daily news from all parts of the Empire as soon as it arrived, and the astrologer, embellishing this with corroborative detail which was often a very good shot, reported to Abdui HamH what "the stars" had told him. An hour or two later the telegrams were delivered, and backed up the stars every time. Thus the Sultan 3uffered more or less as certain bookmakers have done in our own enlightened land. The telegraph enabled the learned Eb-ul-Huda quietly to give his "1/2, 3," after the horses had passed the post.

The second ballot campaigns in Wellington and Suburbs are providing more thrills than the preliminary skirmishing did. The gladiators faced a rather jaded public, but the fact that the fights are all duels has stimulated the electors. In Wellington North the general interest ha 3 been heightened by the amalgamation of Messrs Bolton's and Izard's divisions of the Government forces. Mr Izard attended a meeting of Mr Bolton's supporters on Thursday night, and the defeated candidate declared that it was the duty of "all true Liberals" to rally around Mr Bolton and do their best to secure his election. Mr Bolton warmly praised Mr Izard for his magnanimous decision and his self-sacrificing spirit, and called for cheers, which were heartily given. Mr Bolton states that he thoroughly appreciates the generous action of M Izard, which was all the more gratifying to him because it was unsolicited.

Sick Headache usually results from a disordered condition ;of the stomach and can be corrected by taking a medium dose of Chamberlain's Tablets. Try them and be convinced. When taken as soon as the first indication of the attack appears they will greatly lessen its severity. For sal& by all chemists and storekeepers.

There are 1,162 Hotel licenses and 203 accommodation licenses—a total •of 1,365—in JNew Zealand. The .greatest in each district are:—Buller, 76; Westland, 76; Grey, 64; Auckland, 58; Wellington, 48; Christchurch 46; Wakatipu 45; Dunedin 39. General Joubert, the well-known leader in the South African war, is now in New York advertising for lecruits to fight against President Castro in Venezuela, stated the London September 12th. A -considerable number of applications have already been received, and General Joubertsays he is confident that the force he will be able to take back will be of great assistance to rthe revolutionaries. Charles Hood, alias Veitch, with a long list of previous convictions for theft and other crimes involving dis- . honesty, pleaded guilty before Mr W. P. James, S.M., at Masterton on Saturday, to having stolen a watch valued at £4, the property of a man named Arud Donaldson. The police stated that when the latter was arrested for drunkenness on Friday, accused, who was in his company, ran away, causing; suspicion to ""-arise. He was arrested, and the watch was found on him. A sen- ' tence of three months' imprisonment was imposed. A first offender was fined 5s for having been drunk. A plague of mice is infesting parts *of Marlborough, says the "Herald." They have been at Koromiku, and have now spread onwards to Mahakipawa, where they are to be seen in the fields like swarms of birds seeking the earthy worm. They form food for conversation in the rural districts. They watch the cows being milked

and the butter churned, arid squat round in the kitchen in the earlymorning when the breakfast is being cooked. They are quite as interesting to the'country people as Pelorus Jack is to the passengers by the Pic-ton-Nelson route. The mice are just arriving in Picton, but, so far, pussy has been able tu cope with them, and keep the nuisance within bounds. There has just been erected in Maryborough Cemetery, says the Melbourne "Age," a very remarkable tomb, which has cost over i>l,ooo. The superstructure stands 42 feet above the ground level, and covers a deep vault. Two hundred tons of granite have been used in its construction. It has been buijt to the order of Mr W. G. McCullough, aged 86 years, who is a resident of Warragu!, but was one of the pioneers of Maryborough. Above ground the sepulchre consists of a house of jrranite fourteen feet square and ten feet high, which has a flat roof. From the roof spring square pillars •supporting a granite dome. On the summit of the dome six polished round granite pillars stand, which carry a granite canopy. Three of the walls o/ the house hear marble ,panels for the inscription of the names of deceased persons. In raised stone letters above the door appears the name of "W. G. McCullough." Certain deceased members of Mr McCullough's family are being placed there.i

An advertispr has for sale a second-hand double-seated buggy. The official declaration of the Electoral and Licensing Polls for ' the Masterton Electorate will be found elsewhere in this issue. On Wednesday next, at the red•dence, Cockburn Street, Mr J. R. Nicol .will sell on account of Mr J. Barker, the whole of his furniture and effects. Dr Van Slyke, specialist in diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, may be consulted at Mr Eton's pharmacy to-morrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday. A representative of the Wairarapa Age had recently the pleasure s,£ viewing some paintings in dry oil •, the work of Mr J. A. Bond, well-known Auckland artist, who is now on a visit to Masterton. Some •■of the pictures which call for special attention are scenes 011 the Wanganui River, and several moonlight paintings, which are very skilfully executed, ".ppealing very forcibly to the artistic eye. Mr Bond's skill has been rewarded by receiving some very high prices for his work, both in Australia and New Zealand, some of which ran as high as three figures. Mr Bond intends calling on a larg<j number of residents in '-this district, when they will have the opportunity of securing and seeding some works of art quite out of the ordinary. It is Mr Bond's intention to paint pictures of the best "known local scenery.