LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3058, 1 December 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The vital statistics for Masterton recorded last month were as follow^: —Births, 19; marriages, 3; deaths, 3. The record of bankruptcies in Wairarapa for the year down to yesterday was twenty-one, being eleven more than for the corresponding period last year. Last month four petitions were filed, as against two in November last year. Mr A. W. Hogg, M.P. for Masterton, is to be tendered a complimentary social evening in the Drill Hall by his supporters to-morrow week. It is understood that representatives from the Cabinet are to be invited. While fishing for groper at Timaru, Mr Grunderson caught a blue shark about 18ft in length and sft across the broadest part of its back. A groper was caught on the line, and the shark swallowed the fish and bit off a part of the line, but was caught on the next hook.

There are still from seven to eight hundred men employed on the Main Trunk Railway. A shipment of 62,000 feet of Oregon pine timber was brought to Gi3borne last week. The Mauriceville Sports Club will hold their annual gathering on grounds close to the Mauriceville Railway Station on Boxing Day. A first-class programme has been drawn up, and arrangements are well in hand for a most successful meeting. Mr James Pryor, lately in chax-ge uf the drapery department of the North Otago Co-operative Association at Oamaru, has been appointed to a similar position in the drapery department of the W.F.C.A., Ltd , Masterton. The practice indulged in by a certain celestial vendor of vegetables in this town of washing his garden products in a horse trough attached to a local stable is one that should be discouraged. The Borough Health Officer should investigate the matter. It is stated (says the "Auckland Herald") that already orders for works oh" various hotel premises, amounting in the aggregate to £25,000 have been cancelled as a result cf the recent locai option vote. During the next three years it is unlikely that much money will be expended upon hotel property owing to the uncertainty of tenure. There is still £3,25T) owing on the building contract of the Wellington branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, and £267 for extras, making a total liability of £3,500. There is owing on the furnishing account £BOO or £9OO, while it is expected to obtain £I,BOO from those who promised donations at the time of the last campaign. A gentleman who has visited various parts of the North Otago district during the past week states, according to the "Oamaru Mail," that the crops are not looking at all promising iat present. The lack of rain has caused them serious set-back, and brown patches are frequent, particularly in wheat areas. At least twenty-four hours' rain is badly wanted, and if it does not come soon the yield will be sadly prejudiced. The ordinary session of the 1.0. G.T., Masterton, was held in the Dominion Hall last evening, Bro. Morris, C.T., presiding. The usual business of the order was dealt with, and other important matters. Addresses were given by a number of members, afterwards a very entertaining time was spent by the members in a social way. It was decided to have an open night a fortnight hence. A large gathering of business men was held aboard the steamer Manuka at Gisborne, to celebrate the opening of the Union Company's new offices there. The Mayor presided, and congratulatory speeches were made concerning the enterprise of the company and its efforts to cater for the local trade. Captain Newton remarked that that was his 117 th visit to Gisborne, and he had never had to pass the port or to over-carry a single package or passenger. The Jersey stock purchased at Home by Mr James Sluckey, Llanbedr, Crickhowell, and shipped to Mr S. R. Lancaster, Palmerston North, New Zealand, comprises the Jersey bull Majesty's Fox, bred in Jersey by Mr P. M. F. James, and the in-calf heifer Freegrove Lady, bred by Mr A. Pocock, Freegrove, Calne, Wilts, of whom both were purchased. With them was shipped also for Mr Lancaster a high quality Southdown ram lamb from the Duke of Richmond's Goodwood flock. "Kruger," the shark that is declared by the natives to have been associated with Sponge Bay, near Tuamotu Ixland, for the past twenty years, has made his reappearance, this time with four followers. Attracted by the sight of a wounded stingray, injured by members of a picnic party, the sharks were seen on Sunday week, when they ravenously fought and destroyed the wounded fish. A determined effort is shortly to be made to rid Sponge Bay of the monsters. The "Dominion" newspaper thus disposes of the Government and the land question:—"Has not the Minister himself told the world that the Government finds out what the people want and gives it to them? The Government has heard the cry for the freehold at the .recent elections, and it may be expected to give the freehold now that the people have raised their voices loud enough. It may temporise—it may even attempt another compromise, but it would not dare to go to the country on a straight-out contest—Freehold v. Leasehold." The charge sheet at the Masterton Police Court yesterday CDntained the names of five inebriates. Mr J. Cross J.P., occupied the Bench. James Gibson, for a third lapse within the statutory period, was fined 10s, in defau't 48 hours' hard labour. Thomas Mason, who was to have appeared on Saturday to answer for a first offence, but who was found at the appointed Court hour on that day "spread out"- on the Courthouse steps under the influence of a second indulgence, was charged with J a double offence, and was also fined 10s, with a similar alternative. Patrick Murphy was fined ss, • in default 24 hours' hard labour. Two first offenders were cautioned and convicted only. What appears to have been an extraordinary action has been credited to the master of a school near Oturoa. The story is that a man named Carr had the misfortune to have a couple of dogs poisoned. This was supposed to be an incident in a neighbour's quarrel. The schoolmaster in the community marked the death of the dogs by hoisting flags, and lecturing the school children on the matter. In a very long communication to the Board of Edu cation, the master sought to vindicate his action. The Chairman of the Board (Mr C. J. Parr) de&cribed the explanation as verbose and unsatisfactory. He moved that the Board considered the explanation unsatisfactory, and censures the master for taking sides in his neighbour's quarrels. The motion was modified so as. to express disapproval of the master's action instead of censuring him. „ t . .._„,

Our Carterton correspondent write 1 ? that the fall of rain experienced thero on Sunday last was much appreciated by the farmers in the district. In future swimming announcements under the auspices of the Wairarapa Amateur Swimming Club are to be posted at a notice board at Mr F. B. Rosson's shop, at the Park Lake, and at the Public Baths, Dixon street. The Committee of the Wairarapa Amateur Swimmuj Ciub decidecl last evening to approach the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees at its next meeting with a view of obtaining a grant towards its funds. One of the informal papers cast at the B'enheim election was evidently the work of a "humorist," (says a Marlborough exchange). Both candidates' names were scored out, and underneath was written, "1 am a Socialist." On Friday evening next the Masteron Orchestral Society will hold their third concert of the season. This concert concludes their fifth season. A special effort has been made to present an attractive programme. Elgar, Creig, Sitt, German and other well known composers **■*■ will be represented. A leading Wellington vocalist has been engaged to sing. The orchestra will probably give an open air concert in the Hospital grounds next Sunday afternoon. An advertiser has to let a fiveroomed house, with all conveniences, situated in Albert Street. Messrs Butcher Bros., proprietors of the Al Butcnery, elsewhere announce that patrons can receive the best meat at reasonable prices at their establishment. In view of the Cnristmas season, great preparations are being made at the W.F.C.A. , Ltd., and attention is directed to a special Christmas advertisement appearing on the Leader page of this issue, which is well worth perusal by both town and country residents. In another column Messrs J. A. J. Maclean, of the Wairarapa Auction Mart, invite public inspection of a very choice lot of high-class drapery. The goods include Oriental curtains and rugs, jackets, coats, hats, etc. A splendid consignment of furniture, in the latest designs, is also on view at the firm's mart, in Perry Street. Messrs W. B. Chennells and Co., hav3 received a communication from the owner of the 200 acre dairy and sheep farm (particulars of which are elsewhere advertised), that they are prepared to accept the very low cash deposit of £250 and balance by arrangement. An exceptional opportunity therefore presents itself of securing, a money making section on remarkably easy terms, and those in search of a special land bargain should make a point of inspecting the property.