LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3061, 4 December 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

To-day the recount of votes in connection with the local option poll at Masterton will be conducted by Mr W. P. James, S.M., at Masterton, and will be conducted in accordance with the petition of the representatives of the License party at Masterton. Mr A. H.Holmes, clerk of the Magistrate's Court, at Wellington, left for Masterton, last evening to assist Mr James with the recount. The proceedings are to take place m private, or.ly the Magistrate and his officials being allowed in the room in which the papers will be handled.

In the Magistrate's Court, at Masterton, yesterday morning, L. J. Matthews, mail coach contractor, sued' Adams, Ltd., of Christchurch, for £25 damages in respect of a contract to deliver on sale a motor cycle, which plaintiff alleged was not delivered within contract time. Mr Pownall appeared for plaintiff and Mr A. R. Bunny for the defendant Company. Mr Pownall stated tnat defendants undertook to deliver the motor cycle by October Ist, and plaintiff, in anticipation of having the machine to time, which was to be used in connection with his mail contract, sold his horses. The cycle was not received at the due date, and plaintiff asked for the return of his deposit of £5. The request was not complied with and plaintiff claimed this deposit and damages as well. The deposit was then returned, but the claim for damages was not recognised. Plaintiff had suffered considerable inconvenience through the action of defendants. Plaintiff gave evidence to this effect. Several legal points in respect of the formation uf the contract were, raided, and the case was adjourned by consent of both counsel to see if a settlement ould not be arrived at.

The appearance cf many crops in different localities in the district indicates that the reaper and binder will soon be at work. The warm dry weather is having the effect of maturing crops rapidly and it is confidently anticipated that from point of bulk and quality the grain crops will prove a record this season.

At a civil sitting of the Magistrate's Ourt, at Masterton, yesterday, before Mr W. P. James, S.M., judgment was given by default for plaintiffs in the following case: — John Graham and Co. v. A. W. Briss claim, £2 7s 7d costs ss; A. W. Cave v. Arthur S. Awdry, claim £7 7s, costs £1 5s 6d; John Graham and Co. v. P. Anaru, claim £6 6s, costs £1 6s 6d.

"I strongly protest against preference to Unionists," said a witness at the Conciliation Board at Wanganui.* "My firm employs about 120 men all the year round, and I find that if there are a few Unionists they are the poorest and always the men who foment trouble. I say that is my experience. Ida not know why it is, but thje Union men are always the worst. Out of 120, there are only about two Unionists. There are no carpenters or bricklayers Unions in Wanganui, and it is-news to me that there is a Labourers* Union. If my men want anything they say so, and we can arrange matters amicably without referenee to Unions." The making of ensilage, a branch of agricultural science, which receives very little attention from New Zealand farmers, is one of the most successful features of the work of the Government exerimental station at Ruakura (says the Auckland "Herald"). A start has been made with this season's stack at the station. Farmers who desire to obtain information in regard to this method of supplementing their store of autumn and winter feed would do well to study the operations at Ruakura. Mr E. Clifton, chief inspector of stock, who returned from a visit to the station "on Friday, states that the various crops there are looking well and promise some good yields.

The quarterly meeting of the Masterton Licensing Bench was held yesterday morning. Messrs "W. P. James, S.M., chairman, E. McEwen, and J. H. Pauling being present. No complaints were lodged by the police regarding the conduct of any hotels in the district. A transfer of the Mauriceville Hotel license was granted from A. A. Harris to A. Rebay, of the Te Nui Hotel from W. G. Barr to W. C. Page, and of the Hamua Hotel from the Deputy Official Assignee in bankruptcy, W. B. Chennalis, to T. M. Holland. Mrs Woods was granted a renewal of a license to carry on the Whakataki Hotel until June, the licensee being deemed to have deserted the premises. This was all the business of the meeting.

Many amusing experiences seem to have fallen to the lot of the energetic workers in conveying reluctant electors to the various polling booths in Dunedin North. Amongst these is the story of two young ladies who were quick to perceive in election day the chance of a lifetime for a ride in a motor car. They lived but one block away from the George street booth, but nevertheless made it known that they would not record their votes unless a mctor car was sent for them. The committee was slow to believe that they would not change their minds, and sent round a cab, but its aid was firmly declined. Later on a waggonette drew up at their door, but it, too, was rejected with scorn. In the end the obdurate ones scored their point, and were driven in a motor car to the nearest booth.

The sand-dunes of the New Zealand coasts are a generally despised asset which may yet be turned to commercial account. Dr L. Cockayne has commenced an examination of the sand-dunes of the North Island, to investigate what plants are inclined to grow thereon, whether they are good or harmful, and if good, how they can be encouraged. Quite a number of plants,can be made to grow well in sand, and Dr Cockable to maintain gardens at New Brighton formed of this unpromising material, in which the most interesting botanical experiments were conducted. Several other countries were beginning to make good use of their sand-dunes for the growth of vegetation, and Dr Cockayne will report to the Department'of Agriculture on the possibilities vf similar development in New Zealand.

} A claim of £3 17s 6d made by F. W. Fowler, motor mechanic, against Frederick F. Fabian, insurance agent in respect of repairs made, to defendant's motor 1 car, was disputed by plaintiff when the claim was heard before Mr W. P. James, S.M., at Masterton, yesterday morning. Plaintiff stated in evidence that defendant had left his car at plaintiff's garage to be repaired, and had hurried witness on with the work, which did not allow of the repairs being effected in as workmanlike manner as plaintiff could have done- the job had he not been pushed for time. He had offered to re-adust the work if it was not found satisfactory. For the defence it was alleged that plaintiff was not hurried unnecessarily, and the wurk was unsatisfactorily done. P. Reardon and F. Jones gave expert evidence, also defendant himself. Judgment was given for the full amount claimed, and costs totalling £1 12s.

It is understood that the executors of the late Mr C. G. Tripp have been induced to put the Otira Gorge Station, in the Geraldine district, under offer *to the Government for closer settlement. The property (says the Lyttelton "Times") consists of about 8,000 acres of freehold and 22,000 acres ot Crown leasehold, 2,500 acres being good agricultural land and the rest mixed pastoral land. It is thought by practical people who know the estate that it might be divided into about twenty small farms and fifteen or sixteen grazing runs. The Government has promised that the Land Purchase Board will inspect the property as early as possible and determine whether it is suitable for subdivision. Mr Thomas Buxton, the new member for the district, is taking a keen interest in the matter, and is trying to arrange for another large property to be inspected by the Board during its visit to South Canterbury.

A native woman named Kaiha Haimona and her child were found drowned in the Waipa River Hamilton, yesterday morning. An inquest will be held. A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that a Mrs Anderson, who was received into the Hospital on Tuesday last, suffering from burns, died on Wednesday night. The Mystery Flat Dredge worked the centre and western sections of the cut last week. The wash in the former had improved a great deal, but there was no change in; the other section. The Auckland Public Library has benefited considerably by the addition of some interesting Shakesperian relics given by Mr J. H. H. Pickworh, of Whakatane. The aricles are a copy of a signet ring, a medallion, a medal, and a wooden peg from the bard's historic birthplace. '' One of the finest fields of oats ever grown in the district is now to be seen on Mr Geo. Watson's property, on the Masterton-Te Whiti Road. The crop is about five feefc high, very even, thick, and splendidly headed, and it is expected to yield' quite seventy bushels to the acre. The hay crops at Lower Manaia and Homebush are now being dealt with. Mr W. Cole has just cut a very fine crop of about fifteen acres, whilst Messrs McGregor Bros, are engaged in stacking some fine fields of hay. The splendid weather is facilitating operations, and the hay is coming in in exceptionally good condition. After June 30th next Masterton,, which so far as is known will come under No-License, is, our Featherston representative hears, to be marked by the drovers as a town to be avoided as a stopping place for the night, and Carterton substituted therefor. At Carterton a foaming pewter of ale, after a dusty day's long tramp ; offers a mignty attraction.—"Carterton News." At last night's meeting of the residents of Lansdowne called for the purpose of electing a school committee, Mr H. C. Robinson declined nomination, stating that he thought in the interest of all concerned, it would be inadvisable to hold such a position, beieg a member of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust, as the school would be required -to apply to the Trust Lands Trustees for various grants.

The Anglican Synod, at its last session, having passed a resolution favouring the establishment in Christchucrh jf a school by the Kilburn 1 Sisters, the Bishop visited their College in Dunedin (St. Hilda's), and was much pleased with everything he saw, says the ''New Zealand Church News." He is now in communication with the authorities at Kilburn, and hopes ere lorg to hear that they are able to send out a teaching staff. The preliminaries, however, will necessarily take ip time, and it is quite possible that the school will not be established before the beginning of 1910.

"Artificial lamb chops" are alleged to be among the latest developments in America. Dr. H. W. Wiley. Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry of the United States, in a lecture on "What Pure Food Means," is reported to have said:- "One day last winter someone sent to my house by mistake some artificial lamb chops —bones on which meat cut from just behind the ear had been threaded very carefully to make them appear like lamb chops. It is all right to sell old bones as old bones or meat from behind the ear by its proper name, but to sell a combination of old bones and meat trom behind the ear as lamb chops is a rank deception. It is a violation of the principles of ethics in trade."

Representative Lonsjworth, at a dinner party during the Republican convention iti Chicago, talked about honest politics. "Honest politics alone pay in the end," said he. "Your dishonest, politician comes out like Lurgan of Cincinnati. "Lurgan of Cincinnati was canvass*" ing for vnte3. He dropped in a grocer's. "Good morning," he said. "I may count on your support, I hope?" "Why, no, Mr Lurgan," said the grocer. 'l've promised my support to your rival." Lurgan laughed easily. "Ah, but in politics,'* said he, "promising and performing 1 are two different matters." "In that case," said the grocer, heartily, "I shall be most happy to give you my promise, Mr Lurgan "

An announcement made in the Timaru "Post" is likely tj lead to a good deal of controversy in butter circles., It is that the Timaru Dairy Company is opening a factory iu a few days for the manufacture of butter from home separated cream;* - - and claims to be in a position to pay the farmers one penny per pound more for their butter fat than a company which is run at the expense of creameries. The "Post" believes this is the first dairy factory in the Sooth Island to be worked exclusively Dy home separated cream, although there are several in the North Island worked on similar lines. It claims that the stock reared on "sweet" home separated milk is far better than on the often sour milk from the creameries, and that home separation has made Denmark the leading country in the world for butter.

Maori women adopt some very cunning devices to hoodwink the police. One of the latest was discovered by Constable M'lvor, at New Plymouth, on Saturday. For some time, according to the "Herald," he had been watching three Maori women in Brougham Street;, whose actions were very suspicious. One had a kit, qnd in turn these three women almost covered their head whilst they apparently drank something from the kit which they were anxious to conceal. Constable M'lvor decided to investigate, and when he got near, the native in possession of the kit hurriedly smashed a couple of babies' bottles on the pavement and endeavoured to treat a third in a like manner. The officer was too quick for her, however. He took the kit, Which contained a spirit flask halffilled with whisky. This had been fitted as a baby's feeding bottle. Through the rubber tube the Maori had been consuming the whisky. Constable M'lvor took possession of the kit and escorted the woman who had charge of it to the police station.

A man named Humphries, at raonui, Feilding, who was gored by i bull on Monday, and had his chest ripped open and several ribs broken, died early yesterday morn ing. All over the Wairararja district the reports of the wool clip are most encouraging. Messrs Shaw and Son, of Te Ore Ore, obtained an average of lllbs of wool from their ewes. This is a decidedly good return. Similar clips are being obtained in many parts of the district. An advertiser requires a good cookgeneral, high wages given to competent person. A reward is offered for the return of a black and tan collie sheep puppy lost from Hogg Crescent. An advertiser otters a rewai'd for a fox terrier puppy lost from near the Cemetery gates yesterday afternoon. A smart young girl for light household duties is required by an advertiser. Two special bargain lines are announced for to-morrow by Mr H. A. Wbelch, draper and clothier. They comprise handsome dress materials and white Jap silk. Mr J. Adams, draper and clothier, of' Gidditig's Buildings, Queen Street, Masterton, announces that he will positively close the premises in a fortnight from date. The whole of the seasonable goods now in stock are to be offered at remarkably low rates. A very handsome wedding cake, artistically decorated, which was made to the order of a Wellington resident by Messrs MacKay and Sons, bakers, is at present exhibited in th« window of Mr W. Home's confectionery shop. It is an excellent sample of the high-class work that Messrs Mackay and Sons are capable of turning out. With th's issue is circulated an inset giving particulars of the auction sale of drapery, boots and shoes, etc., to be held at the Post Office Auction Mart to-morrow afternoon by Mr G. H. Goodall. The goods to be disposed of are seasonable and of excellent quality, and the whole lot is to be sold absolutely without reserve. ] The public are reminded of the sale to be conducted at 2 o'clock today by Mr J. R. Nicol, on account of Mrs Leonard Knight, at the residence, Lircoln Road, opposite Mr C. E. Daniell's mill, when the whole of the household furniture and effects will be submitted to auction. All lines are well selected and being nearly new, afford a splendid opportunity to those requiring furniture. The Scoullar and Co., Ltd., the well-knuwn Wellington artistic house furnishers, insert a replace advertisement in this issue announcing .the opening up of very varied and choice lines of new goods, including latest designs from the leading manufacturers at Home and abroad. In addition thereto the Company employ - a large number of skilled workmen at their own factory, and customers can rely upon having any special designs in furniture executed in the very best style at most reasonable prices. Particulars, samples, catalogues and estimates free by post. Messrs C. C. Ross and Co., land and estate agents, of Masterton, elsewhere insert a fresh list of land bar- ; gains that have been placed in thpir hands for disposal. All properties have been specially selected, and those in search of either sheep or - dairy country would do well to inspect the list. One property, consisting of 951 acres, L.1.P., and . really first-class land, and quoted at a very reasonable rental, is well worth perusal. The firm have ■ numerous other properties on their lists, particulars of which they will be pleased to forward to anyone o i • application.

An exceptional opportunity of getting high.gra le household furniture at auction rates will be afforded the residents of Masterton this afternoon, when \he whole of the goods in "Derby House," better known as "The Pines," Victoria Street, will be offered fcr sale by Messrs J. A. J. Maclean and Co. It is not more than two months ago since Messrs G. Hyde and Co. furnished Derby House throughout with picked furniture, and the goods to be submitted for sale are therefore practically new. The contents of seven bedrooms, dining room, sitting room, halls, and kitchen are included in the goods catalogued.