LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3085, 6 January 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Some excellent crops of oats are to be seen in the Alfredton district. If favourable weather is experienced for ripening and harvesting, the yield should eclipse all previous records for the district. Mr VV. Monk, advance agent for Mr J. C. Williamson's Tittel Brune Company, was in Masterton yesterday making arrangements for the Company's appearance here on January lfith. Mr J. 11. Redwood, of Blenheim, has purchased Messrs Dempney Bros.' Spring Hill Station, Mohaka, Hawke's Bay. The station has an area of 6,600 acres, and is carrying 10,000 sheep and 600 head of cattle. On December 12th last, Messrs Percy Bros., of Mount Baker, consigned 350 fat lambs to the freezingworks in Wellington, and they have just received the returns in connection therewith, showing that the lambs averaged 3841b5. The name of AYLMER'S, Willis-st. Wellington, is synonymous with perfection in the art of Millinery. Ladies write for a selection on approval. Designs by every mail from the leading London and Paris houses.

After her tour of New Zealand, Madame Ada Crossley will spend a holiday at Kotorua.

The Coinmitttee of the Masterton Horicultural Society met last evening, when various matters in connection with the schedule for the Autumn Show were discussed, and arrangements made for its compilation and printing.

The first meeting of the Masterton Borough Council of the present year, held last evening, was something in the nature of a record, the whole business being transacted in half an hour. The absence of sub-committee reports helped to shorten proceedings considerably, these reports alone usually occupying up to half an hour to read.

A rather virulent form of dysentery has attacked numerous people in tha Masterton district lately. Infants have been subject to it, several deaths having been due to this cause Two years ago the infantile mortality was heavy in MaiterU>n through the ravages of dysentery, at that time a very nad form of the mHladv being epidemic. At the annual meeting of the teachers in connection wiui tb<' Carcerton Methodk-:t Sunday bihon), the following officers were elected:—Superintendent. Mr D. T. King; vicesuperintendent, Mr T. Foster; secretary, Miss Russell; assistant secretin, Miss King; treasurer, Mr T. Foster; organist, Miss Andrews; assistant organist, Miss E. Butltr.

The practices in connection with the musical composition "Lauda Sion," to be produced by Knox Choir shortly, will commence to-morrow e\ erring. The practices were discontinued during the holidays on account of the Summer School session, and the production was also delayed pending the erection of the new'nipe organ. The funds raised are to be devoted to the pipe organ fund.

Very encouraging success is being met with by the Canvassing Committee set up in connection with the St. Matthew's Church New Building Fund. Generous support has been forthcoming from all sections of the parish, and the Committee anticipate that the £2,000 required to be raised by voluntary subscription before the building will be proceeded with will easily be obtained.

The weather conditions prevailing locally are just what farmsrs do not want, :;nd unless a change occurs, prospects for the harvest will be serious. Warm showers, alternating with bursts of sunshine, are a daily dispensation, and this state of affairs will tend to cause grain already cut to grow in the stook, and the harvest returns will thus be materially reduced. The atmosphere yesterday was extremely close and unpleasant.

The Borough Engineer stated last evening that no tenders had been received in connection with the proposed installation of an electrical tire alarm system in Masterton. Mr Mansfield siid that Messrs Jdckson Bros., telephonic contractors, had intimated their willingness to submit a tender after thev had obtained certain information from Home. The matter was held over until February, when it will be again brought before the Council.

The monthly meeting of the Masterton Fire Brigade was held last evening, Captain Jenkins presiding. The secretary reported the average attendance for December to have oeen as follows: —Meetings 20£, alarms 16, all musters I9i. Forty-five brigades sent seasonable greetings. Branchman H. Selby and Fireman B. Hounslow tendered their resignations, which were accepted with regret. "Branchman Holmes was awarded a three years' certificate.

The half-yearly meeting of St Michael's branch of the H.A.C.B.S. was held in St. Patrick's Schoolroom last evening. The President (Bro. J. Connor) occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance' of members. The general opinion of the meeting was in favour of the Friendly Societies' Council procuring a bed in the Hospital for the nae of members of the affiliated Societies. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term: —President, Bro. J. Connor (re-elected); VicePresident, Bro. L. Richards; Secretary, Bro. S. J. O'Kegan: Treasurer, Bro. J. Waters; Warden, Bro. J. R. Dunn; Guardian, Bro. G. Price; Auditors, Bros. Richards and Dunn; Sick Visitors, Bros. H. O'Eeary, B. Chapman and G. Price.

The Masterton Borough Council met last evening. There were present the Mayor (Mr P. L. Boilings) and CrsJ. Elliott, J. Hunter, A. Haughey, W. Morris, W. Pragnel!, J. C. Ewington, J. Prentice, and J. Yarr. It was decidtd to hold a special meeting of the Council, to fix upon the statutory half-holiday for shops and offices. An invitation to the Mayor and Council to be present at the opening of St. Bride's Chapel was accepted. Auctioneers licenses were issued to the following firms:--Messrs J. R. Nicol, J. A. J. Maclean, Dalgety and Co., Ltd., W. B. Chennells and Co., New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., M. 0. Aronsten. Cr Elliott drew attention to what appeared to be sewage lying in the water channel near the Fo?t Office. The Engineer was left to deal with the mater. The matter of affixing lights to barricades erected around new road work in High Street was also referred to the Engineer. Cr Morris brought the matter up. WHY IS SANDER & SONS PURE VOLATILE EUCALYPTI;] EXTRAC'I superior to any other Eucalypti Product ? Because it is the result of full experience, and of a special and careful process of manufacture. It is always safe, reliable and effective, and the dangers of irresponsible preparations which are now palmed off as Extract are avoided. A death was recently reported from the use of one of these concoctions and in an action at law a witness testified that he suffered the most cruel irritation from the application to an ulcer of another, which was sold as "Just as good as SANDER'S EXTRACT." Therefore, beware of sucb deception. Remember that in medicine a drop that cures is better than a tablespoon that kills, and insist upon the preparation which was proved by experts at the Supreme Court of Victoria, and by numerous authorities during the ast 35 years, to be a preparation of enuine merit, viz: THE GENUINE SANDER' AND SONS PURE VOLATILE! EUCALYPTI EXTRACT.

EE£K2!F!HiI!!SSS^^

Mr J„ Parrell, advance agent fop Madame Ada Crossley, was in' Masterton yesterday arranging for - the famous singer's recital in the Town Hall on January 13th.

The fine new pipe organ for the Knox Church, Masterton, is to arrive in Wellington by the Cornwall, due at the capital city to-day. It is expected that the organ will be ready for use in a month's time. An exDert organ builder from Christchurch (Mr Pearce) hay been intrusted with the work of erecting the instrument.

The recent rains and rough weather have had the effect of cleaning up the roads splendidly. The dust and small gravel has disappeared, and the present state of the roads is one that is appreciated byt he travelling public, and more particularly by cyclists and motorists.

"Time mends all things," and the extensive boulder bed, thoughtfully provided by the municipal authorities in Upper Cole Street, is slowly but surely wearing away. In the course of time the amusing: spectacle of pedestrians, cyclists, hacks and sundry vehicles all using the one and same footpath, in order to avoid coming in contact with the boulders, will t>e a matter of history.

Mounted rifle volunteers are to be all armed with the short regulation Lee-Metford rifle, most of the Southern corps having already received their issues of the latest small arm. The last consignment is now in the hands of the Government armourers, who are cleaning them ready for issue to mounted rifle corps that are not already armed with them. The outstanding feature of the rifle, apart from its shortness and effectiveness as an arm, is that the whole of the baiTf! is encased in wood, sn that it is not, only protected, but does not communicate its heat, when much used, to the left hand of the soldier.

A plucky rescue of a lad from drowning and one which deseives recognition in the proper quarters was effected by Mr J. Arthur, of Masterton, on Monday. A lad named Stinson, about 13 years of age, was seated on a springboard located near the confluence of the Wnipuua and Ruamahanga rivers. Both the streams were in high flood at the time, and young Stinson by some means lost his balance and fell into the Waipona river. Mr Arthur happened to be fishing near by, and hearing the lad stream, and also the splash, he at once went to Stinson's assistance. The latter had drifted into about eight feet of water, and Mr Arthur, with his fishing waders on, plunged into the river and brought the lad to land. Had Stinson reached the Ruamahanga river, which he very nearly did, he -would almost certainly have been drowned, so turbuleuc was the current.

It is announced that the Victoria Railway Commissioners intend to put a stop to the practice of seats in carriages on all lines. Of late inconvenience has) been caused at the Spencer Street station (Melbourne) by the holders of platform tickets, when seeing friends olf, taking up seats in departing country trains, with the object of ensuring for their friends a comfortable ride. The regulation says:—"No shall enter or attempt to travel in a railway car unless provided witn a ticket for the journey." This ia to be enforced, and tne department will take proceedings througn me courts if necessary against offenders. It is urged by the officers that no fair estimate of the accommodation that is required on a train can be ascertained whilst non-travellers are occupying seats, and thut it also results in overcrowding in some portions of the train, whilst other cars have comparatively few passengers in thera.

A considerable number of complaints have been made 10 the Wellington police of late by persons who have had their pockets picked. The favourite places for the pocketpicker to work' tre at the various houses of amusement, notably the Town Hall, at the railway stations, and on the wharf proper, and the ferry wharves. Several fairly good hauls have been mace by the operators, who generally make for the trousers pockets of male members of the community. One resident was eased of a sum cf £4(l at the railway station, and f> jeweller's assistant had £lO extracted from his hip pocket whilst making his way through the crowd which gathered at last Sunday night's concert at the Town Hall. Various other lossas of smaller sums have been reported. Investigations made by the police have elicited the fact that a gang of four expert and well-known Sydney' pickpockets are operating in the city, and citizens would be well advised in taking special cara of their money when they are in a crowd. In a Hohart telegram, dated December 22, the Melbourne "Argus" thus quote:- Mr T. A. Tarbart, Chief Inspector of Stock for Tasmania:— "Tnis drought is becoming serious. The condition of the country is such through its long continuance that the marketing of sheep is seriously affected. Owners who are desirous of purchasing are unable to do so, on account of the scarcity of grass and water. Sheep that were offered for sale at Epping on the 16th met with poor competition. One owner who submitted his sheep informed the auctioneer that he did not intend to take the sheep home again; that if they were not sold he would again turn them into the road. These were young sheep, but they brought only 2s Bd. The first bid was Is 3d. A prime lot of wethers from some stations realised 5s Bd—sheep that last year would have brought frjm lis to lis Gd." IDEALISE YOUR HOME. Teach your children the piano. Do not let them grow up with vain regrets that they did not have the opportunity when young. Thi.'ik of the future. The purchase of a piano may seem a big item, but really, nowadays, things have been made so easy that everyone may possess an instrument, and (•■!■ nidi simple terms that the sum each week is never missed. 'the Dresden Piano Co., Ltd., Wellington, will gjvu you the most superb piano for a sn au some down, and thereafter monthly payments of from 20s. Think ! In a short time the instrument will be your very oivn—and what an inexhaustible source of pleasure it will prove to be. Do not delay another day—write to Mr M. J. Brookes, the North Island manager, or ' see the local representative, Mr T. B. Hunter. &

An American commercial school "principal recently sent out a hundred ■circulars asking prominent business men whether it was not a waste of •energy that could well be avoided to continue adding the doubtful sentiment of "Yours faithfully," etc., ta business letters. The majority of the answers were favourable to the retention of the kindly if not always sincere phrases. The most notable exception was that of a fairly wellknown writer, who suggested that for the sake of consistency business letters should end "Yours financially." American business people have not yet decided to carry out candor to a logical conclusion.

About the end of August last an old blind man, who may be seen daily playing an organ at the Octagon, Dunedin, had collected coppers to the amount of £5, and desiring to convert the money into notes or guld, sent a youth with it lo the bank for that purpose. The youth did not return, although it was discovered he had received gold for the coppers at the bank. The police were communicated with, but nothing could be heard of the missing youth, until he was arrested at Christchurch, on Sunday, on three charges of theft. He appeared at the Christchureh Court, afid was .sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each charge.

Mr H. Wilson, of Clarkville, this season has found that a white potato which he obtained from Mr White, of Addington, from imported tubers, has produced blue and white tubers. Last year, says the "Press" he observed in th? crop that one of the white potatoes had a bluish streak in it, but this season, while some of the roots show the white potatoes of the same variety as the original tubers, other roots have produced an occasional potato of the original white kind, and other tubers of the same type but with blue splashes on the skins. At present Mr Wilson supposes the change noted is due in some way to the white crop having been plantsd on land which last season had a crop of olue Derwents.

There still continues to be a misunderstanding in regard to the three days' residence required under the Marriage Act. The definition of the residence clause by the RegistrarGeneral is that fractions of a day do not count, the complete day being computed from midnight to midnight. In the case of a young Lnchenvar arriving, say, at mid-day on Monday to claim his "ladye faire," his first day's residence would not be completed, according to the Act, until midnight on Tuesday, consequently legal ownership could only be established on the following Friday. A disappointing bridegroom is now in our midst waking for Friday, says the Dunedin "Star." It is sad thus to see youthful aspirations disconcerted, but the law was ever a slow-mov-ing, cold-blooded machine.

A drunken swagger made a sensation at Tirnaru on Tuesday morning, states the Timaru "Herald." He said to a number of man at Caroline Bay: "Good-bye, boys, I'm tired of this world," and, having thrown off his coat, walked down to the sea, \<\y down in the water. The man was about thirty years of age, and had apparently been drinking heavily. He was observed going on to the bay below the railway viaduct, where he put down his swag, had a drink from his billy, > iT! d made tne above remark. He was too drunk to wade out into deio water, but was far enough out from the shore for the waves to rcli him about, and must have been dro.. tied had he not been observed. The caretaker of the bay and another man named Evans, at once went down and pulled the hypochondriac out. of the wave?. The police were telephoned for, and took the man, who was quite helpless from the effects of alcohol and water, to .-ie s-.fety of a'police cell, where he .'as provided.with blankets Until his own clothes had recovered from the soaking to which he had subjected them.

A strike took place recently among the paupers at the Nottingham Workhouse, thirty able-bodied men refusing to work because rhe breakfast porridge, a3 they alleged, was sour. A Black Maria was sent for, and fourteen of the men were driven to the Police Court.- They were a merry band as th'jy passed through the city. Loud cries of "Are we down-hearted?" were raised, hymns —including "Work, for th* night is cominer" —were chanted, and choruses of the latest music-hall songs were lustily sung. The prisoners packed in tl'.e dock, and after the workhouse master and porters had told the Bench that the porridge was good, the prisoners kept up a fire of cross-examination and evidence for an hour. One, who had been a lawyer's clerk, caused amusement by his keen questioning on legal points. The magistrates said it was a disgrace that such strong young men should be in the •workhouse at all, and sentences varying from twenty-one days' to six weeks' hard labour were impased.

It is stated that His Majesty iKing Edward desires the National Anthem in future to be playe-1 in quicker time. In future the tempo must be between 80 and 84 crochets a minute, and this is generally approved by bandmaster?. This is considerably faster than it has usually been performed by the "crack" military bands, and put inlo time value it means that the playing of one verse will occupy juHt half a minute, whereas previously, when there was no standardisation, it would take sometimes forty seconds. A prominent bandmaster was asked by a Lcndon "Daily Chronicle" reporter what effect this new order would have. "I think it is an excellent idea," was the reply, "and I have the best reason for thinking that the suggention for a standardisation of the time came from the King. One must often sympathise with him in having to listen to the National Anthem performed in various ways by different regimental bands. His Majesty might go a step further and order a revision of the text of the three verses."

Xmas fair now on at Mrs Mathewson's. Special reductions in smart millinery foa the holidays. A very special line of useful and pretty hats with scarf and quills at 10s 6d. Bargains in blouses, readymade muslin and cambric frocks, under skirts, ties, gloves, etc. All lines speci■ally marked for our Xmas trade. Mrs Mathewson, Melbourne House, Lambton Quay (opposite Bank of New Zealand), Wellington.

The directors of the Workers Mutual Benefit Building Society met on Monday evening. Mr Krahagen was elected Chairman for the ensuingvear, and Mr Prentice Vice-Chair-man. Messrs Krahagen, Prentice and Ewington were appointed valuers for the year, and Mr W. M. Easthope was elided directors' auditor. A discussion took place on the proposal to amalgamate with the Workmen's Friend Building Society, and eventually te*rr.s were agreed upon, which will he submitted to the directors of the latter Society for their approval or otherwise.

Willliam Pelett, an old man of 6S years, dropped dead in trre Fitzroy Court'on Saturday, December 19th, says the Melbourne "Argus," as he entered it to amvser a charge of vagrancv. Constable Dwyer had seen him at dusk on Friday evening sitting in Alma Street. He told the constable that he was homeless, and wanted to be looked up. He was a gardener, and bad children in New Zealand. He had been an inmate of the Benevolent Asylum two years ago, and wanted badly io go there again. Constable Dwyer took him to the watchhouse and charged him with vagrancv, and on visiting him on Saturday morning was told that the night's rest had made him feel better? Constable M'Farlane gave him broakt'ast, which cheered him up still further. Than came the time 'tor the hearing cf the ease. Constable Dw.yer helped the old man up the steps to the court, and just as thev entered Pellett fell bac:< into his'anns, cUati. Dr Wheekr, who was in court, after a brief examination, found that the cause of death was heart failure.

Three charges of uttering valueless cheques were brought against David Henry C'arvasso, alias Carver, a young mar, of respectable appearance, before Messrs Peter Hutson and John Hutcheson, Justices of the Peace, at Wellington yesterday morning. Carvasso pleaded guilty to two charges. According to his counsel (Mr Meredith) Carvasso, formerly a clerk in a good billet, had fallen on evil days. He had been roaming the country districts in search of employment. Farming he had attempted, but without success, and, in actual want of food, he had used his clerical experience to rciss money by valueless cheques at Mauriceville and Palmsivton North. In each case the sums were small, and were expended in the purchase of actual necessities and the payment of arrears of board. The Bench decided that if there had been only one instance they might hav? considered leniency. On two charges Carvasso was setenced to three months' imprisonment in terms concuirent; in the third (uttering valueless cheques at Maryborough) he was remanded to appear at Masterton on the Bth January. "in Shanghai, in January, 1909," writes the Shanghai correspondent of the "Tung Wah Times," Sydney, "there is to be held an International Opium Convention. The forerr.ost question to be discussed is China's effort to supress the evil." Some time ago the British Government promised that if China made a sincere effort Great Britain would cease the Indian export of opium. The British Government has published an official re port by Mr Leech, Councillor of Legation at Peking, on the progress that is being made by China herself in. the matter of suppression; This report is almost wholly a record of progress. Mr Broomhill's report also explodes the charges of insincerity that have been made against the Chinese Government in the matter of opium reform. Mr Broomhill states:—"Let us at least give the Chinese Government credit, or temper zeal with discretion, and erase the use of such expressions as 'sincerity,' for in our heart of hearts we know it is nothing of the sort " The eradication of the vice will take months to accomplish, perhaps years; but it is to bt noted that in a matter in which foreigners are not concerned, in which they have brought no pressure to bear, China has of her own accord put the axe to the root of the tree, and despite powerful financial considerations has decided that the morality of her people is the firsc care of the Government of China."

Referring to the rumour of the cessation of the boycott against Japanese goods on the part of the Chinese, Mr Lee Chun, president of the Lin Yik Tong Society, said to a "Sydney Morning Herald" reporter that he had received no information from Canton, the centre of the movement, that the boycott was off. He stated further that the local Chinese residents, the Lin Yik Tong, and Chinese merchants' societies are determined to stand together, and not waver in any direction until Japan sees fit to make some reparation for the humiliating way it treated China over the fatsu Maru incident. The local Chinese cannot declare the boycott off, he states, until the decree comes from the headquarters. Then those who have identified themselves with the movement in Sydney must call a public meeting, and at that meeting opinion must be unauimous in favour of discontinuance before the boycott reaches finality. The Chinese residents of this State, added Mr Lee Chun, say that thay must ignore all statements coming from certain quarters that the boycott is off. The only information that will influence them must come from the official channels of the National Boycott Association at Canton. A reward is offered for the recovery of a gold slee\e-link. A brown hack lost from Pahiatua on Saturday last is advertised for. The Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club have decided that in future they will dispense with the second payments on theAshhurst Guineas. Messrs Drought and Payne, land agents, Auckland, advertise particulars of four good farm properties ranging from 140 acres to 1,360 acres, situated in the Northern district. Tenders are invited to close on Thursday, 14th instant, for the purchase cr lease of section 26, Whangaimoana, containing 120$ acres of first-class land. Conditions of tender can be seen at Messrs Pain and Kershaw's store, Pirinoa, or at the residence of Mr J. F. Heckler, Managamahoe.