LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3106, 1 February 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There were 21 births, 9 marriages, and 9 deaths registered at Masterton last month.

Two bankruptcies were recorded in Masterton last month, as against none tor January 1908.

At a special meeting of the Wairarapa South County Council, held on Saturday last, writes our correspondent, Thursday was appointed the statutory weekly half-holiday.

Tho name of AYLMEK'S, Willis-st. Wullington, is synonymous with perfection m tho art of Millinery. Ladies write for a selection on approval. Designs by every nnil from the leading London and Paris houses.

A restive horse in Queen Street on Saturday afternoon succeeded in breaking the shaft of the trap it was attached to, the incident taking place by the Exchange Buildings. Mo one was in the vehicle.

Lansdowne School will not be opened on the original date fixed owing to the furbishing not having been quite completed. The date will be announced later, and will probably be about Monday, Sth February.

Entries for the Masterton Show (exclusive of lace entries) closed on Saturday, when a very satisfactory list was received. The ditails will not be available until the whole of the entries close.

A settler of the East Coast states that during nis .32 years' residence on the Coast he has never seen a better season for grass than the present one. Tne country in the direction of Castlepoint is looking a picture.

Four rinks are coming up from Wellington to play a match with local bowlers on Thursday next. In consequence of this the green will be closed for play on Wednesday. A challenge from Carterton for the Grady medals will also be played on the green on the same day.

Mr J. T. M. Hornsby, of Carterton, is to conduct a class in elocution in Masterton in connection with the local Y.M.C.A. Mr Hornsby delivers an address to the members in the rooms on Wednesday evening. Already twenty-two pupils have been enrolled for the class.

A couple of sharp showers fell in Masterton yesterday afternoon, a thunderstorm occuning somewhere in the vickity of the town. In places quite close to Masterton no rain fell at all. The atmosphere all day yesterday was very rain will prove beneficial to the grass, though harvest operations may be retarded. The roof is now being adJed to the fitters' shop at the new gai carbonising works ac the Masterton railway station, that building having been completed so far as the brickwork is concerned. The work of filling in with eaith the space within the concrete foundations of the coalreceiving house has been occupying some time, but is now nearly finished.

A s-nart earth tremor was experienced in Masterton on Saturday morning, shortly after six o'clock. The shakt was preceded by the noise frequently associated with slight earthquakes, resembling the sighing of wind through trees. On the Upper Plain the shock was very distinct, and lasted about two seconds.

The battle cry in a crusade against defaulting ratepayers has been sounded with a vengeance by the Masterton Borough Council. On Saturday one hundred and fifty summonses for rates were handed to the Court bailiff for serviceeasily a record batch of such docufor Masterton. The whole of the cases are set down for hearing on the 25th inst.

Every rink on the old green at the Masterton Bowling Club's grounds was in use on Saturday afternoon, the number of players present being very large. Trophy matches were played as follow: — Doubles Championship: Lawrence and Hollings 22 beat Guild and Smith IS; Ashion and Cochrane 22 beat Elder and Pragnell 20. Handicap Singles: Cresswell 2'd beat a ßose 9; Ewington 19 beat Wilkes 18; W. Pragnell 29 beat King 13; Chamberlain 20 biat Elder 14.

At the young men's meeting of the Y.M.C.A. last evening, the Rev. J. N. Buttle deliversd a very fine address to a good attendance of members. At the strangers' tea the Kev. J. N. Buttle occupied the chair, and heartily welcomed five strangers at the tables. The two functions were very enjoyable and profitable. The announcement was made that an orchestra had baen formed in connection with the Association, avid thut it was intended to endeavour to procure the services of Mr R. 0. Jarrett as instructor to a gymnasium to be formed shortly in connection with the work of the branch.

The Rev. J. N. Buttle (missionary secretary) has just completed the annual bal nee in connection with the foreign Mission Fund of the Methodist Church of New Zealand. The special appeal on behalf of the Mission Boat Fund has met with a generous response, and this amount, together with the ordinary income, has raised the total revenue to the highest point yet reached. The ordinary income realised (£2,182 12s), being a small advance on the previous year. 'The special appeal for the Mission Boat Fund amounted to £729 lln Sd, with further promises for over £IOO. The increase shove 1907 account is £742 Ss lOcl. The Boat Fund appeal was made during the last four months, and when the depression which has affected the whole Dominion is considered, the results of the year's working eannr.t fail to prove satisfactory t.i those interested in the work. The Masterton contributions to the fund were as follows: —Ordinary, £29 17s; Boat Fund, £'S 5s l()d. The Mission Board in Sydney is expending a sum of £3,01)0 in the purchase of two vessels with auxiliary screws, one for the New Guinea Mission and the other for the Solomon Islands. The need lur these has been very pressing, and it is anticipated that the special appeal now being made in Australia and New Zealand will provide the total cost of the vessels.

Of the great piano makers, there is always one that can be most safely trusted to furnish the instrument required in any single case. The Dresden I'iano Company stocks the instruments of all the great houses. Before you. buy a piano, you will do well to profit by the Company's experience. And if you want to buy on easy terms., the Company will arrange the matter for you without any embarrassing conditions. In a wellordered house of this century, a piano is as necessary as a sideboard. Local representative. Mr T. B. Hunter.

White Muslin Frocks with daintv trimmed blouses and tucked skirts at 15s (3d, 18s Gd and 21s. White Lawn Dress Skirts, smartly made, at tls lid, 9s (id and 12s Gd. White Underskirts, 5s lid to lis fid. These prices are not an indication of the value of the goods. I am clearing these lines—whilst summer lasts—at prices much below usual. You should come and inspect them for yourself.—Mrs Mathewson, Melbourne House, Lambton Quay, Wellington (opposite Bank of New Zealand).

The Council of Defence baa notified that the designation of the New Zealand Defence Forces Rifle Association shall be changed to the "Dominion Rifle Zealand," as from date.

Inspector Miller, of the Department of Health, reported to the meeting of the Wairarapa South County Council, on Saturday 1 ist, writes our correspondent, that iavo cases of scarlet fever had occurred during the month in the County.

The Y.M.C.A. will hold their annual picnic on Thursday, February 4th, at Onaki, Messrs J. and A. Welch having kindly offered the use of a portion of their property for the purpose. A sports programme has beer, drawn up, and given a line day the ouling should piove an enjoyable one.

The following tenders were received at the meeting of the Wairarapa South County Council, on Saturday last, writes our Carterton correspondent, tor metalling (500 yards) on Brooklyn road: —W. Han sen, Is t!;i a yard (accepted); J. and N. Cadw-cilauer, IsGlri; Oliver and Henderson, Is Sd; Parson and Higgins, 2s 6d.

The fdlowing motion ij to be moved by Cr Hunter ac to-morrow's Borough Council meeting, notice having been duly given:—That in future brfore any woiks are commenced, the Borough Engineer be instructed to prepare a. detailed statement of such works, with plans where practicable, to b a submitted to the Council for its approval."

A meeting of the provisional directors of the Eketahuna Farmers' Cooperative Association, Ltd., was held on Friday. There was a full attendance, and the secretary reported that good progress had Deen made in canvassing the district. It was resolved that a meeting of the shareholders and intsnding shareholders should be held on Saturday, February Gth, at 2.30 p.m., in the Public Hall, Eketahuna, to receive the report oi the provisional directors, and to elect the directors, etc.

Herbert Bergstrom, who was remanded on a charge of stealing 202 sheep, was brought before the Palmerston North Police Court on Saturday morning, and further remanded till Monday week. Bail was fixed at £2OO and two sureties of £IOO each. The sheep sold by Bergstroin have been traced by Constable Tayler and Detective Qairke to the Balfour estate, Pahiatua. They were identified by the manager of the estate for whom the accused worked fur twtlve months. The police stated that other charge would probably be laid against accused. At the meeting of the Wairarapa South County Council, on Saturday last, writes our Carterton correspondent, a letter was received from the Masterton Councy' Council intimating chat they were prepared to assist to the extent of £ls 12s towards the erection of a swing-bridge over the Waingawa river. Cr Moore considered that each Council should contribute £3O, which with the Government grant would enable a bridge suitable for the conveying of stock over the creek to be erected. Tne cost of sucn a bridge would be £l2O. The Chairman and Cr Moore were appointed to wait on the Masterton County Council at their next meeting in reference to the matter. The last of the improvements and additions to the Masterton railway yards has now been completed, and the staff at the station is now reduced to the ordinary maintenance men. The time occupied over the improvemems, which were of a very comprehensive nature, was the best part of a year, and now that they are finished the yards are among the most commodious and best-appointed in the Dominion comparatively speaking. The fitting up of a large crane near the goods shed has just been accomplished. The difference in appearance between the old and the new yards is best visible in the increased road accommodation for horse vehicles, which has greatly relieved the congested appearance of the yards. The rit-w platform accommodation is also a very welcome addition to tfie station.

Sir Robert Hart, the veteran In-spector-General of the Chinese Customs, says that he once, in Pekin, sat out a banquet that lasted for seventeen consecutive hours. There were 125 cc urses, and he tasted them all. This would seem at first sight to take a lot of beating. Yet Mr Ward, the American envoy, who tried to intervijv the Emperor Hieng-i-'ung in 1559, tells how he was entertained to a dinner that lasted from noon one day until six o'clock on the evening of the day following. Ihe total number of courses is not given, but Ward mentions that he had to give in after partaking of 138 different dishes, "whereupon his hosr.s wondered grjatiy"—presumably at his .abstemiousness Probably, however, the Esquimo banquets last longer than any others, and the quantity of good swallowed is also proportionately greater. Kot-s, the explorer, records that seven of his party of natives once -ate continuously for thirty-three hours, during which time they consumed 200 ib of seal meat.

Mixed baching, of a kind, has cone into vogue at the Te Aio bath 3, Wellington, with the breaking of the barrier between the sexes for the purpose of alterations and extenions. Venturesome maidens swim out of their depth round the pile-driving punt and into the forbidden waters of the bath resened for the other sex. One line afternoon last week a trio of mermaids crossed the Rubicon, and, fraternising with three mermen, climbed the retaining-wall and sat sunning themselves there for an hour or so. Presently up sailed a small craft, which, manoeuvring alongside, took the gallant six aboard. Away went the yacht, with her company of lightly-clad passengers for a cruise in the harbour. Then, accoutred as they were, they plunged in and disported themselves in the deep for a space of a few minutes. The captain of the pirate vessel then steered on the homeward tack, and, returning to the wall, aided his fair passengers to disembark. They all resumed their marooning. The performance, with variations, is repeated daily, weather permitting. Effervescent Saline, purifying, refreshing, invigorating to all who suffer from sickness, headache, sluggish liver, etc. Price, 2/6, H. T. Wood, Chemist and Pharmacist (by exam,', Masterton.*

A quantity of Hawke's Bay plums are advertised for private sale at the Masterton Auction Mart to-day by Mr J. R. Nicol.

Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., announce special price reductions during this week—the last of their summer sale.

• Grazing paddocks in Pownall street, near the railwav station, are advertised to let. Conditions may be seen at the oiihe of Mr K. Brown, Queen street.

The W.F.C.A., in order to further reduce stocks, intend to make special window displays. The first display will consist of 200 pieces of dress stuffs, which are to be retailed at Is lid per yard.

A meeting of the various committees of bandsmen, collectors, and all who are prepared to assist the members of the Masterton South Brass Band at their forthcoming Bazaar are requested to meet in the Boxing Hall, Dixon Street, at 7.30 o'clock to-morrow evening.

Fair Faces Fa ireu.—- Ladies troubled with, growth of hair on faca, neck or army can permanently remove it by using "Violwt Snow Cream." It acts directly on tn» hair roots, and destroys their life. "Violet Snow Cream" is splendid for Blackheads, Wrinkles, Sunburn, etc., and is a guaranteed cure fir superfluous hair. Obtainable from H. T. Wood, Chemist, Masterton, for 'l/6, or send postal. note direct to Hem«ley Burnet, Hair Specialist, 45 George Street, Dunedin (All parcels sent in piam wrappers), Henisley Burnet's Hair Best' u>r for Gfrey Hair, 4/0.