TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3107, 3 February 1909, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

DEVELOPMENT OK SHIPPING. Wo cannot expect to popularise our Dominion with the enormous number of travellers who now journey about the world unless we can offer them the ordinary advantages of modern liners. Atlantic speeds and Atlantic tonnages are out of the question, but there is a vast difference between what is possible on the Pacific and what W2 have to offer. A wellequipped mail line service between Australia and North America, calling at Auckland, is well within the possibilities, remarks the "New Zealand Herald," and ought to be arranged for by the Government with the least possible delay.

CHEAP CABLE RATES. | \ large meeting has been held in Lon- J lon to advocate a great reduction in :able rates to distant parts of the Empire. "Among all the speakers of any weight there was but one opinion as to the immense importance to the , Empire of the proposed reform, and as to the extent to which increased facilities of communication between the respective populations—a? distinguished from the great mercan- | tile firms, to whom cost is a secondary consideration —would strengthen and preserve in Great Britain and her daughter nations the sense of common interests and a common destiny," says the London "Times." "The effects already produced by the cheanened postal communication between Great Britain and Canada, and especially by the cheap transit of magazines and other literature, were described as having transcended the highest expectations of those by whose exertions these reforms had been brought about; and the experience already gained seems to leave no doubt as to the results which, in a very short time, cheaper telegraphy might be expected to bring in its train." VANISHING WOOD.

How the public is affected Dy the increasing scarcity of timber is demonstrated in clever and startling style in the magazine "Success." The writer not only tells Americans i how wasteful their ovsn and other countries have been with timber, and how near at hand is a famine, but by making enquiries at furnishing establishments shows how the cost of household article has increased and will increase. "The chair you are sitting in is marked at 135 dollars," says one supplier of information. "Ten years ago you could have bought it for 7?." Another chair priced now at ten dollars will cost twelve next year, and over fourteen the following year. One expert estimates that for the next thirty years the raw material for his factory- will increase in price by at least ten to fifteen per cent, every year. A wooden I rolling-pin costs 18 cents, a glass j on.'! 50 C3nts, a china one at least a dollar. Neither of the two will ! last :is long as wool. "To sum it : u;> in a word," says an expert, I "where there is a possible substitute, as in a rn it >r frame, a metal spoon in place of a wooden one, a tin box in place of a firkin, you can count on a minimum increase of 300 per cent, in the cost. But no veal substitute has been found." A house that cost 5,000 dollars to-day, exclusive of labour, cost only 4,000 yesterday, and will cost 6,000 tomorrow, and psrnaps 12,00.) ten years hence. Kindling wood in Ne*York is dearer by two dollars a cord than it was a year. ago. "In parts of Greece, even in Thessaly," says the writer, "I have tramped for hours without finding enough wojd to start a camp-fire. The trees are cone. To-day Greece is practically bankrupt. Is this our future in America?" LOCAL AND GENERAL. Mr John Fraser. Government Valuer, has just completed devaluation cf the Carrington Estate, at Carterton. In all 22 sections will r;e offered to the public ranging from 75 to 650 acres. The ballot is exi) cted to take place about the middle of March. The early train from Wellington arrived in Masterton forty minutes late yesterday morning, in consequence of which the Masterton visitors to the Catholic picnic at Newman—between two and three hundred -—were that much late in arriving at the gathering,. An important match is to be playe' by a team representing the Masterton Bowling Club at Dannevirke on Saturday next, when a rink will leave to compete for the Dixon Cup Competition, a trophy of considerable value on account of the large number of clubs eligible to compete for it. The sub committees in connection with the Ambulance Bazaar have now all been set up, and will be in full swing from the present time onwards. The ladies' sewing bee meets regularly in Dominion Hall. The Singer Company have generously placed a sewing machine at the free disposal of the sewing bee. A visitor from Masterton to the Catholic picnic at Newman Domain, yesterday, considers that the function was far and away the mpst enjoyable affair held in the Bush for a long period. Very complete train arrangements had been made, the beautiful locality was looking its best, and those in charge of the appointments worked strenuously to insure the complete success of the gathering. The games and pastimes were of a most entertaining and exhilarating character, and the eight hundred children and adults who attended had a splendid outing. Mr Dowsett, and the chairman of the Domain, had gone to some trouble to hdve the grounds prepared for the important fixture. The picnickers spoke in high terms of the manner in which the Vcy liev. Dean McKenna and the Rev. Father T. McKenna worked to make the affair the success it was. Fair Fac.es Faibkk.—Ladies troubled with growth of hair on face, neck or arms can permanently remove it by using "Violet Snow Cream." It acts directly on the hair roots, and destroys their life. "Violet Snow Cream" is splendid for Blackheads, Wrinkles, Sunburn, etc., and is a guaranteed cure for superfluous hair. Obtainable from H. T. Wood, Chemist, Masterton, for 4/6, or send postal note direct to Ilemsley Burnet, llair Specialist, 46 George Street, Dunedin (All parcels sent in plain wrappers), Hemsley Burnet's Hair liestr ver *'or Grey Hair, 4/1).

During the month of January there were eight births, one death and one marriage iii Eketahuna. At the inquest held on James Sexton, aged 4J years, who was killed at Gladstone, on Monday last, through a wagon wheel passing over his head, a verdict of accidental death with no blame attachable to anyone, waj returned.

A. number of local farmers have j : ;one to Feilding Show, included imong whom are Messrs Bland Rayner, Ben Rayner, and W. H. Buick. Mr G. R. Sykes, Secretary 3f the Masterton A. and P. Association, is also visiting tne Shcrw. A programme of sports lias been arranged in connection with the Y.M.C.A. pic lie at Opaki to morrow. A number of trophies have been given by pro ninent business men, and an enjoyable outing is assured. The drags will leave the Y.M.C.A. Rooms at 10 a. ?i., 1.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. The insurance on the house and outbuildings at Upper Plain occupied by Mr J. J. Kimpton, and owned by Mr E. B. Waddington, which was destroyed by fire yesterday morning, was £4OO, the North British Office holding the risk. Mr Kimpton had a policy for £75 over in the South British Office. There is every indication that Knox Church will be filled to overflowing on Thursday evening to hear Mr Maughan Barnett open the new pipe j organ. The ore an is mow practically finished and ready for use. Mr Pearce, who has erected the organ, expresses himself as delighted with the of the instrument. The tone is rich, mellow and well-bal-anced. Though Irish blight Is said to have made its appearance an one or two crops adjacent to Masterton, no report to that effect has been made to the Stock Department's local I officials. It lis thought improbable that the disease, if any, is the true bligikt, the season having been so favourable for the propagation of a healthy oro.p. ! Two competitions will be held in connection with the Garden Party at | Mrs H. T.. Wood's on Thursday after- | noon next. 'One is a bed-making j competition, and the other a winding j wool competition, borh for men. ! Afternoon tea will be served by a j committee of young ladies, and music i will be supplied by Mr Boyes' orI cfciestra. The dearth of female labour is ■ again becoming an acute matter in Masterton, according to the remarks ! of a local bureau proprietor yesterday in conversation with an Age reporter. "We have," he said, "a ; book full of vacant positions and no ■one to applv for them." Ihe general unskilled labour market has ! improved appreciatively, according •to tne same authority, harvesting !"'and dairying being accountable for : this fact.

A painful accident befell a man named M'Lachlan, employed by Messrs Sinclair and Era Te Whaiti, at Lower Valley on Saturday. The unfortunate man was engaged fitting up a reaper and binder, the pole being tilted high in the air. When he was passing underneath it the pole slipped, and fell on M'Lachlan, grazing his head and tearh.g his ear off. 1 lie sufferer was attended ;»y Dr Palmer, asiu h progressing satisfactorily. A recommendation from the Gas Committee that the Borough Council be charged 5s per 1,000 feet for the gas used by it in future caused a discussion when the Gas Committee's report came up for confirmation at the meeting of the Council last evening. Tne Mayor said that if the proposal were adopted it would mean a transfer in the Borough accounts of nearly £BOO, which he thought an altogether too large a sum to be debited to the Council for its street lighting. He thought that the matter should be gone into very fully in Committee, and with that obiect in view he moved that the matter be referred to the Works Committee, where it could be ascertained whether the Council were being fairly charged for its street lighting or not. Cr Pragnell seconded the motion. Cr Elliott, Chairman of the Gas Committee, said that it would be found ttiat the charge was quite in proportion to the expenditure on the street lamps and unless the Committee ran the works on the lines now proposed the price of gas wguld not be reduced for years to come. Crs Pragnell and Haughey agreed with the Mayor's motion, > Ewington being in favour of the matter being d ; scussed there and then. After some further discushion the motion was carried unanimously. A fire at Wai.igawa yesterday, which received a double measure of support from the local firebells, had features in other respects which bordered on the burlesque. A settler's fences and a stack of his firewood were alight, and several fire police and firemen (the latter taking the "Jubilee" engine) went out to render "first aid" to the homestead, which was threatened. The brigade was minus a few feet of hose tu enable it to utilise the river water, and as there was only a limited quantity of other water to be got the firemen displayed quite unique originality. They filled the farmer's tubs with water and carried the fire to the water, instead of adopting the usual reverse procedure. The shade temperature yesterday was not exactly in favour of this method of fire extinguishing being found enjoyable. Soon tne water ran out, but an exploring fireman discovered a tank full close to the house. A rush was made to use this, but the farmer's wife sternly objected. "That water's for the boys to bath in when they come home," she intimated with emphasis. "And where Jfare the boys now?" it occurred to the fire captain to ask. "There in the paddocks yonder harvesting we couldn't take 'em away from that," was the reply. Thenvit occurred to the men who had been carrying burnt logs in a sweltering sun to save a settler's house that their time too, was precious, and they left the scene hurriedly, leaving the fire to put itself out. Prompt Delivery. Importers requiring immediate delivery of their goods cannot do better than entrust their Customhouse and Forwarding work to J. J. CURTIS and Co. Ltd., Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Efficient seivice and moderate charges assured.

Mr Hornsby will give a lecture on locution to-ni«ht' at the Y.M.C.A. looms in connection with the class hat he intends starting. Ail those nterested infelocution are invited to >e present. Without late entries to come the mtries for the Masterton Show are • ilraady a record. This will be ex;remely gratifying to the Associa;ion, as last year's entries were a •ecord for New Zealand. This year ;he fat classes are filled to an ex- • optional extent. There are still no tidings at Christchurch of the barquentine Rio Loge, and anxiety concerning her has increased considerably. It ii regarded as possible that she has been dismasted and driven off the coast. It is understood Captain Spence was. accompanied by his wife and two children. Reports from Naseby state that" farmers whose flocks numbered 2,000 prior to the recent snowstorm can now muster barely 1,000. One of the largest runholders in the Kyeburn district can now estimate his loss at 3,000 sheep, while the Kyeburn station will be about 8,000 shortwhen they finish shearing. Mr W. J. McMahon, touring representative of Canada's crack military band, arrived in town, last evening-,, to make arrangements for a grand farewell re-appearance of this talented combination. Since the inauguration of their New Zealand tour the ■ "Kilties" have visited every town of J note in the Dominion, arid have held- 1 successful concerts, as a result they have extended their tour for a further twelve weeks. They will appear in the Town Hall On Wednesday next, February ]oth. A matinee will be. held at 3 p.m. Regarding the new public bathsfor ladies to be erected at Masterton through the generosity of Dr. W... H. Hosking, the Mayor stated at last night's meeting of the Borough Council that the Council ha;l a scheme in view regarding the details, which were not yet ready to be published. The Council proposed to confer with the Trust Lands Trustees at its next meeting regarding the scheme, which had been formulated after a conference with Dr. Hosking, and when the matter had been finally settled the details would be available to the public. Some small hoys struck a patch at Mata creek, in the Thames district, | last week. They were, s-iys the | "Thames Star," bathing and enjoying | themselves in other ways, whefr one I of them picked up a stone that ap~ j peared to shine more than the others, j "Throw it away," said one of his ! companions; "it's no "I'm ; going to show if to father . anyi how," said the cautious finder, and ; it was well he did so, for the stone : proved to be a nice little nugget of gold. On previous occasions aliuvial gold has been found in the Mata district. and old prospectors say to this I day that a valuable find will yet be ! made ori the ranges along which the ! river winds its course.

A sensation wa's created throughout Rowan on Monday evening* (writes the local correspondent of the "Hawera Star") when the news was spreads that a man (unknown) was travelling the roads armed'with a re» volver and a bag of bullets. Howmany shots he fired before reaching Rowan the writer could not say, but at about 5 o'clock he took his stand on the Manaia road near the OpunakeStratford road, and freely used his diabolical weapon. Hp fired about 20 or-30 shots round about him, some ill the ground, others at trt-p, some in the banks, and fired several through a hedge at a resident's house, but luckily none took effect. After he had been firing for about an hour or so he jumped on a bicycle and made off towards Stratford. Several men were watching him, but they vere unable to approach birr, as they were not armei to their satis faction. Concerning the robbery at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, on, Friday afternoon, the "Press" says:— "It is not known how the robber secured an entry.into the theatre, but it seems probable that he used the ?<.age dour, which is usually open during the afternoon. From there he wjuld make his way to the front part of the building, and gain the circle stairs without difficulty. The caretaker, who was in the building during the day, saw no one to whom suspicion could be attached. From the circumstarces of the robbery it appears to be prettv certain that the guilty perstn knew where tne money was kapt, as the other boxes, and the folding desk in the office were untouched. The heavy loss was a most unfortunate wind-up to Mr Bland Holt'sChristchurch season. The robb a ry is being inquired into by the Chief Detective, and his staff. The thief left practically no clue, and the money (some £330), being all in gold, will not be readily traceable.' 5 " "Don't run away with the idea thct the bushman does not read," said the Rev. T. R. Morgan to a meeting of the Bush Missionary Society at Sydney last week. "There are men in the country who can trace the pedigree of a horse back to the first Arab steed that ?/as foaled, and his sire back beyond that, to the Ark almost. but you will still find that he has time for other pursuits." Mr Morgan added that he had met a missionary out west who had sold a book to sujh an individual on a station. And what was the title? "Nature and the Supernatural." The young man said he wanted something hard-—something that would last him a long time—and he got it. Yet, strange as that was, it was stranger still that comparatively few Bibles could be found in many centres. "When the courthouse in a western town was opened," Mr Morgan remarked, "the whole place was searched, and not a Bible could he found on which to swear the witnesses. Eventually, as the policeman in search was giving it up, a townsman, after going through the customary habit of thumbing his temple to collect his thoughts, invited the officer to his house. "I remember when a traveller was found dead on the road last year.'said the townsman, 'a strange discovery was made. In his swag he carried a bible, and 1 believe I have it now.' A hasty search through a dusty garret revealed it, and on that Bible the first witnesses of So-and-So were • sworn," concluded the speaker." Effervescent Saline, purifying, refreshing, invigorating to all who suffer from sickness, headache, sluggish liver, etc. Price, 2/6, H. T. Wood, Chemist and Pha'uipcist (by exam,], Masterton.*

A thunderstorm of exceptional severity passed over Nireaha last Sunday evening, commencing at about 5 o'clock, writes our correspondent The river in half-an-liour was a raging torrent. As far as can be ascertained at present no damage 1 was done. An extraordinary theft took place at a house in Woolston lately. It bad been unoccupied for some time. When the owners went to it the other day they were astonished to find that the boiler and its fixings, i bricks, cement and all, had been ' taken out of the kitchen and removed. The house is an old one, ( but the thieves must have had a , great work in hand when they made ' Ihe theft. A traveller on the Main Trunk ( line says he was accommodated at , Taumaranui in a galvanised iron ' shed, about 20ft by 20ft, in which 25 other men also passed the night. Half the beds were without pillows, • and only one blanket was provided ;'> for each guest, but some of the 1 blankets;-were confiscated by early '< birds, and a number o? the sleepers 1 had no covering beyond their ■ clothes, though the night was bit- 1 terly cold. The charge for the ac- ! ommodation was 7s 6d, with or ] without breakfast. ! The gad-fly, a parasite which appears to be on the increase, has 1 been much in evidence lately in the 1 Buckland (Auckland) district. This 1 S 'ecies of insect, which, although < k own to have existed there in pre- 1 vi )U3 seasr.ns, is this summer attack- ; iiu the cattle in large numbers. Its ■ pr sence among the herds is apparent 1 by the animals running about in a 1 sta';e of great excitement, heads and < ne:ks extended, and tails erect. It 1 is noticed that the cattle most 1 affected by the pest are growing heifers which are in good condition. . There has just died in the village | of Overtown, near Wishaw, James ' Shaw, a working-man, who had an extraordinary reputation as an eye < specialist, says the "Westminster < Gazette"'. He was originally a col- ' liery engine-man, and workmen used J to resort to him in large numbers. < Indeed, many thousands of people y were successfully treated by him, 1 operations ranging from the re- ( moval of the simple "fire" in the workman's qtye to the healing of the most serious affection. On one occasion a man travelled all the way from New Zealand and had his eye put ristht by Mr Slia v. Up till his death hfi continued to despatch week- j ly large quantities of his special pre- j parations, .tor which there were ap- , plications from all parts of the globe. : A cook-laundress and a nursery- 1 housemaid are wanted for the Hutt. * Mr D, Ross, Maryborough, adver- j tises for a competent pit sawy«r. The. owner ot a canary, found in | Queen Street, is advertised for. Contractors, are wanted *to fell , 1,000 acres light bush in blocks of ] from two to four hundred acres. Messrs Graham and Co. advertise several specially reduced lin<?s which will be offered during the last few of their sale. A tomplimaiitiry banquet Will be tendered to the Hon. A, W. Hogg at Hukanui on Fridiy evening next. Tic-cets are obtainable from the hon. secretary (Mr N. M. Manson), Hukanui. Mr T. Peterson, dyer, late of Queen Street, notifies that he has commenced business at 107 Adelaide Road, Wellington., and solicits orders from Wairarapa clients. Benzoin Cream, a highly recommended skin food, particularly suited to the hot, dusty weather, can be obtained frorn Mr J. V. Gordon, Chemist, Queen Street. Creditors in the bankrupt es'a'.e of Mr Frederick Pearce, farm , of Featherston, ara notified that priofs of debt must be sent in to Mr W. B. Deputy Official Assignee, on or before February 20th. The auction sale of drapery and cbthing at Messrs Wamock and Adkin's premises, in Masterton, ■will be continued to-day at 2 p.m. Tne stock- consists of high-class goods, and the highest bidder takes •each article offered. On Saturday next Mr P. Hnmill will open a special sale of drapery and clothing in his Queen street premises. He has to quit the present stock to make room for new season's goods, and recognising that special inducements must be offered to the public to make purchases has decided -to cut down prices to practically half the original cost. The Arcadia dining and tea-rooms, situated in the Exchange Buildings, <Jueen street, are certainly amongst the best in town, 'i'hey are clean, well kept, with a first dass service and a cuipine that satisfies the veri■e3t epicure. The Misses Finnis are | the proprie resses, and they realise the importance of good meals, and by keeping this idea in view they are achieving a great success in their conduct of the "Arcadia." Afternoon tea <is daintily served with delicious pastry and scones. The name of Willis-st. Wellington, is synonymous with perfection m the art of Millinery. Ladies "write for a selection on approval. I. sums by every mail from the £ loading London and Paris houses. The next time you feel bilious take ,a dose of Chamberlain's Tablets and see how quickly the trouble will disappear. They cleanse and invigorate the stomach, ana give one a relish for his meals. They also regulate the liver and bowels. For sale by all chemists and storekeepers.