LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3151, 31 March 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

In our issue of Monday, March 22nd, we publicly challenged our local contemporary to definitely decide the question of circulation in the following terms:—"We are anxious that a competent accountant should make an investigation into the circulation of each of the Masterton papers, for the purpose of publishing a sworn statement as to which paper has the largest circulation, and by what percentage the circulation of the one exceeds that of the other. If our contemporary will agree to such a proposition we will donate the sum of £lO to the Masterton Hospital. The Government subsidy on donations is 245. in the £, consequently our contemporary has only to agree to what is a manifestly fair proposal, and the Hospital funds will be the better off by £22." In order to dodge the real issue, our contemporary in its issue of March 23rd, asks for a wager of £SO aside, circulation to be decided over a period dating twelve months back, from March Ist, 1908, to March Ist, 1903.

The offer we made to our contemporary was an absolutely fair oi*e.

It is not a question of big bets, but big circulation, that advertisers are

interested in. We give our contemporary another opportunity to answer a straightforward question. Is it prepared to permit an accountant to go into its office and certify what its circulation is NOW, provided we permit the same accountant to investigate and certify as to the circulation of the Wairarapa Age, the enquiry, if the accountant considers it necessary, to be over a period of three months, from, say, January Ist to March 31st, 1909. The question to be answered is "yes" or "no." We do not know whether or not the circulation of our local contemporary during the last twelve months has increased, but we do know that the circulation of the Wairarapa Age has considerably increased during that period. In any case, we are quite prepared to abide by the decision of a competent accountant, as to what the respective circulations are to day. Our circulation has not remained stationary for twelve months. If our local contemporary has the "largest circulation of any , paper published in the Wairarapa," we shall be the first to congratulate it upon such a distinction. In its issue of yesterday our local contemporary states that our proposition is "unseemly controversy," which of course it is not, but if it is, our local contemporary has provoked the whole discussion by its own action, and in any case why shuuld it be afraid of the truth? Surely the truth ia not unseemly.

A movement is on foot to form a Bush Districts Ladies' Hockey Association, and a meeting of delegates will be held at Pahiatua shortly to discuss the matter.

Mr H. Burling, junior, has disposed of his farm on ilutewai road, Haunui, to Mr R. Thomas, subject to the approval of the Wellington "Land Board.

About 35 members of the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles intend going into camp at Oringi at Easter. They will leave Eketahuna on April Bth.

What is said to be a fairly rich coalmine has been discovered on the hills near Featherston. The seam is good coal, and is about five feet in thickness.

The balancesheet in connection with the Farmers' Union Show at Eketahuna shows that the receipts 'amounted to £ll4, 17s 3d, and the expenditure to £lO6 5s 7d, leaving a credit balance of£B lis Bd.

Arrangements are being made for a triangular shooting match between the Tararua Rifle Club, Alfredton Rifle Club and the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles, writes a correspondent.

It was decided last evening at the Borough Council meeting to inform the Technical School Managers that subject to their providing a lantern hood the Masterton Farmers' Implement Company were prepared to present them with a post, and the Council would place the standard in position, provide the necessary leads and supply gas free of charge.

The following team will represent the Mauriceville Rifle Club in a match against the Alfredton Rifle Club at Alfredton on Saturday next, writes our Mauriceville correspondent:—Captain R. F. Wilton, Riflemen P. W. H. Knmmer, C. Blewett, A. Larsen, R. C. F. Dagg, A. M. Rose, R. A. Wilton, E. H. Dagg, A. A. Dagg, T. F. Brenchley.

At the annual meeting of the Eketahuna Ladies' Hockey Club the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mrs b\ C. Turnor; VicePresidents, Mesdames N. Nelson, P. Nielson, Bray and Tripe; General Committee, Misses Walk«r, Torwick, Grey and Hughes; Captain, Miss A. Anderson; Miss Kershaw; Secretary, Miss Seymour.

The committee set up in connection with Dr. Hosking's memorial bath scheme reported to the Borough Council meeting, last evening, tint they had visited the park and selected alternative sites. The Borough Engineer had been instructed to interview Dr. Hosking with a view to obtaining his aproval of the sites and to prepare the necessary plans and specifications for the work. The report was adopted.

As the rapid disappearance of the weka has been a source of deep regret to everyone interested in the preservation of New Zealand fauna, it is comforting to know (says the "Otago Daily Times") that there is a possibility of the pert little fowl not becoming altogether extinct. A member of the Council ol the Otago Acclimatisation Society, at Friday's meeting, said that the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie had told him that he had, when in the Milford Sound district, given the conditions of life of the weka some study, and as a result of his observations he believed that the bird was, if not increasing, at least holding its own, (despite the dspredations of its relentless imported enemies—the weasel and the stoat.

A match between the Tinui Mounted Rifles and the Whakataki Rifle Club was fired on the Mangapakeha flange, on Saturday last, writes a correspondent The ranges were 200, 500 and 600 yards. The day was all that could be desired for shooting, and the Rifle Club won by 37 points. Some very good scores were, registered, some of the highest being:— Sergt. H. Schoficlct 98, Rifleman G. Groves 97, Sergt. E. Schofield 96, Rifleman D. Speedy 95, Rifleman N. Groves 94, Rifleman McLeay 93, and Pvt, B. Schofield 80. The ladies very kindly provided afternoon tea on the range, for which they were accorded hearty cheers. After the match the Mounted Rifles entertained their opponents at a sumptuous repast at the Tinui Hotel, where a very pleasant evening was spent. A return match is likely to be fired shortly, probably after the Easter Encampment. The match will count as a trophy match for a silver cup presented to the Club by Mr H. O. Toogood, of Kohiwai.

A dividend of one shilling per share has been declared in connection with the Worksop Dredge, and will j be payable to-day. ' The Eketahuna Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union has a membership of 57. an increase of 21 as compared with the previous year. The Maskelyne and Devant season at the Town Hall wps brought to a conclusion last evening, when a large audience witnessed the excellent entertainment provided, and were most liberal in their applause. A line of 1,000 2, 4 and 6-tooft half bred ewes "passed through Masterton to day, their destination being the South Island, where this class of sheep should command a ready sale. The sheep are from lea station, and are being consigned through Messrs Dalgaty and Co.. Ltd. A man, named William Cress was arrested at Masterton yesterday, in a charge of having obtaineed a horse, a double set of harness, and a brake valued at £SO, froai William Pryor Simpson by false pretences with intent to defraud. He was brought before Mr Eli Smith, J.P., yseterday, and wa3 remanded until April Bth. The Borough Engineer reported at the Borough Council meeting last evening that with weather conditions favourable he hoped to havi the tarmscadamising of Queen street finished by about the middleofApril, -, & Kuripuni street was well toward completion, and Makora street extension had been commenced. He anticipated comleting both works about the same time as the Queen street work. The ordinary meeting of the Masterton Fire Brigade was held last evening, Superintendent Jenkins being in the chair. Three months leave of absence was granted to Fireman J. O'Leary, Fireman B. Braggins, senior member of the team" that visited the Auckland Demonstration, presented Superintendent Jenkins on behalf of the team with a fountain pen as a mark of esteem. The recipient suitably responded. At a meeting of the Masterton Borough Works Committee an application was received from the Secretary of the Association asking: for a refund of the sum of £lO 30s paid for the use of the Park on St Patrick's Day on the ground that the sports were not held, and the return of the deposit of £lO. The committee recommended that in the circumstance the refund asked for be made. The largest estates of deceased's persons in the Wellington district finally certified for stamp duty this month were:—Mary Ann Wr.yte, £5,109; Stephenson W. Lockwood, £3,165; Barbara McLeod, £2,826; Colin McLachlan, £2,461; Martha Wright, £2,625; Robert Steele, £2,237; Wm. Geo. Rains, £2,172; Eliza Taft, £1,996; Duncan McKen7ie, £1,314; John Craig Lascelles, £1,225; Agnes Boyd, £1,214; Harry Kruse, £1,162; Georee S. Heard, £1,119; John Ritchie, £1,014; Andrew Thomson, £942; Edward' W. Clemens, £826; Henry J. Lepper, £695; Sarah C. Craig, £632; Maria C. Forsvth, £632, Fredk. H. Krebs, £586; Wm. J. Watson, £503. The quarterly summoned meeting of the Masterton 1.0. R. Tent was held in the Dominion Hall Isst evening, Bro. Temple, C.R., presiding over a large attendance of members. One new member 'was initiated. \ Business of a routine nature was transacted. A committee was appointed to select a team to take part in the seven-aside football tournament, which has been arranged by the Friendly Societies' Council to take-place on the Showgrounds on Saturday, May Ist. the proceeds to be devoted to the Hospital Sunday Funds. An amusement committee was also set up to devise ways and means of making the meetings more attractive to members. Easter excursion fares are announced in another column. . j A pair of lady's shoes, lost between Queen Street and the Upper Plain School, are advertised for. The bay gelding Aberration will be offered for sale on the Masterton racecourse by Mr J. R. Nicol. Mr W. H. Cruickshank advertises particulars of two excellent properties which he has for lease on easy terms. Entries for the handicap events to be run at the Kopuaranga sports meeting on Easter Monday close with* . the Secretary, Mr G. A. Donovan, on Saturday next.

Winter boots for all ages and of best quality are being opened at the W.F.C.A. Evening warm slippers are in full supply.'

Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., have, to hand new li nea in dress and blouse materials for the winter seaecn. The firm invite inspection of their new season's goods. Mr J. R. Nicol will sell under instructions from the Deputy Official Assignee the whole of the machinery, cimber and other stock in the estate of J. McKenzie. The sale will be held at the furniture factory, Mauriceville.

Mr J. R. Nicol will sell at the residence, Cornwall street, this afternoon, the whole of Mr W. H. Buttrey's furniture and effects. The property, consisting of six-roomed house and three sections of land, "will be sold previous to the listed goods.

Those desirous of taking liquid refreshments with them to the Masterton Racecourse to-morrow and Friday are notified that Mr T. Porter of the Club Hotel, is prepared to make up suitable hampers. Particulars are advertised on page 1 of this issue.

Messrs John Graham and Co. are now showing their new season's importation of jackets, muffs, furs, blousa flannels, heavy dress tweeds, and a very fine range of the latest Parisian and London models in millinery.

Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., can always be relied upon to make a good showing in every branch of their drapery and clothing business, but at the present time they display a particularly attractive selection of blouse materials, which ladies should make a poant of inspecting. Ladies' neckwear in great variety is also shown.

The name of AYLMBR'S, WiJLw Wellington, is synonymous with nerfr. - tion m the art of Millinery. Lad ea write for a selection on approval. L'osigns by every mail from the leafcufc Lonton and Pi j is houses.

A very fine exhibit of smart winter coats is now being displayed at Mr J. L. Murray's in the Exchange Buildings. For the races to be held this week the goods shown describes the 'correct coat to wear. A prominent feature is the new silk lustrene ■coats. This material is not merely a standard fabric. It is a progressive and highly advanced fabric. It possesses an unusual delicacy and refinement of texture and more beauty of ' style and cslor range than has ever been shown at a like price in any line of similar fabricss. Mr Murray .invites the ladies of Masterton ?to go to the Exchange Buildings direct and get quality and ■value for their money at every purchase, where the best of Enelish aid •the pick of Continental goods are right undtr the eye. Mr W. Pauling 'a brother of Mr Jas. Pauling, of Masterton), who is ■sl particularly expert tailor and costumier, announce j on page lof this .issue that he will open in business in premises in the Central Chambers, next to Mr Frank Dupre's, in a ■ few day's time. Mr Pauling has had many years' experience as a cutter in some of the leading tailoring establishments in the South Island, and those entrusting orders to him can rely on getting a well finished, stylish and thoroughly dependable suit. Pending completion of alterations to tha premises taken by him Mr Pauling is prepared to take orders and to -execute sama promptly. The scores of Wairarapa patrons of the "Economic," Wellington, will be interested in the annual Easter .bargain inset distributed with this issue, for it gives very full particulars of the great values to be offered during the progress of the -sale. The management promises, and past experkncj has proved that their ■word can be relied, upon, that the whole of their immense stork of new "winter goods in conjunction with several hundred pounds worth of English manufacturer samples will fce offere! at considerably less than •«3ual prices. A perusal of the inset is sufficient to convince one and all of the truth of this. The sale opens •to-morrow (Thursday) morning.