LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3164, 15 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The members of the.Masterton Fire Police will hold a Church Parade next Sunday, at Knox Church, leaving the Fire Police Station at 10.45 a.m.

A special meetir.g of members of Court Loyal Enterprise, A.O.F/, will be held in the Foresters' -Hall this evening.

The ordinary meeting of the Masterton Fire Police was held last evening, Captain Dixon presiding over a good attendance of. numbers, One new member was elected, and it was decided to take part in the Hospital Sunday demonstration on May 2nd. Other routine business was done.

In a paper at the Chambers of Commerce Conference held in Wellington on Tuesday lasr, Mr A. B. Robertson, one of the Auckland delegates, said:—"Every effort should be put forth to prevent hordes of undischarged bankrupts being distributed all through the Dominion. He had heard it said that the present time there were hundreds,if not thousands, of such.

At a meeting of the Masterton Fire Brigade last evening, the enrolling of the members of the brigade, as provided by the Masterton Fire Board by-laws, to.ok place. The members of the Fire Police were also enrolled. Mr R. Brown, secretary of the Fire Board, was present carrying out the necessary arrangements in connection therewith. In the course of his remarks Mr Brown complimented thejjjbrigade on' the excellent work the members had done in the past, and said that no matter under what name the brigade existed they would, he was sure, do equally good work in the future.

In the Court of Appeal tne other day, Mr Justice Edwards had something to say on the subject of the consolidation of statutes. "The consolidation of statutes," he said, "has done this—it has provided plentv of work for lawyers. Former 1" Some of us knew!" or thought W6 knew, something about the law. Now we're quite et\l!B we don't know anything of It at ali. This consolidation ie purely for the good of the leg&l profession; it is not for the benefit nor convenience of the judges, because it has increased the labours of the judges to an enormous and outrageous extent. It is glaring, absolutely glaring."

In regard to the Hon. D. Buddo's statement that great difficulty was experienced in obtaining specimens of the paradise duck for Government sanctuaries, an Invercargill sportsman has informed a representative of the Southland "Times" that if the Minister would make it worth while he would undertake to provide the Department with a thousand ducks. The Southland "Times" says that the sportsmen are generally very dissatisfied with Mr Buddo's statement?. Whatever conditions with respect to paradise ducks may obtain elsewhere, they consider that the evidence as to their number in South land is overwhelming, and that there is no reason why they should not be available for spore this season. A number of shooting enthusiasts in Inveroargill intend to call a meeting to discuss the position.

Referring to the demand which the Registrar General has made on the Farmers' Union, in common with other registered unions, to furnish a return giving the names, addresses, occupations, and date of enrolment of all its members, the Farmers' Union Advocate, says that in some quarters this demand is regarded with disfavour, the , reason being a suspicion that the information sought may be used for questionable purposes. The paper ridicules the suggestion that the information so gained will be used against the farmer. "No Government," it says, "would dare use such information for political purposes. ... The Government has on no occasion, so far as we are aware, displayed active hostility to the union. On the contrary, it has, in numerous instances, lent assistance, particularly through the Agricultural Department."

The price of flour has been raised £1 per ton in Wellington. The price of bread will probably be increased in consequence. Five occupants of one of the Gis—borne hotels are suffering from ptomaine poisoning, supposed tD be due to the eating of tinned peaches. The patients were confined to their beds on Tuesday but are now improving. The Mother Provincial of the Brigidine Order of Nf / South Wales ■■■ and New Zealand wi.l shortly visit St. Bride's Convent, Masterton, which is a branch house of the Order. The visit is being looked forward towith much interest, as it is only made once in three vears.

Mr E. Hale, of the Wairarapa Nurseries, has generously donated to the Masterton A. and P. Association a fine assortment ot Pinus Muricata, Abies Excelsa arid Pinus Insignis trees for the new Sol way grounds. The trees have been planted out for the past twelve months, and are in a-forward condition.

The Chinese gardeners in South Dunedin, hearing of the retirement of Sergeant Conn from the police force,, presented him with a valuable pair of vases in appreciation of his attention to his duty in th 3 district In makirg the presentation, the spokesman said that while Serjeant Conn had had charge in South Duntdin the Chinese had been able to sleep w'thout fear of their gardens being plundered by mischevious youths. At the Masterton Police Court",yesterday, morning, before Messrs E. G. Eton and J. R. Nicol J's.P, charges were aeainst four first offenders for insobriety, and. three of them were each fined ss, fn' default 24 hours' imprisonment. Denis McMullen was charged with his fourth offence for drunkenness within the past six months, and was declared to be an habitual drunkard. The Bench addressed some severe remarks to on his consenting to che iggne of a pro . orc , er aga j nst himself, was I convicted and discharged.

A point of some interest to those concerned in industrial disputes cropped up at Timaru last week iir the hearing of the general labourers* ' dispute before the Council of Conciliation. It was pointed out by Mir Pryor, who appeared for the employers, that the parties to the dispute had not been cited. The Act had not been complied with. All that, had been served on the employers was a notice stating that a dispute existed, and notifying the appointment of certai'i persons to act as assessors on behalf of the ucion. Theemployers had not had an opportunity, ot appointing assessors. The formal opening of the seasonin connection with the Masterton i Golf Club will "take place on the links, at Lansdowne. on Saturday afternoon next. The committee has arranged for mixed foresomes play during the afternoon, and entries in connection with same are to be handed in by Friday evening next. The greens and the course proper are in splendid condition, and an enjoyable opening day is anticipated* Mr Clements, the golf p:ofeasional, who has baen engaged Ly the Club, is expected to arrive in Masterton this morning. The monthly meeting of the Trustees of the North Wairarapa Benevolent Society w<as held in the Exchange Buildings yesterday afternoon. There were present:—Messrs R. T. Holmes (chairman). J. Miller, W. Morris, Mesdames J. Cainn and R. Keene. Two or three applications for assistance were dealt with by the Society, and the relief asked for vvas granted. A comm animation wa9 received from the Masterton Hospital, asking for a refund of funeral charges in connection with pauper cases dealt with at the Masterton Hospital, the burden for some having been borne by the Hospital. Tne Secretary stat r d that as instructed ha had written to the In-spector-General for an opinion in the matter.. The pay-sheets for the month were Solway Home £3l 6s Id, and ordinary maintenance £32 14s 6d, which were passed for payment. The secretary reported that there were six inmates at present in the Solway Home. In the course of his monthly report presented at the meeting of the Board of Governors of the Cbristchurch Technical College last week, the chairman (Pr, Hight) said that a little hiove than a Jfcaf ago the In-spector-General was sent by the Education on a tour of inspection to Europe and America, and his observations and conclusions had latelybeen circulated in a very interestingand. instructive report. He showed that in expediture on continuation and technical education New Zealand was far behind other progressive countries, such as Switzerland and the.United States, even though the expenditure no other branches of , education might exceed theirs, and he urged that New Zealand must prepared to set aside a much greater proportion of the national revenue for the purpose of training our citizens for industrial warfare it they were to hold their own. If anything should influence the Government it should be the opinion of their expert adviser, and in the interests of the State it was urgent that if economies in buildings must be effected they should be in buildings other than educational.

Messrs George and Kersley, of the "Economic," Wellington, are selling the latest pattern collapsible gocarts at very low prices. An advertisement dealing with the subject appears on page 6 of this issue. ""~The inset circulated with this issue is worthy of careful perusal, for it deals with a monster sale of absolutely new season's goods to be held by Messrs Cole and Westerman, of Queen street, Masterton.. The firm finds that their Wellington premises are too small to accommodate the big shipments of goods--that have come forward. Cases of new importations are lyiner heaped up in their bulk stores. In order to, ease the pressure Messrs Cole and Westerman have sent forward unopened a great quantity of these goods to their Masterton branch, and sheetings, blankets, towels, damasks, men's and boy's clothinr, as well as a large quantity of smart attire for women—new paletots, coils.-and warm underwear—is to be offered at extremely low price*, A feature of the sale will be the Line of men's box suits—equal in every respect to-made-to-measure suits —which are to. be sold at ball the usual price-

During the month of March 2.99 aches of rain fell m Wellington, 2.36 inches falling on the 12th and 13th. Mr D. Mac Donald is a Vaccination Inspector for the district of Featherston, vice Mr ML Miller. Fifty-one estates of deceased persons were placed under the charge oi the Public Trustee during the month of March. The Fostmas'.er-General has forbidden the S2nding of money orders or postal packets to J. W. Kidd Company, Fori Wyne, Indiana. U.S.A. The session of the Grand Lodge of Good Templars opened at Auckland yesterday morning. The report of the Grand Lodge secretary showed a membership of 2,901 adults in the Dominion. International returns showed the membership throughout the world to be, 419,247 adults and 239,586 juveniles, an increase of 44,688 during the year. A general sale of household furniture and effects will be held at the Post Office Auction Mart on Saturday next. Returns under "The Land and Income Assessment Act, 1908," must be made on or before the Ist day of May next. A notice to occupiers of shops and factories is inserted in another CJlumn by Mr J. Georgeson, Inspector of Factories.

"Technical, Books" form the subject of an advertisement from Mr C. <3, Aitken, which appears in another eolumnV An experienced house-parlor maid is required by Mrs M. Caselberg, Worksop m"'' Masterton. Just abov.t now most 'householders will be noticing that an extra blanket id required on the beds. The cold, nippy nights have, arrived, and more feed covering is therefore required. f Be W.F.C.A. is selling a fine sample M blankets at a price that must command big sales. Travelling, tush and buggy rugs they have in endJess variety. A decidedly attractive window display of stylish millinery is made in Messrs Wat-nock and Adkins Maaterton shop at present. The millinery has just reached Masterton, and includes models from the best English and Parisian houses. The firm Is noted tor high-class millinery at reasonable prices, but the management promises exceptional bargains tfc those making purchases €dftrig the next few days. ■