LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3176, 29 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A co-operative company has been formed amongst producers in Hawke's Bay for the better handling of their produce in the Home and Continental markets. A very large order for seeders has just been placed by the Massey-Harris Company with Mr J. C. Ewington, which will keep his engineering staff fully employed throughout the winter. Farmers are holding on to their oat yields in anticipation of better prices being offered during the winter months. The price at present ruling is Is 8d per bushel, whilst at this period last year 3s per bushel was obtainable.

Over fifty nun are ut engaged in reading operations on the lea Estate, East Coast, and it is anticipated that a further number will shortly be engaged in the erection of buildings. It is stated that the black swans introduced in the Chatham Islands about fifteen years ago are now present in countless numbers. A report says that last year 20,000 swans' e«fgs were exported from the Chathams to New Zealand.

Very little green feed is being grown in this district, as an abundance of ordinary pastures is assured. In many instances farmers are understocked, as they will not purchase in face of the high prices ruling for store stock. The secretary of the Masterton branch of the Navy League has received information from Mr Bert Royle, representative for Mr J. C. Williamson, that the dramn "The Englishman's Home" will be produced in Mabterton on September 29th.MBH ___

The directors of the Kaitawa butter'factory have decided to go in for cheese making in the future, and the necessaiy plant is to be installed as soon as operations for the present season cease. The following have been elected a school committee at Wangaehu tor the ensuing twelve months:—Messrs D. McKenzie (chairman), John James, John McKenzie, John McKay, D. Dempsey (secretary and treasUrer ). sjjjj-rja m-jsTj »ca -rasas *"C3e»..~/£*..3'"iZil?.

On Saturday last the Tararua Rifle Club held the second competition for the trophy presented by Mr Tripe, the leading scores being: Rifleman 0. A. Olsen, 54, ttifleman B. Alberthesen, 53, Rifleman R. Thomasen, 51, Rifleman C. Hucbstep, 47, Rifleman A. Petersen, 46, and Rifleman W. Watereus, 45. More men are now engaged at carpentering work in this district than has been the case for some months past. On a number of private contracts that he is carrying out, Mr G. E. Daniell is giving employment to a considerable number of carpenters, and the prospects are that their servI ices will be retained throughout the winter.

The benefits of telephonic communication with Masterton from outlying parts of the district is fast becoming recognised. A new line is to be erected from Masterton to the East Coast, via Weraiti and Stronvar. An order has been placed for the necessary posts, which are to be of jarrah, as well as five tons of wire. A tender for carrying out the work has been accepted. Is is said that a company is being promoted to guarantee the Government 3 per cent, on thf cost of building the Roxburgh railway, and that its resources are now assured. City men are responding to the invitation to participate, and the country folk affected are prepared, i! necessary, to subscribe the whole capital of £8.400. The Farmers' Union is now getting busy. Provincial Councils are to hold their annual conferences as follows:—Wellington, at EKetahuna, May 24th and 25th; Auckland, May 27th and 28th; and Canterbury, at the end of May. 'the National Conference is to be held in Wellington at the end of July, whilst Parliament is in session.

At the annual meeting of the Eketahuna branch of the JSlew Zealand Farmers' Union, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: —Chairman, Mr H. W. Bridge; vice-chairman, Mr B. Moriss; secretary, Mr R. J. McLean; treasurer, Mr A. Small; general committee. Messrs Dowsett, Hickman, Tumor, Moss. Matheson, Cittardini, Calton, Small, Scharenweber, Tomlinson, Scott, Neilson, and There are a fair number of. swaggers traversing the roads in the outlying parts of the Wairarapa in search of work. They are not of the "sundowner" claps, but principally immigrants who have reached the Dominion during the past month or two. Local labour agent 3 report that the supply of unskilled labour is still very much in excetss of the demand.

The othar night a young lady of Roxburgh was awakened by something running over her bed, and a sharp pain in her face. Upon getting up she found a weasel had climbed up the wall of the house and eatered at the window, the bottom sash of which had been accidentally left open. Blood streamed from the younsr lady's face, and it was discovered that the weasel had made two bites. Steps were at once taken to prevent any evil results, and the wounds have now healed up, though the marks are still plainly to be seen. A man named Crombie was nearly blown to pieces at Picton a few days ago. He was carrying a sack containing a charge of gellatine, powder, and detonators up the face of a hill on the western side, when he trod on water pipe and slipped. The bag fell, and he thinks a detonator must have struck his foot, causing an explosioji. Crombie had the presence of mind to kick the bag further away, and char of himself. The force of the explosion sent him down the hill, and, his clothes being afire, he dashed into the sea. The skin was taken off his face, hands, and arms, and his hair was singed and his legs scorched. Crombie is now in the local hospital.

An instance of the usefulness of the biograph as a means of education was presented in one of the Christchurch schools last week. The children, says the "I.yttelton Times," were to write essays on the process of rice-growing and culture, and one boy surprised the teacher by describing in accurate manner tha whole of the work from the preparing of the ground to the gathering of the harvest. The teacher was certain that the boy could not have assimilated so much information from the lessons that had been given on the subject, and inquired rather indignantly who had helped the scholar in the production of the essay, which was easily the best of the class. The boy assured the teacher that he had been helpe-j by no o*e, but had seen a film at a biograph entertainment that had shown the process just as he had described it. An advertiser desires to purchase a good grocery or general store business.

) The Imperial Picture Company brought their Masterton season to a i close last evening, before a large , attendance, when another excellei t. series of pictures was shown, the i audience being most demonstrativein their applause..

A disclaimer is inserted in another column by Mr Joseph H. Percy, of Bideford. A reward is offered for the return of a parcel containing white silk and lace lost in Q .sjen or Chapel, streets, yesterday. The Masterton County Council gives notice that the heavy traffic clause of the traffic by»law will come into force on May Ist. The Elite Skating Rink still continues to be well patronised by the public. The management announce that a brass band will be in attendance to-night. Prizes won at the Art Union in connection with the Band Bazaar may now be obtained at Mr T. McCracken's furnishing house, Queen street. Messrs Husband and Finch, land agents, of Woodville, will forward; their land guiie, containing a large--list of pronerties for sale to any address on application. Messrs W, B. Chennells and Co.. insert an advertisement on page 8 of" this issue, which is of more than passing interest to those in search of an investment in freehoid property. Mr W. Inglis Husband, land agent, of Pahiatua, has a first-class farm of" 120 acres, including stock, for lease. Particulars are advertised in another column.

At the Masterton Auction Mart on Saturday Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Mr P. L. Atkinson, Newman, the whole of his stock of books, fancy goods and stationery. The goods will be on view the day previous to sale. § A very fine window display of winter dress materials is on view in the Exchange Buildings at present. Thedisplay is notable both for quality and variety, whilst the prices are I certainly reasonable. Parents will also be interested in the special showing of children's clothing.

Settlement in the Tauranga district is proceeding apace, and land values are on the rise there. Messrs Norris and Bell, land agents, have scores of excellent properties for sale in that, locality, and they are prepared to supply particulars promptly to intending investors. Those in search of a safe and sound ! investment in freehold property in a locality where values will always be fully maintained, should carefully persue an advertisement appearing l on page 8 of this issue from MessrsHarcourt and Co., Wellington. I gives full particulars of a first-clas property of 975 acres, which the have for disposal, In another column Mrs H. J. Taplay announces that she is prepared to< take a limited number of pupils for' deep-breathing voice production and' singing. Children's classes consisting;: of ten pupils will be conducted in • deep breath-ng,pronunciation, deport; ment, and class-singing will be inaugurated. Consultation hours may be seen on reference to the advertise--ment.