LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3182, 6 May 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A farmer on the Lanedale Settlement informed a Wairarapa Age reporter yesterday that tnere is about double the growth of wool on the sheep at the present as compared with this time last year, so favourablo is the season. Owing to the Town Hall being engaged this evening the opening night of the Morris Tube Association has been postponed until next week. The boxing match between T. Tracy, of Wellington, and J. Griffin, of Greymouth, at Auckland, for the light weight championship of New Zealand, resulted in a win for Tracy in the thirteenth round. Labour conditions in Southland are slack at present in most departments, and during the pa"st week or two employment has been falling off in several lines. The Tinui troop of the Masterton Mounted Rifles will hold their annual ball on the evening of Friday, June 4th. This has invariably prove 3 a popular function, and the forthcoming ball is expected to be the most successful yet held. Though the season for bowling is practically over, some Christchurch enthusiasts are arranging for bowling to take place duiing the winter, says the "Press." A goodly number of bowlers have already promised to take part if the project is carried out. A meeting of the committee of St. John Ambulance District Nurse Bazaar will be held on Friday evening next, in the Dominion Hall, to make arrangements in connection with the bazaar to be held in February next.

The Young People's Association in connection with Knox "Church"'will hold a social on Friday evening in the Knox Hall. All who desire to join the Association this session are invited to be present. The many friends of Mr T. Harp will learn with regret 0 f his death, which took place yesterday morning, at the residence of his mother, Mrs Roberts, of Garrison street, writes our Carterton correspondent. Deceased was 35 years of age. The funeral will take place on Friday. "From Waihi to Rotorua I did not meet a swagger on the road or a man looking for work, showing that what lack of employment there is is not accentuated in the country as in the cicies," says the Hon. A. W. Hogg, who has just returned t j Wellington from that locality. At a meeting of the Carterton Library Committe/ Held on Tuesday evening, Messrs J. M. Lightfoot, A. N. Burns, Rev. Thompson and W. Moore were appointed a Book Committee, and Messrs Cormack, D. Reid and W. Downard a Reading Room Committee A conversation with a practical settler of lone residence in the Masterton district, a representative of this journal was informed that there had been a very marked increase in the number of rabbits during the past year, and that several farmers had been anxious to obtain rabbit dogs, which were almost unprocurable, to assist in combating the pest.

A further case which will be dealt with at the next sitting of the District Court is that of Charles Gurote, cab proprietor, who is claiming from James Cairns, Mascerton Borough Inspector, the sum of £IOO for alleged slander, reflecting the plaintiff's application for a cab license. Mr; R. K. Jackson will appear for plaintiff and-Mr C. A. Pownall. Borough Solicitor, is ac'ing for defendant. For the prosecution in the Connelly case 16 or 17 witnesses are being «uhpoenaed on t'»e West Coast, 'the cabe h bet down for hearing at Christchurch on Monday, May 10th. Abnormal interest is being evinced on the West Coast, in regard to the trial, which promises to be a sensational nnale to an altagether remarkable case. Settlers at Langdale and Whareama have every reason to feel'satisfied at the abundance of feed, and the splendid condition of stock in that neighbourhood. The small margin of profit as between fat and store stock practically precludes them from purchasing sheep of the latter class, writes a correspondent. Quite a number of landowners favour the establishment of freezing works in the Wairarapa as a means of obtaining better prices for fat stock.

A commission Irom the Wellington Presbytery, consisting of Rev. L. Thompson (brother ot Rev. A. T. Thompson," of-Mastertop), and Revs. J. MeCaw, J. Chalmers Mill, and J. Stowell, paid a visit to Masterton yesterday. In the evening the rev. gentlemen met the office bearers and congregation of Knox Church, when matters in connection with the progress of the church work were dealt with for their report to the Presbytery. After the appointment of the Committees at the Boruugh Council meeting, last evening, the Mayor moved a motion that the Works and Finance Committee meet in the .afteunoons instead of the evenings to transact their business. Several Councillors strongly opposed the motion because for business reasons it would be quite impossible to attend. The motion I was lost. . .

The matter of greater publicity of Borough Council meetings through the medium of the press was brought up at tfie Council meeting last evening Cr Ewington moved, and Cr Hoar seconded, that the Press be permitted to attend the Committee meetings. Reference was also made to the matter by Cr Pragnell. His Worship stated that he was not quite sure as to the correctness of putting the motion. He would, however, look into the point and advise the Council of the correct position. There was a good attendance of members in the Dominion Hall last evening, when the first lecture in connection with the St. John Ambulance Association was given by Dr P. R. Cook. The lecturer, who is a fluent speaker, took for his subject, the circulation, food, digestion, nervous systsm, and roller bandaging, dealing with each in a clear and com- j prehensive manner, each member I being deeply interested. The next j lecture will take place on May 26th. The members of the Guild will meet every Wednesday for practice.

Private Stcrxey, 01 the Napier Rifles, is the winner of the Government's gold medal for th best shot in the East Coast battalion. On Friday week next the Knox Church congregation will hold a social in the Knox Haii to welcome Mr Purcell Webb, the new organist and cnoirmas-ter. Copies of the proposed estimates for the coming year were handed to the Borough Councillors last evening. The Mayor stated that he hoped the Councillors would give the figures their careful consideration, as the estimates would be discussed at the next meeting. The Mayor had a pleasant little surprise in store for the Councillors last evening. At the conclusion of the business, after the installations, His Worship extended an invitation to the Councillors and members of the Press to ioin him j'n ». supper at the Arcadia Tea Rooms. The discussion on the appointment of Committees had been a somewhat weary one, and those present availed themselves of the pleasant change in the programme with readiness. Speechmaking was "ruled out of order," and the party did full justice to the ample repast provided. The kindly action that prompted the Mayor's invitation was greatly appreciated by the company.

An! accident that was attended by somewhat serious consequences occurred to Mr W. McLaren, of Bush Gully, Martinborough, at Mangamahoe on Tuesday last. It appears that Mr McLaren, in company with two ladies, the Misses Heckler, was driving a gig'through Mangamahoe. Mr McLaren was seated partly on the splash board, as there was only limited room in the vehicle, and in tumirig~ar~sharp- corner the splash board broke with the result that the driver was thrown heavily tothe ground, breaking one of his thigh bones. The injured man was attended by Dr. Archer Hosking.. In the evening he was conveyed by ambulance to Mrs Denbee's private hospital in Masterton, where he is progressing as satisfactorily as can. be expected.

A reward is offered for the return of a bunch of keys lost at the Waipoua saleyards yesterday. The annual meeting of Trust Lanr T s Voters will be held in the Town Hall,. Masterton, on Friday, 14th inst, at 8 p.m. A notice re a yearling heifer, straying on Mr J. H. Tully's- property at Featherston, appears in another column. s At the sitting of the District Court, to be held in Masterton on the 27th inst., Mr Daniel McFarlane, of Masterton, tobacconist, will apply forhis discharge. The time-table for the motor,'bus' service in Masterton is published in another column. Post cards of Amy Bock—the bridegroom—are obtainable from Mr Patillo, bridal photographer, Dunedin. Full particulars in Wanted Column. The annual social and dance ira connection with the local Court of Foresters will be held tu-morrow evening. The committee entrusted; with the management ure soaring -no. effort to make ttie function equal to. any of its predecessors.

Messrs Preston and Co., family wine and spirit merchants, of Lambton Quay, Wellington, notify the public of Masterton and district that they are prepared to supply Dunedin ale and stout in'ajiy quantity, as well as the best brands of spirits. All orders sent in will receive prjmpt attention. The hottles will he carefully packed and delivered at the city railway station free of cost. ■ . A guarantee appeals to most people, and they appreciate faultless fitting, an.l neatly finished apparel. Mr Albert Webb guarantees the j style, fit, finish and lasting quality of tne clothing made at hi-* establishi menr. He ; s now snowing a magnificent assortment of winter fabrics in all the prevailing shades for ladies' and gentlemen's wear. The staff o6 the late Mrs StockleyJones, of Masterton, dressmaker, have decided to commence business on. their own account in rooms above Mr A. E. Winzeobera's osotugrapher, Queen street, Masterton, on Monday next. The stuff is capable and thoroughly experienced, and it is hoped hy careful attention to business .to mdk'it a fair share of publicpatronage. Full particulars will be advertised later.*