LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3186, 11 May 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Good progress is being made with the painting and renovation work of Knox Sunday School building. An alarm of fire was vigorcusly rung on the fire-bell yesterday afternoon, but it proved to be a false one. A Wairarapa newspaper has discovered that the yield of the Waihi mine is seven millions per annum! No wonder the shares are advancing in price. The Opaki Rifle Club has decided to hold their annual social early next month, when the prizes and trophies won during the year will be presented. The members of the Opaki Rifle Club are all putting in very steady practice in view of the "Daily Mail" competition, which will take place on May 24th at Papawai. A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that the announcement that Mr T. Mackenzie has been appointed Minister of Agriculture is premature. St. Matthew's Club will hold their "club night" at the schoolroom this evening. The chair will be taken by the Rev. H. Watson, and Mr D. Hebenton will read a paper on "Singalese and their customs." Good progress is being made with the construction of the WeraitiBrancepeth Road. Mr W. Langlands, the contractor, expects to have the road completed in about three weeks' time. At the meeting of the Lansdowne School Committee, last evenng. it was decided, Dn the motion of Mr E. Hale, and seconded by Mr E. Welch, that the Trust Lands Trustees be written to, applying for a grant on the same basis as the grants allowed to other schools.

Mr H. C. Field, in a letter to the "Wanganni Herald," states that his cats recently killed two specimens of the pectoral iail, the Maoris' mohopereu, a bird which is plentiful in Australia, and the islands of the Malay Archipelago and Polynesia, but is now very rare in New Zealand. A concert and social will be hek; at Lanadowne early next month to commemorate the opening of the new Lanadowne School. A committee, consisting of Messrs P. L. Hollings (Mayor), E. Welch, Puhaia Te Tau, and Mr Drummond (fchoolmaster), have been appointed to carry out arrangements in connection with same. The work of constructing (he headworks in co»neetion with the OpakiLansdowne water supply scheme is expected to be finished in about three weeks' time. Good progress is U-ing made with the laying of the p ; pes to the pumping station, and a start will shortly be made with the construction of the reservoir.

Mr R. C. Drummond, headmaster of the Lansdowne School, reported at the School Committee meeting last evening that suve he had taken charge of the school, four new pupils had been admitted, thereby increasing the rul] number to 115. Tie average attendance for the last week.was 108, and the roll number 115. Michael Fahey, a second offending inebriate, was brought before Mr T. Wagg, J.P., at the Police Ccurt yesterday morning to answer the charge. Sergeant Miller stated that when accused was arrested he was suffering so severely from the effects of alcohol that medical assistance had to be procured. The Bench imposed a fine of £l, in default 48 hours' imprisonment. A first offender was also fined ss, in default 24 hoars' imprisonment. George King pleaded not guilty at the Police Court yesterday morning to a charge of disorderly behaviour while under the influence of liquor on Saturday night. Constable Dunn and Sergeant Miiler submitted evidence in support of the charge, and for the defence, accused, who was not represented by counsel, aimitted having partaken of liquor, but denied that he had behaved in a disorderly manner. Alfred Ewart Weller also give evidence to this effect. The presiding justice, Mr T. Wagg, imposed a fine of 10?, in default 48 hours' imprisonment.

The Larsdcwre School Committee met last evening. There were present Messrs 11. E. Gosnell (Chairman), E. Hale, E. Welch, Puhara Te Tau, J. E. Perry, P. Cnmpton. It was decided that the Education Board be written to with reference to approaching the School Commissioners to secure the use of the section adjoining the school for the purpose playground for the boys. In connection with the laying out of the grounds, it was decided, on the .motion of the Chairman, seconded by Air Perry, that those members of the committee who could, be asked c« meet Mr Drummond (the headmaster) to-day to discuss the matter.

The New Zealand Boxing Council has allotted this year's boxing championship to the Otago Boxing Association. The Wellington Association also applied. , , The Otago Students' Association by 110 votes to 72, decided to disallow alcoholic liquor at any of their functions, and also decided to tinue the annual University ball. I A suggestion has been made in the local Press, writes our correspondent at Carterton, that some grand citizens concerts should be held to provide funds to improve the condition of the Chreville Cemetery. On Saturday last the Featherston; Rifle Club journeyed to Upper Hutt,. and fired a rifle match against the local rifle club, the Upper Hutt Club winning by 73 points. The winners scored 853 points, and Featherston 7SO.

Early yesterday morning, Mr McLeod's house at Glenorynoch, Martinborough, was totally destroyed byfire. The house, which consisted of nine partly built of clay, was one of the oldest landmarks in the Lower Valley. The building was insured. The earlv train from Palmerston North to Woodville came to a standstill at the Gorge, two or three miles from Wcodviile, on Saturday, the engine having run short of water. A record has been put up for a round on the Timaru golf links by a player, who hails from the -Fatherland, and his fair partner, the couple (says the Herald) taking 231 to finish the course!

For some time past, says the "Feilding Star," pupils at Horopito, on the Main Trunk Line, have been taught in a structure, the walls of which consist of calico. It has been decided to ask the Government for a building.

After the usual business of the Masterton Reehabite Tent to-night* the meeting will be thrown open to friends and members at 8.15 o'clock. The subject for the evening will be a debate, "Mock Borough Council." It is understood that some very interesting motions are to be discussed.

The directors of the Tawaha Dairy Company met on Saturday evening last. It was decided to run the factor/ every other day from date. Messrs MacEwan reported that the company's cheese was ruling in London at 635, being top price at-the time of sale. Grade notes showed the grade to be 90£.

The Featherston Golf Club played' a Handicap Match on Saturday last. The fullowing were the Lest cards handed in:—B, Speedy, scr., 87; A. J. Toogood, 5, 90; and G. Fenwick, scr., 95. Next Saturday the first medal competition will take place. This match will also count for the Challenge Shield.

A meeting' of the Friendly Societies Council was held last evening, the President (Bro. Pragnell) being' in the chair. The balance sheet in connection with the Hospital Saturday and Sunday demonstration was placed before the meeting, showing that there was £2O, after paying accounts, available for the Hospital. A special vote of thanks was passed to referees at the Football: 'Tournament, and t.o all those who assisted to make the Dei o.istration a success.

The usual meeting cf Endeavour Lodge was held last evening, Sis. .N. Miller, as acting C.T., taking the chair. Routine business was transacted. Two candidates were proposed for membership, and one Sister was re-admitted to the Lodge. Bro. McLean was installed as C.T. Bro. . Gilbert gave a short address,, and Sis. Flanagan read an account of the growth of Good Templary in Iceland.. Greetings were received from several i Lodges, and were heartily reciprocated.

In the Mangere district farmers are complaining of the conduct ofr shooting parties. The 'Star" re- • ports that one farmer f ; r,d a valuable cow dead, i-del-d with shot;. Another party had rubbed a hen's - nest and cooked the egg?. The writer observes that whils the farmers readily content to visitorsshootin? over their farms, it is thought that the iran who cannot hit something smsjler than a cowought not to go shooting.

) Packets of candles import? J from | Australia arj reing sold in Wcllingj ton just now under cor.ditiui.s which I are said to be unfair to I'cal | makers, and it is understood fiat the Government is to be asked ti look into the matter, and see if the remedy can be devised. The pack-ti only Jiold 14 ounces gross weight, but tocut the L'gal ground from under the feet of any complainant who buys a, packet, in the belief that it holds a full pound, a sentence is printed on the packets in unobtrusive type, which states that "these candles are sold by the packet, which contains six ccndles.''

In the opinion of the "Farmers' Union Advocate,'" rhe horticultural portion of the Momohaki experimental farm should not be sold, but remain in charge of the Government Biologist (Mr T. W. Kirk) fortxperimental purposes. The "Advocate" also thinks it will be a great mistake if the chemistry division of the Agricultural Department is notattached, to the experimental part. "The chemical division began under the eye of Mr Gilruth, and was for many years in the same building ashis office; but the evolution of time has brought it into touch with the farmers, and so it should remain. If it goes to the Stock Department it wall gradually be alienated from farmers' work, and its benefits forgotten."

Besides, maintaining a large annual expenditure upon the administration of an unobtrusive system of charity, the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand has accumulated a capita! ■fund which at the end of March amounted to £19,752, and must now have passed the even figures. This sum is solidly invested in Government and local body debentures to the extent of £IB,COO, earning interest at 4 and 41 per cent.. From the income thus derived there is a liberal stream of expenditure upon casual relief, in addition to which a system of annuities to aged Masons and the widows and children cf deceased Masons has been instituted, which is annually increasing in scope as the funds accumulate and the needs arise. For Inftnoim, fake Woods' Gr».it Peppermint Cukj. l. evui f a ; s . a3C j. 2 ;6.

A special notice with reference to the Welsbach mantles will be found on another page in this issue. A general meeting «f the members of the No-License League will be held in the Y.M.C A. Rooms, at 7.30 o'clock, to-night. In the Wanted Column Mr C. Y. Dalley. agent for the "Standard" SewY ing Machine, has an important an- ■/ nouncement and a valuable testimonial. Rubber footwear is in full supply at J. Carpenter's "Central" Boot Masterton. A price list of all the leading lines will be found elsawhere. A meeting of the Footbali Club instituted under Australian rules will be held in the Foresters' Hall' at 8 o'clock, to-morrow night. To-night McKenzie's Band will render a select programme of music at the " Elite" Skating Rink, which has become a popular rendezvous for followers of this winter pastime. A shipment of ten sacka of rock oysters will arrive to-day from the Government depot, to the order of Mr A. R. Maltby, of the Cafe, Qieen Street. Messrs W. B. Channels and Co. advertise to let or for sale that wellknown property in Victoria street known as "Devonshire House," which has been a favourite boardinghouse for many years past. Particulars appear elsewhere. In another column Mr T. W. Miller, Colombo Road, announces that in view of the approaching winter, he has made special arrangement for the t supply of firewood to householders. [ Mr Miller has installed an engine and cutter at ins yards, and natrons can rrely on their orders receiving prompt attention. All wood is guaranteed to possess excellent qualities, and clients are assured of satisfaction. Wood will also be cut to any length lo BUit the requirements of customers. The are strictly cash.