LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3188, 13 May 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Ground Cum mi t tee of the Masterton A. and P. Association met yesterday afternoon. A committee was appointed to visit Solway to-day to lay off the grounds in readiness for the planting of the ornamental trees. Masterton business houses have a particular attraction for commercial men, notwithstanding the alleged depression in trade. On Friday evening last no less than 26 commercial travellers put up at the Club Hotel, whilst on Tuesday evening 20 more stayed there. Mr X. M. Wiiford, of Wellington, will appear for the defence in the case of J. Yates v. H. Harris, a a action for damages for injuries alleged to have been received through plaintiff being knocked down by a motor car. The case is to be heard at the next sitting of the District Court in Masterton.

Only the Chairman (Mr R. T. Holmes), and Mr J. Miller attended the monthly meeting of the Trustees of the North Wairarapa Benevolent Society yesterday afternoon. The pay-sheets for the month showed —Solway Home, £ls 5s 6d; and ordinary maintenance, £32 4s sd.

Owing to tha inclement state of the weather last evening, the opening lecture on John Bunyan's immortal allegory, "Pilgrim's Progress," to be delivered by the Rev. C. E. Porter, in the Methodist Church, was postponed. Mr Porter intends'to give the lecture next Wednesday evening. A short prayer meeting was held last evening instead. The Masterton Morris Tube Association intend opening their season with a practice this evening. Three new tubes have been secured, and another successful year is antcipated. Anyone wishing to become initiated into the art of rifle shooting cannot do batter than take a course of Morris Tube shooting.

m A meeting of the Masterton Private Telephone Committee wa.-i held yesterday, Mr C. F. Vallance presiding. It was decided to increase the maintenance fee t-» 10s a mile for each wire. It was also resolved that the Masterton and Wairarapa County Councils be approached for assistance in the matter of securing legislation to give local bodies power to frame by-laws to control private telephones and to dedicate their power to a committee to be appointed by the County Council concerned. Mr D. Foreman was appointed to represent the Opaki line. At the Magistrate's Court, yesterday morning, betore Mr C. G. Graham, S.M.. a charge of drunkenness and wilfully damaging an overcoat valued at £2 ss, the property of Constable Dunn, was preferred against William Woods. Accused admitted the charge of insobriety, but stated that he had no recollection of tearing the coat. Constable Dunn detailed the circumstances of the case. In resisting arrest" accused seized witness and damaged the coat. His Worship convicted and discharged accused on the charge of insobriety, but on the other charge accused was ordered to pay the cost of the coat , £2 ss, in defaul! one month's imprisonment. Michaet Fahey, was again befora the Court on a charge of drunkenness, but was remanded till May 19th for medical treatment. John Cunningliair- was ! also convicted and discharged for in-1 sobriety.

'. An amusing incident occ - m'rfd on the Feilding racecourse recently. The racecourse, with its beautiful lawn and artifical lake, is a favourite promenade for the townspeople on Sunday afternoons, and the imported fallow deer, which roam there at large, give the grounds an added attraction. A few days ago a girl of sixteen approached one of the deer which was standing near the lake, and carressingly patted it what time she murmured some of the soft baby-talk which comes so naturally to the fair sex. The deer had the bad taste to dislike these attentions, and promptly knocked the girl into the lake, from whence she rose dripping wet only to be once more sent back into the limpid depths. At this stage her cries attracted attention, and the deer was soon driven away, and the maiden rescued safe, hut very wet and not a little' frightened.

Mr J. A. Stevenson, an Auckland astronomer, states that there is a probability of another earthquake period between the 17th and 23rd inst. It will not, he considers, be so severe as the preceding periods, but it is probable the geysers at Whnkarewarewa will give Rood displays about the 23rd inst. It is not probable that Ngauruhoe will be as active as last month, but whatever [ outbreaks may occur may be expected about (he 19th. The conditions are not so pronounced as formerly. This present period is the conclusion of the major seismic period for the year, but in the course of a few months it is likely that there will be a minor period showing most activity in the Northern Hemisphere, which will bear the brunt of the seismic action predicted from the 17th to the 23rd inst. Mr Stevenson further states that he would not be surprised to hear of shocks next month in the latitude of San Francisco, though not of a severe character. I

There are at present six inmates at the Solway Home. There has been no further development of the scarletina outbreak on H.M.S. Challenger at Wellington, and the three men in the hospital are progressing favourably. A competition for badges is now being held by the Greytown Fire Brigade. It ia a one-man engine competition, and the first run took place on Monday last, when Fireman Coe came first, and Fireman iJilby second. The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club will hold a young bird race from Woodvilla this afternoon, for a trophy presented by Mr Joseph Dixon. Owing to the threatening state of the weather, the entries were rather smaller than usual, as only the more experienced birds will compete. The birds will be liberated at 1 o'clock, and a close finish is anticipated. In spite of the fact that the electors of Wellington South declared against the hotels at the last election, and under that decision the hotels in the district must close on June 30th, applications for renewals of licenses have beed lodged by the licensees of the Newtown and Grosvenor Hotels. The annual meeting of the committee will be held on June 4th.

■'• A copy of the "Western Daily Mercury," Plymouth, England, has reached the office of the Union Co. It is dated about the time of the wreck of the Penguin, and contains a harrowing account of the disaster, mentioning that "700 lives were lost," and that "all the boats were rotten!" The American Press could:hardly eclipse this. The War Office, says "London Punch," is stated to be seriously alarmed at the uncompromising attitude of Labour towards the Army,, and considers that the proposal that no battle shali last more than eight hours may. if adopted, seriously handicap us in engagements with a less enlightened foe. The Masterton Mounted Rifles held a parade last evening, under Lieutenant Hood, there being a good attendance of members. Four recruits were sworn in, and the team picked to represent the corps in a rifle shooting match to be fired at i Eketahuna on June Brd, for the Bolton Cup. The new short barrel rifles for the use of Mounted Rifles have been issued to the Masterton Corps.

On Saturday next the men members of the Greytown Golf-Club will commence the Challenge Shield competitions with the first medal handicap. The handicaps are: -Fenwick and Speedy, scr; Bladen, Alien and' Card, 4; Bicknell and Toogood, 5;.: D. Fen wick, 8; Q. Donald and Burt, 12; G. Cundy and Gray, 14: M'Carty, 15; H. Hodder, 17; Everton and S. Cundy, 18,* R'. Williams,. 20; C. J. Carlyon, 22.; W. A.. Donald, 27; Benton, 30; Bagley, Baker. M'Donald and Davis, 35. This afternoon the ladies will play their first medal competition, the handicaps being:—Mrs Saunders, scr; Mrs Allen, 3; Mrs Toogood, 8; Mrs Lucas, 13; Miss Viles, 17; Mrs Speedy, 20; Mrs Wicken?, 27; Mrs Williams, 30; Mrs Bagley, Mrs Carlyon and Mrs Baker, 40. The annual report of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust is circulated with thid issue. Tb.9 Commissioner of Taxes notifies that returns of income: must be made on or before June Ist, 1909. Tenders are invited by Messrs Varnharn and Rose for the erection-, of a dwelling at Upper Plain.. An advertiser requires-board .andi lodging near a paddock for'keeping; a horse. The Elite Skating Rink is betn*' well patronised during the evenings. Entries for the half-mile championship close this evening, ar.d already over a dozen entries have been received. The management has the floor in exc Q llent condition, and the; content should prrve an interesting; one. -a^j

" "A one-guinea pu-ce!" is the subject of an advertisement appearing on page 8 from Messrs Veitch and Allen, of Wellington. Those in search of exceptional val je for money should carefully peruse tne advertisement, as it gives particulars of the cor tents of the guinaa parteL The great mid season sslj of drapery and clothing at the "Economic," Wellington, will be brought to a close in the course of a few days. It U notified h another columns that exceptional price r=da:tijns will: be made until the closing d;te, and a perusal of the advertisement is. sufficient to convince one of the truth of the statement. At their Eketahuna saleyards on Friday, the 21st May, Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., will offer for sale 97 acres 2 roo js 7 perches,, adjoining the farm of Mr Francis;-. Turner. Terms and conditions maybe obtained from Messrs Hankins; and Lockhart Fitzherberr, solicitors;, Palmerston North, or from' the auctioneers.

Mr J. Kitchener, buot a-;d shoe im.-- : porter, of Queen street, Masterton,; has in stock a very large assortment of stylish and serviceable winter boots for both ladies and gentlemen. The boots are strongly made, guaranteed watertight and damp proof,, are of medium weight, and very reasonably priced. Evening slippers are also in stock in endless variety. At their Martinborough sale* rooms, on Thursday, May 27th Messrs Dalgety>nd Co.. Ltd.. will, offer for sale, under instructions from the Public Trustee, the goodwill of 483 acres. L.1.P., in the Mahupuka Settlement, near Martinborough. The property is at"present: carrying 512 sheep, 24 cattle and three horses, and the purchaser of the lease mast take over stock, furniture and farm implements at valuation. The Club Hotel, Masterton, under successive proprietors, has always enjoyed a first-class reputation, and | particularly so whilst under the management of Mr T. Porter.' Travellers generally will, therefore, be pleased to hear that he has decided to continue in possession of the house after the expiry of the license, and to run it on the same up-to-date lines as heretofore. The importance of Masterton as a commercial centre demands that such a house should be available for the travelling pubrTc, and the Club Hotel, under such capable management, will certainly fill the bill.

The Land and Income Tax Department gives notice that returns of income must be furnished not later than Ist June next. Mr J .B. Keith advertises particulars of a ten acre property near Masterton, and an 800 acre sheep farm in Hawke's Bay. Special prices for winter blousings form the subject of a new advertisement on page 6 inserted by Messrs George and Kersley, The Economic Wellington. A special inducement is offered to country customers this week by Messrs Veitch and Allan, of Wellington. That enterprising firm will, on Teceipt of a postal order for one guinea, forward a complete and serviceable parcel of up-to-date goods, which may be returned if not thoroughly satisfactory. Study their announcement, and you will be convinced of the exceptional value they are offering.