LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3189, 14 May 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The following is the latest return from the Masterton Dredge :—3Bozs IBdts for an ordinary week's work. The volunteering movement in Auckland is at present showing signs of revival. Christchurch bakers state that there is no intention on their part to raise the price of bread. The blacksmiths at Carterton intend to observe Saturday as the weekly half-holiday in future. The new drivers' award, as relating to the Carterton district, will come into force on June Ist, writes our Carterton correspondent. The hearing of the West Coast murder charge against Connelly has been fixed for Monday next at Christchurch. Spelling and menial arithmetic contests are to be added to the programme of the Invercargill Competition Society. About 80,000 cases have been purchased by the Hawke's Bav Fruitgrowers' Association for packing its fruit this season. Mr R. Home, of Island Bay, Wei-, lington, and at one time in the employ of Messrs W. Booth and Co., of Carterton, has purchased a farm at Ohau, Manavvatu.

The card tournament, which was to have been played at Masterton this evening between the Totara (Carterton) and Stonehenge Lodges, has been postponed till a future date. Gardeners in Nelson are getting anxious about the reappearance of the mimosa blight, which was eradicated some years ago by the importation of the ladybird from America. The active demand for draught horses that has prevailed in Ashburtnn for some time, indicates that there is to be a revival of grain production. Miss Hales, r in charge of the Government Female Labour Bureau at Dunedin, advocates, as a solution ot the dearth of domes!ics, that a domestic training school should be established.

Petty thieving ia prevalent on the Upper Plain, horse covers being the particular article claiming the at■tetitim of the thief. Mr J. Gill is the latest victim, having had a cover stolen off his horse on Wednesday night last. The drop in the price of wheat that has taken place in the Homp and American markets for a time had an easing influence in Dunedin, and kept buyers from operating, but the market has recovered, and the prices now being obtained are equal to the highest ruling at the beginning of the season. Present indications point to a further advance, there being a keen demand from Northern ports. Letters for the undermentioned persons are lying unclaimed at the Masterton Post Office:—United Kingdom, Miss G. Bell, Geo. Bubbers, Hugh Casey, Robert Dodd, John Donald, Mrs F. Harrison, Robert Moore, Robert McArthur, Mrs M. J. McArfhy, J. Savin, W. E. Tavlor, Reggie Walsh, H. H. Whittington, John Young; United States, America, Geo. F. Jones; India, Mrs T. Osborne, MrsWraege; New South Wales, J. S. Adams, Joseph P. Brice, Geo. Burrows, Mrs S. Fn'»nd, Mrs T. j McAlister, Madam Nordica; Tasmania, W. Burr, Geo. Falls;. Victoria, E. Notley. Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., of Christchurch, arrived in Sydeny last week onfa health and holiday trip with his wife, and intends to spend some time in New South Wales and Queensland. He stated that he intended to make a close study of Australian politics. At present he was rather puzzled as to its turn, and complexities. As far ss he could judge, Mr Fisher was the only leader who had a definite policy, and in the event of a general election would probably win more teats. He was unable to understand the trend of opposition, or how the two sections of it couid get into line. He was at one with Mr Fisher's defence proposals, and regarded the construction of the transcontinental railway from Port Darwin to Adelaide and the peopling and defence of the .Northern Territory as urgent necessities.

Mr S. Jensen, of Waihakeke, will be a competitor at the Wanganui Gua Club's forthcoming match, writes our Carterton correspondent. The annual inspectiun visit wast made to the Masterton District High School yesterday by the chief inspector, Mr T. R. Fleming. At the Magistrate's Court, yesterday morning, before Mr C. C. Graham, S. M., a first offending inebriate was fined ss, in default 24 hours* imprisonment. The Headmaster of the Masterton District High School (Mr W. H. Jackson) reported to the meeting of the School Committee last evening, that the membership of the School | branch of the Navy League had now reached 150. The following have been nominated for office in connection with the Loyal Unity Lodge of Oddfellows, Featherston:—N.G., Bro. F. A. O'Neale; V.G., Bros. Powell andG. Walker; Elect. Sec, Bro. J. W. Presland. The number of names on the Martinborough Town District electors* roll has increased from 256 to 500 as the result of the* new Act, providing for three qualifications for voting, viz., ratepayer, residential and freeholder.

The suppliers to the New Zealand Farmers' Dairy Union's creamery at Upper McLean street, Woodville, have decided to ask the directors of the Union to instal a cheese plant In their creamery for next season, and have agreed to give the.necessaryguarantee. The first of a series of socials to be held by the W.F.C.A. employees toot place in the Exchange Hall last evening. Progressive euchre was played till 10 o'clock, and then dancing wasr indulged in. During the evening Mr H. Hall contributed a song. •

The Masterton telegraph messengers held their annual social last evening, a very enjoyable time being: spent. Indoor games were indulged in, and refeshments were partaken of. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs J. Stevens and A. H. Eddy. .

As an evidence of the mildness of the climate of North Auckland, it may be mentioned that Mr* McHowell, a resident of Dareraville, has just taken from ore of his apple trees a second crop of apples. The tree.blossomed when the first crop had been picked, and new fruit immediately followed. Snow is already causing some trouble in the Mackenzie Country.' Mr J. S. Rutherford stated to a Timaru "Herald" reporter that on his station (Mistake), as well as on other stations, there had been a deep fall of snow, and the result was that in many parts they were uable to get at the sheup for mustering. The cookery classes have again commenced fcr the winter session, reported the Headmaster of the Masterton District High School (Mr W. H. Jackson) to the meeting of the School Committee last evening. The new classroom, he stated, has enabled him to use th'a cookery room entirely for cooking tuition, and he has therefore arranged to make the fullest use of the services of the cookery instructress. Ever girl above the Fourth Standard is receiving instruction in cookery.

Mr C. C, Graham, S.M., in his civil jurisdiction yesterday gave judgment by default for plaintiff in the following cases:—Alex. Donald v. Matia Thompson, ctaim £5, costs 7s 6d; James Wl.ittaker v. George Henry Guodall, cl«im £1 13s 9d costs sa; James Whittaker v. Robert Riddick, claim £1 Os 6d, costs Bs. In a judgment summons case Kebecca L. Sat:hell v. William Symonds, debtor was ordered to pay forthwith 9s 2d, on default 24 hours' t imprisonment. In a defended case C. A. Pownall v. Donald McDonald, claim of £6 13a 6d for legal expenses in connection with a caFt at Eketahuna, after hearing, the i vidpnee his Worship gave jurltrn ent for plaintiff for £5 13s 6d with 10s costs. *' The'annua! Catholic social will be held in the Town Hall during the J first week in June. * In the Dominion Elall, to-night, Mr C. P. W. Longdill will deliver an address on the ethics of banking as a key to the solution of the social problem. Mr P. Hamill has an exceptionally large assortment of stylish winter dress goods in stock in serges, j tweeds, and striped Venetians. The gonds have arrived sovdewhat late. and in order to quilt them as speedily as possible cut prices have been decided upon. The Wellington Education Board invites tenders up till SaturJay, May 22nd, for the erection o± a school at Putara, near Eketahuna. Plans and specifications may be seen at the "Express" office, Eketahuna, and at the office of Messrs Varrham and Rose, Masterton. At the Post Office Auction Malt, on Saturday next, Mr M. 0. Aronsten will sell a large assortment of household furniture and effects', placed in his mart for disposal without reserve. Crockery, cutlery, glassware, poultry, potatoes, fruit, etc., will also be offered. Why not use Chamberlain's Pain Balm when you have rheumatism ? We feel sure the result will be prompt and satisfactory. One application rtlieves the pain, and many have been permanently cired by its use. Pain Balm is a liniment, and is applied externally to the affected parts. For sale by all chemists and storekeepers.