LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3190, 15 May 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Messrs J. Rundle and J. A. Daysh have been elected to fill the vacancies on the Nireaha .school Committee. Mr R. J. McLean has been appointed conductor of the Eketahuna Brass Band. A patrol of boy scouts is being formed at Newman. Mr W. G. Goss, of Nireaha, has sold his farin to a settler of Wanganui. Diphtheria has made its appearance at Foxton. One of the victims—a child aged three years—died on Sunday last. During next week the Hon. A. W. Hogg will make a brief tour of inspection of the country roads around Masterton. Potato blight is said to be bad this year, and it has been found that potatoes coming to Wellington from widely separated districts all have baen affected by it. Sound potatoes, it is said, are extremely scarce.

It has been decided by the Government to abolish the following "District Court" districts, says the New Zealand "Times":—Waikato and Thames, Wairarapa, Taranaki, Wanganui, Nelson, Westland, Timaru. and Oamaru, Ashburton, Otago Goldfields, Western Otago. It is stated that from 20 to 30 families are emigrating to Nelson. from Wellington, says the Nelson "Mail." The heads of these are mostly retrenched officers, who lived in Wellington on salaries of from £SOO to £6OO per annum, but whose retiring allowance, I £250, would not allow them to continue in Wellington. extreme carelessness of a parent almost resulted in a fatal accident on the railway near Mataura, the other day. As the Waimea express was approaching a crossing, Driver Leishman noticed something lying between the rails, which he was horrified to rind was a little boy. The child was apparently asleep. Mr Leishman applied the emergency brakes and blew his whistle, fortunately stopping the train within a few yards of the child.

In a reference to the state of the import market in New Zealand during the past two or three weeks, the "Trade Review" says that trade in all branches is quiet, and transactions are on a moderate scale. "The improvement in the wool market." the adds, "especially in the May svries of London sales, is calculated to strengthen confidence as to the future, and the bountiful production of milk in the dairying districts has caused a liberal flow of money in country centres, productive of a measure of improvement in trade all round, both in country and town."

The hearing of a number of cases against cyclists and drivers of vehicles for failing to carry lights was the chief business of the Police Court, yesterday morning. The presiding J'g.P. were Messrs L. J. Hooper and E. G. Eton. In the vehicle cases William Headly was fined 5s and a similar fine was imposed on Chas. McCullough, and George Grantham. John Savage, through his counsel, Mr C. A. Pownall, pleaded guilts to a charge of driving a vehicle without lights, and was fined 10*. For leaving nis.trap unattended in Queen street Wong Moy was fined 10s. For ridirg a bicycle without a light Thomas McGrath was fined ss, and John Nelson was mulcted in a similar amount for riding his bicycle on the footpath. In each case the costs imposed were 7s,

At a meeting cf the Nireaha Cheese Company, held for the purpose of considering improvement to the factory, Mr Alberthsen (chairman) said that it was advisable to increase the size of the making room to hold eight vats, and this with other improvements would total about £4OO. It would be necessary to spend an additional sum of £l5O on the curing room. Up to the present the sum of £1,941 had been ■ spent on buildings, land and equipment, and the subscribed capital was 51,639. The nominal capital of the Company was £2,000, and as 600 additional shares were required to be taken up this would have to be increased to the amount spent over the subscribed capital, and to provide for the proposed work. After the matter had been fully discussed it w?is decided that the secretary should canvass for new shares and report to a meeting to be held shortly.

"The sins of the father" were visited upon the son at the Masterton Police Court, yesterday morning-, by the presiding Justices, the proceedings causing some amusement. The charge in question was one of driving an unsighted vehicle after dark, and Mr C. A. Pownall, who appeared for the defendant, said the alleged offence was not committed on the alletred date, and, in any case, the person charged in the summons was not the person who committed the offence, and, furthermore, if his client was the person named in the summons he had hurt his leg, and could not appear. The case seemed to be complicated, but the Bench found little difficulty in finding a way out. The son of the alleged defendant was in tie Court, and as he was willing to plead guilty, a»d, as it appeared, that he had occupied a seat in the vehicle, along with his father, the alleged defendant, on the night in question, the Bench imposed a fine of 10s and costs.

An instance of canine sagacity is reported from Dargaville. Two men named Todd and Grainger were coming down the Wairoa river from a shooting expedition. Grainger shot a pheasant from the boat, and Todd, in -trying to get ashore to recover the bird, fell into the river. There being a strong current running at the time, he was in danger of being carried down stream. Mr Grainger's dog seemed to grasp the situation quicker than anyone else in the'boat, and with a spring he was into the water almost as soon as Mr Todd was precipitated into the stream. The faithful animal quickly grasped Mr Todd's clothing in his teeth, and made for the shore, which was successfully reached. Mr Todd cannot swim, apparently, and had it hot been for the dog, says the Auckland "Star," the result might have been serious. The dog is a fine specimen of a bull pointer, and can do almost everything but talk. I

There is no advice as to the return of the Mystery Fiat Dredge for this week. Knox Church services are adver] tised elsewhere. The Men's Class will meet at 2.30 p.m., and a cordia invitation is given to all men. The young daughter, aged nine years, of Mr Dan M'Lean, of Waipu, Auckland, died on Thursday, as the result of eating a poisonous toadstoolIt is estimated that there are, in the whole of the Dominion, some 41 thousand packages of butter in cool storage, about 20 thousand of which are in Auckland. It is understood that Amy Bock is not likely to come up for sentence until the opening ddy of the quarterly criminal session at Dunedin on Tuesday, the 25th inst. It was stated at the last meeting of the shareholders of the Nireaha Co-operative Dairy Company that about 1,200 cows are now milked in that diatrict. It is stated that owir.g to the want, of sympathy and support the Wellington Scenery Preservation Society has decided t«> terminate its existence.

The Methodist Junior Christian Endeavour Society held a social in the Schoolroom, last evening. There was a very large attendance cf members. Indoor games were indulged/ in, after which refreshments were' partaken of. Robt. M'lntyre, a shepherd on the Hon. J. D. Ormond's station, Wairoa, is reported to have been drowned. He left an outstation to go to Waikokopu, and his riderless horse has been found. The police have gone out in search. Sheep farmers are now turning their sheep on to the early variety of turnips. Many of the crops show little indication of having been seriously affected with the blight, which made its appearance a short time ago.The advent of the cold weather is considered responsible for assist* ing in the extermination of the blight.

A Forty-Mile Bush dairy farmer informed a representative of the Wairarapa Age, yesterday, that at the present time, although he was milking ten per cent, less cows than, at this time last year, his herd was yielding 20 per cent, more milk. He attributed this to the exceptionally good autumn season experienced this year in the Bush district. The births registered at the fourchief centres during the month of April were:~Auckland 167, Wellington 178, Cbristchurch 147, Dunedin 147. The deaths were:—Au'cki land 61, or 0.81 per J,000; Wellington 52, or 0.71 per 1,000; Christchurch 48, or 0.77 per I,OOOJ Dunedin 47, or 0.77 i>f the population.

The subject of the address at the Y.M.C.A. Men's Meeting, to-morrow afternoon, at 5 o'clock, is "Christianity- in Commerce,"' Mr C. E. Daniel] will be the speaker. The meeting will be presided over by Dr.. Prior. The Strangers' Tea will follow at 5.30. At 7 o'clock a service will be held at Solway Home. On Sunday morning the Bible Class will meet at 9.45 o'clock.

The Rev. A. Hodge will conduct the services in the Congregational Church to-morrow. Ihe subjects will be "Washed," "Sanctified," "Justified," in tha morning, ar,d "TheEmancipation of Women" in theevening; while the choir will singthe anthem "The Day n Gently Sinking,'' by H. Smart. The concert, which was to have been held last Tuesday night, but was postponed because of th.3 bad weather,, will be held on Tuesday next.

A good deal of speculation in gofc* mining shares is going on in Masterton at the present time. Some of the mines claiming the attention of local investors are the Talisman and Grand Junction properties in the Auckland district, and the Consolidated Goldfields of New Zealand at Reefton. One lucky investor cleared £4O on a small puree.] cf shares in the Northern properties in a fortnight. The correct return forthe Masterton Dredgo this week is 33 ounces 18 dwts. A dividend of 2s, per share has been declared. The utility of the motor car has been largely extended by an Oamaruinventor, who, says the "North Otago Times," has constructed s oar tor his own use as a builder. The car he has built travels at a geed .speed, and takes him in a short time to his objective in the country, wherever it may be. On arrival there he disconnacts the travelling gear, and with; the aid of pulleys and a bench starts the engine off in the cutting of the timber to the necessary lengths required in the building. This it will do with a circular saw with a rapidity that would cisc< unt the work of half a dozen men.

Knox Church Hail was crowded last evening to extend a welcome to Mr Purcell Webb, the newly appointed organist and to bid farewell, to the former urganist, Miss Hogg, and the choirmaster, Mr R. J. Young. The proceecing= opened with the "Old Hundredth," and was succeeded with musical by Mrs Taplay, Misses McKenzie, Miller and Mr Munn. The Rev. A. T. Thompson referred in eulogistic terms to the work which Miss Hogg and Mr Young had rendered in connection with the musical portions of the Church services, their efforts Leing much appreciated by the congregation. Both officers had been a great help in many ways. He was glad that they both intended to continue to help

the Church. Miss Hogg was then presented with a lady's dressing case, and Mr Young~ with a pair of silver entree dishes. Both recipients suitably replied. Mr Thompson then referred to the appointment of Mr Purcell Webo, who had taken up the position of organist and choirmaster. Not long ago the Church decided to import an organ from England, andjjthe Session decided to offer the position of organist to Mr Webb, who came to them with excellent credentials. The organ, though not the largest in New Zealand, was a good instrument. Other musical items rendered were'a 'cello solo by Mr Inns, a cornet solo by Mr McLeod and a bassoon solo by Mr Varnham. The musical items were much enjoyed. The ladies of the congregation provided refreshments. At the conclusion of the social the audience adjourned to the Church, where Mr Purcell Webb gave some .choice selections of organ music, which were greatly appreciated.* J

An advertiser wishes to rent an —up-to-date six or seven-roomed house. Monday next is the last day on -which discount will be allowed on current gas accounts. "A.-notice re stock impounded in tha Masterton pound appears in another column. Professsor Vear, mental scientist and phrenologist, and Mrs Vear, \scientific palmist, can be consulted jskt their rooms, 22 Wrigley street. Mr P. Hamill draws attention to his monster sale of dress materials, also to a large display of men's shirts he is showing in his shop windows, Queen street. Mr H. T. Ellingham, a candidate for a seat on the Wellington Land Board, will reach Masterton to-day on a visit to the Crown tenants throughout the VVairarapa. Lines that are being retailed at very low rates at H. A. Whelch's Masterton premises during the next few days are honeycomb quilts, all wool Knitted vests, ladies' corsets, and underclothing, furs and muffs, and dress goods. The goods are of standard quality, and were i-nported for this season's trade. There is on view at'Mr J. L. Murry's Exchange Buildngs, Queen street, Masterton. a display of lakes' gloves that is indeed creditable both from point of variety and quality. Every conceivable style and colour is included, and the prices irary from a few shillings to half a sovereign. . At their Pahiatua mart, on Saturday, the stb day of June, Messrs C. R. Michel! and Co. will sell by

- public auction a property of 80 acres k 34 perches. The property is situated in the Pahiatua County, and has "frontage on the main road leadiag from Pahiatua to Ballance., Particulars and conditions of sale may be seen at the office of the auctioneers or on application to Messrs Barnicpt and Treadwell, solicitor, Wanganui. At the Post Office Auction Mart, this afternoon, at 2 o'clock sharp, Mr M. 0. Aroisten, will hold an important sale of goods in the estate of the late Mr Tom Smith. Included in the lot are a horse, two traps, several sets of harness, and ir- the whole of the furnishings of an ap-to-date house. A large number <>f historical books and papers will also be offered, many of which are over a hundred years old. The sale is to be an absolutely unreserved one, as the goods are to be cleared to-day. Full particulars appear on page S of this iasue.

Despite the great popularity of the Edison Phonograph in its present form and the Edison records, the result of a series of experiments made by Mr Edison and his assistants in his laboratory at Orange, added to what "The Talkeries" now have to offer music lovers, the following " very interesting improvements:—r No. 1: A new record, made of a "new composition, by a new process, and playing an average of more than four minutes. This is known as the "Edison Amberol Record," and is sold at 2s 6d each, making it the lowest priced record now sold, considering also that it will play longer than any other talking machine record now before the public. No. 2: A series of atttachments by which, at slight cost, all present phonographs, except the Gem, may be equipped to play the longer record in addition to the present ones. This attachment is sold at the following prices:—Standard phonograph at- • tachments, 30s; Home and Triumph phonographs attachmens, 455. The attachments and records are on sale to-day at "The Talkeries." For Chronic Ghost Complaints, Woods Great Peppermint Cure, 1/6 and 2'6.