LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3197, 25 May 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At the monthly meeting of the Managers of the Masterton Technical School, on Friday evening next, a report in connection with the progress of the wool classes will be submitted to the Managers. The St. John Ambulance Brigade will hold a social on July Ist. A strong committee, with Mr L. H. Lewis as secretary, has been apI pointed to carry out the arrange- | ments in connection therewith. [ At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr E. G. Eton, J.P., a charge of insobrietv was preferred against William Kenny. Accused was convicted and discharged, and allowed 24 hours to get out of town. On June Bth the Masterton Orchestral Society will hold Its first concert of the season. The society have in hand a very fine and varied programme, comprising works of some ot the best and most popular masters, which they will submit to their supporters and the public generally in the Town Hall on the above date. ' Mr Donald Macdonald, writing in a Melbourne paper, expresses the op;nion that Mr Alexander Macdonald, well known as a writer of books for b).vs, "maybe the next man tn make a dash for the South Pole on Shaekieton's old route from New Zealand."' Mr Alexander Macdonald, who left for England with Lieutenant Shackleton, was "on the Klondike" in the early days with Jack London. The dog team of which Jack London writes in his "Call of the Wild" snd "White Fang" were their own dogs. In those early days Canada and the United States both • claimed control of the Klondike One time a party of American cowboys came up without authority to enforce their claim. Thex*e was a fight. A sergeant-major of the Canadian forces led the Britishers, and the cowboys, who had demanded that the Union Jack should be hauled down, were driven off. Mr Macdonaid has a memento of this brisk little unrecorded fight in the form of a bullet in his foot. "They couldn't have got the flag down in any case," he told a friend, "because it was frozen stiff."

A somewhat peculiar case will shortly engage the attention of the Awarua Licensing Committee. The facts are thus stated by the "Winton Record": —"When the last redistribution of electorates was decided upon the township of Woodlands, in which there is a licensed hotel, was taken into Mataufa, a no-license electorate. This house is now being closed without the people of the district voting on that question. An attempt isjjbeing made (o remove this license from Woodlands to the exhotel at Waikivvi, closed six years ago, when reduction was carried in Awarua. This building is about two miles and a half from the Invercargill Post Office, and just a little over a mile from the boundary of the two electorates on the main thoroughfare leading into the town. At the last local option election the voting was not in favour of reduction, and the ballot paper does not contain an issue for an increase, so continuance throughout Awarua was carried." The "Record" understands that those attempting to get the transfer intend to appeal to a higher court if the committee's decision is against their.

At St. Matthew's Club meeting,., to-night, at half-past seven, Mr R... Brown will deliver a lecture on "The Brain." The annual Catholic social and iance will be held in the Town and Drill Halls, on June 2nd. The arrangements are well in hand for the function. The first annual meeting of the local branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be held in the Exchange Buildings at 8 o'clock on Friday evening. The St. Matthew's narriers Club held a run last evening, the course being along Chap?l Street, Kuripuni Lane, Makcra Road and Dixon Street, a total distance of about [our miles. ' About twenty members took part in the run. The committee appointed to make' arrangements in regard to the visit )f Mr R. McNab to Masterton will meet to-morrow evening, in the y.M.CA. Rooms, at 8 o'clock. The question of universal military training is attracting a good deal of interast locally. The anniversary of the Methodist Church is to be held on June 27th. The Sunday School scholars are to render special hymns, and are being trained by Mr S. Ralph. At a special meeting of the Church Trustees last night, it was decided to hold a large conversazione in connection with the Anniversary on the following Thursday, July Ist. The weekly meeting of the Endeavour Lodge was held in the Dominion Hall last evening, C.T. Bro. McLean presiding over a good attendance of members. Routine business was transacted. One new member was elected, and a candidate was proposed for membership, A social, will be held on the next Lodge night. '■ Jam . The theory that Germans, because* they wear spectacles, are a shortsighted nation found no favour with* the Rev. P. W. Fairclough whea hewas addressing members of the FreeKindergarten Association at Dunedin, He said there was no more shortsightedness in Germany than elsewhere, but that Germans paid more attention to their eyes than we did,, and, being a scientific people, had their sight tested. A meeting of the Friendly Societies' Council was held last evening,, the President, Bro. Pragnell, presiding. It was decided to hold theannual social and dance on July Bth.. A special vote of thanks was passed to local newspapers and the A.. and P. Association, for donations made to the Hospital demonstration. The proposed Friendly Societies' Act was discussed, several members, favouring a State Auditor of Lodgefunds. The clauses of the Act will: be again discussed at the next meeting of the Council. Parasite diseases that affect the* products of the fields and orchards (says an Ashburtonpaper) appear to be yearly on the increase, despite the vigilance of the Department of Agriculture. Recently Mr Urquharfc, ofj>.. Hampstead, discovered that his fruit: trees were covered with a species of scaly aphis the size of butter beans. This is the first occasion On which hehas noticed the insects in the district, though he has haJ a great deal to do< with orchards in the country.

"The closing of the woo! sales firm< at top prices must have a beneficialeffect in various directhns in this, district," stated a local farmer yesterday. "The position is that small! advances have been general against the clips, and speaking for myself r my margin over and above the advance is from £3 to £4 per bale, and \ I know many others likely to be in the same position. Some farrmes refrained from taking advances at all, on account of the uncertainty of wool matters a few months ago." Other farmers spoken to concurred in these remarks.

A concert in aid of the funds of the Choral Society will be held in the Town Flail this evening. A first class and varied programme is to be submitted. Mr J. Johnstone, a popular local tenor, will appear for the last time, as he is leaving for Auckland this week. Mr Johnston will sing "Mary," in the version used so effectively by the Royal Welsh Choir recently. Items will also be rendered *■ by Mrs H. S. Claugbton, Miss F. Elkins, Miss V. Edwards, Mr W. Iggulden, Mr R. H. Fisher, arid Mr Harry Hall, Mr H. Inns ('cello), Miss E. Hood, Miss M. Sutton and Mr H. S. Claughton (pianists).

"We expect to have quite as keen interest shown in next season's if not keener," stated a member of the Masterton Homing Pigeon Club yesterday. "We have had two most successful seasons for our two initial years of existence, quite beyond our anticipations, and we believe that when the old bird races recommence in October we shall have an increased . membership." "Perhaps the prospect tive wars and rumours of wars have caused such a live interest in the Club's affairs," was suggested to the pigeon fancier. "My word, now, the military people might just need our birds at some time or other — you never know," was the ready response.

The local Technological examinations in connection with the City and Guilds of London Institute will commence in the Master ton Technical School on Tuesday evening next, and will run on as per printed time-table-until the afternoon of Saturday, sth. June. Mrs W. H. Jackson has kindly consented to act as local examiner for the cookery examinations, wTTTch will be held in the Masterton District, High School, whilst Mr R. E. has been appointed to act in a similar capacity for the plumbers' practical examination, which will take place in the Technical School workshop, Dixon Street. The secretary, of the Technical School has been npA pointed chief superintendent the examinations.

The good work done by the working bees at Sol way Showgrounds is already bearing fruit in the splendid growth of "grass to be seen in that pretty locality at the present time.The recent warm rains have had',*, the effect ,of bringing the grass v: away splendidly, and the new grounds are a picture of verdancy. Mr E. Hale has generously donated four hundred ornamental trees to the A. and P. Association for planting at Solwa/,. and it is intended to arrange another working . bee shortly, to plant these. In the meantime the caretaker is busily employe &•. in planting deciduous trees in various parts of the grounds.-

**How is the market for horses just now in this district;?" was a query put to a local horse dealer yesterday. "Very dull indeed," was the reply, "and as for draughts they are a prefect drug on the market. The continued slackness of contracting work has caused draught horses to be quite out of demand." The very handsome twenty-five guinea cup presented by Mr W. U. Bidwill, of Rototawai, a member of the Masterton A. and P. Association, for the best light weight hack at the next Masterton Show, has been received by the secretary of the Association.

The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club intend to wind up their season with an enjoyable smoke concert in the Dominion Hal! on Thursday evening next. During the progress of the gathering the trophies won during the season will be presented The President, -(Mr James Payton.) w 1) preside at the function.

A series of important experiments are to be conducted shortly by farmers in this district. The experiments are in connection with the growing of oats and wheat, from samples provided by the New Zealand Government, and procured from Sweden, Russia, and other European countries, also Australia and Canada. The experiments will be supervised by-MrG.de Bayiiis. Government Superintendent of Experiments.

Unusually largo numbers of applications for casual relief continue to be received by the Benevolent authorities at Masterton. One authoriativs person stated yesterday that last week a very high average of applications for relief was experienced. The nature of the relief sought ranged over variousd commodities, sucb as boots, clothes, stores, meals and railway tickets. There are now seven patients in Solway Home, one having been admitted last week. Matters at the Home are proceeding very satisfactorily, the capable matron, Mrs Johns, maintaining the good reputation she has earned as a first-class administratrix of a somewhat responsible institution. The inmates of the Home seem very contented and comfortable, and speak in high terms of the Matron's treatment of them.

The entries for the Co Die Trials of the Masterton Collie Club are exceedingly satisfactory, and it is probable that instead of- two days being occupied for this important farmers' fixture, an extra day will be required. The trials take place in new surroundings this year—namely, at Mr VV. Cameron's property, Te Ore Ore, fur where vehicles will run from Masterton to convey persons desirous of attending the trials. ,

The building of the new carbonising plant for the Masterton Gasworks, at the south end of George Street, Masterton, is now completed, the painters only having a day or to put in on tVir contract. The Sew place has a somewhat striking appearance from an exterior view, having a skylight of unusual design, which rears itself up above the roof like a picturesque tower. The interior view is equally interesting, and shows how greatly steel is entering into the construction of modern buildings. The contract price for the new works was ovei £3,000, and the manner in which the work has been carried out is distinctly creditable to the builders.

The dismissing u'f a large number < of Borough bands from the outside casual staff last week has been the subject of inquiries from the public on ail hands. A Borough Councillor approached yesterday on Me matter said, "The matter is easily and shortly enough explained the Borough money for works has run out and the men must go. Not," he continued, "that the Council desire to see them go, as I for one, do not, and I contend that it is shameful for the Council to have to put their hands off in the midst of winter. There has, however, beea a cry for reduced rates, and other such demands, and, really, the Council had to do something." The following motion, to be moved by the Mayor, Mr P. L. Hollings, at the Borough Council meeting this evening, ha possibly some bearing on the matter:—"That a poll of the ratea pajtrs be taken on a proposal to borrow the sum of £12,000 for the construction and improvement of the roads and footpaths in the principal business and residential streets of the Borough." % Messrs Cole and Westerman require assistants* for their salvage sale. Mr F. P. Welch requires two experienced bushmen, a gardener, woman cook, lady help and generals. Messrs Cole and Westerman notify that their salvage sale will be held in their old premises, commencing at 10 o'cloek on Friday next. An address to the voters of the Trust Lands Trustees is inserted on page 1 of this issue by Mr Henry Evans, of Upper Plain, who is a candidate for a seat on the Trust at he forthcoming ellection. Mrs W. Home, in another column, thanks the Fire Brigade and Fire Police for the valuable assistance rendered a* - , the recent fire in the Trust Lands Trust block of buildings. Messrs Hare and Evans, land agents, Pahiatus, have for sale the lease of a first-clasa dairy farm. Particulars appear elsewhere. Messrs Dimock and Co., Ltd., announce that Monday, May 31st, and Tuesday, June Ist, are the next trucking dates for pigs at Eketahuna and Mauriceville, respectively. At the residsnce, Bruce street, tomorrow, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Mr S. J. Johnstone, the whole of the furniture and effects. Every line will be cleared without reserve. Elsewhere in this issue Messrs Veitch and Allan, of Cuba street, Wellington, give of special bargain parcels which will prove interesting for readers to peruse. In their glove department the W.F.C.A., Masterton, make a point of seeing that customers are properly fitted. Only the beat quality is kept, and patrons are guaranteed satisfaction. Messrs George and Kersley, announce a great sale of general drapery and furnishings to commence at . the Economic, Wellington, on Thursday next, when £50.000 of goods will be offered to the public at bargain prices.

Mr K G. Eton, a candidate for a seat on the Trust Lands Trust solicits the support of the voters at the poll on Thursday. Mr W. I. Husband, land agent, Pahiatua, has for sale a well improved farm of 25 acres suitable for sheep or dairy farming. Particulars will be found on page 8 of this issue.

A supply of latest Edison phonograph records is to hand at the Book Arcade, Queen street. 'he proprietors invite an early visit from their patrons so that they may make their selection before the most popular pieces have been disposed of.

Mr W. J. Richard", representing Adams, Ltd., is in Masterton at present, and is staying at the Club Hotel. Ho has with him two Minerva motor cars with which he is giving demonstrations to probable purchas-rs. The Minerva car is admittedly one of the best cars on the market, and the two which Mr Richards has in Masterton aie decidedly handsome and commodious cars. Anyone who is interested in cars and who would like to have an elaborate and comprehensive catalogue dealing fully with them, may have one posted on application to Mr Richards, Club Hotel, Masterton. Adams, Ltd., are abo agents for the renowned Talbot cars.*

For Children's Hacking Coughs a night, "Woods' Great Teppwrnint Cure 1/6 and 2/8.