LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3203, 1 June 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There were six marriages, five deaths and twenty-five births in Masterton during the month of May. Amy Bock, says the Christchurch "Evening News," is tne first woman to be declared a habitual criminal. Mr John Hunter has generously donated thrne guineas towards the funds of St. John Ambulance Brigade. A motion for a new trial on the urounds of misdirection of the jury will be argued in the District Court, this morning, in the case of Hodge v. Nunn, in which plaintiff obtained a verdict on Saturday for £4O for wrongful dismissal. Yesterday saw the demolition of the portion of the Trust Lands Trust buildings which suffered so severely through the recent fire. The workmen are now engaged in removing the debris of ashes and charred tnn--beron the site. , During the month ot May two bankruptcies were dealt with in Masterton by Mr W. B. Chenoells, D.0.A., one of which occurred in Masterton, and one in Carterton, since the beginning of the year eleven bankruptcies were dealt with. Mr H. M. Boddington, secretary of the Masterton branch of the National Defence League, has received word that Mr R. McNab will not arrive in Masterton till this afternoon. The proposed luncheon will therefore have to be abandoned. When speaking to a "Lyttelton Times" reporter, Mr McNab said he was very gratified at the manner in which he was supported by volunteers at all of his meetings. "It has been represented ' in some places," he said, "that I am condemning the voluteers. As a matter of fact, I am only condemning the system under we are compelling thsse men to work." "What do you mean by suffering from shock?" asked Mr Wilford in a case before the Wairarapa District Court yesterday, in which a local ; medico deposed to a plaintiff having suffered from shock. "By that I mean something real in the way of injury," was the reply. "Is not shock rather a general medical expression," presisted counsel, "applied, as a learned Judge once said, chiefly to injuries sustained in railway collisions, and for which the best remedy is a 'substantial damages' plaster?" "No," smiled the witness, "it is meant to express something quite definite." f,

What is claimed to be a record for New Zealand in theatre booking was established at Mr W. Miller's, fn Gisborne, recently, when 1,400 seats for the "Merry. Widow" season were taken up in an hour. At a meeting of the Masterton Municipal Band, last evening, a lettei* was received from the Committee appointed to make arrangements in connection with Mr R. McNab's visit, asking if the Band would be willing-to play a few selections prior to the lecture this evening. It was unanimously decided to accede to the Committee's request.

A meeting of householders was held in the Te Ore Ore School last evening to elect a School Committee for the ensuing year, Messrs J. Morris (Chairman),A. J. Percy, O.J. Percy, G. Shaw, L. Don* Id, W. Cooper, E. Hunt, Mr G. ,A. Jones (Secretary), being appointed. At Te Whiti the follow"ng were appointed a Committee:—Messrs A. Turner (Chairman), B. Rayner (Secretary),. J. Corlett, H. Hemi, S/Reri. - "Show the Court the injured leg, if you don't mind," said Mr Wilford to a plaintiff in the District Court yesterday. The plaintiff duly exposed a pearly white limb. "What's that swelling at the back of it?" inquired the Judge, eyeing the leg curiously, "Merely calf," replied the Wellington lawyer, with a smile (the plaintiff was a dairyman). "Don't get pulling his leg," remarked Mr Pownall, sotto voce. Two great "catches" of rabbits were made near Kawarau Gorge on a couple of nights, last week, in a rather easy way (says the "Cromwell Argus"). A small paddock of English grass at the foot •of the range with a wire-netting fence was opened in a few places to allow "bunny" to come in, and quietly closed during the night, with the result that 255 were secured the first night and 122 the second night. At the District Court at Masterton,' yesterday, His Honor. Judge Haselden gave judgment on the questions of law reserved in the case Buttrey v. Gordon, in which the jury gave a verdict for plaintiff for £SO damages for malicious prosecution. The Judge did not disturb the findings of the jury, and upheld the verdict, with costs in favour of plaintiff. A witness of foreign-extraction- v was quite unconsciously flippant before the District Court at Masterton yesterday. "Does the defendant bear >ou any spite?" he was asked. "Yes," was the reply, "he has a 'nose'on me." A few minutea later he related how he had been fined "five quid,—about eight quid altogether, with costs." But the Court could simply not repress a smile when he stated that he had certain papers at home in his "port-sammy." A concert will.be held on Thursday next, at Lansdowne, in aid of the funds of the Lansdowne School. A strong committee, with Mr Gosnell as secretary, has all the arrangements well in hand, and an excellent programme has bean drawn up. Amongst those who will contribute items are Mesdames Taplay, Edwards, '"'upre, Misses Hond, A.T.C.L., McKenzie (2), and Messrs Iggulden. H. Hall, Drimmind. Parker,' Hunn, Keihana Boyea, Nevins and W. Thompson. The Boys will give a Maori haka.

The Catholic social, to he held in the Drill Hail, to-morrow, promisesto be the usual great success that the function under similar auspiceshave previously proved. The Very Rev. Dean Mckenna has been labouring assiduously to prepare matters, and with the assistance of a scrongcommittee he has assured a most: enjoyaole evening for patrons of the social. The floor has been speciallyprepared, first-class music arranged for; and special attention given to the catering exigencies.

The motor car is not when running: at low speed thd dangerous engine to pedestrians it is suposed to be,, judging by a witness before the District Court ysteerday. He stated —and he is a long-experienced chauffeur—that he had seen a carweighing a ton and a quarter goingat low speed run. over both legs of & little girl of eight years old, and after the incident the little girl ran off as if nothing had happened. "Had the car been going at high-speed the result would have been different," remarked the witness.

At the Police Court, yesterday morning, before Mr M. C. J.P., George Henry Wright was< charged with insobriety and also resisting the police in the execution of their duty. Sergeant Miller stated that accused was very drunk in the street. He resisted the police so violently that he had to be taken to the lock-up in a cab. He . was convicted and discharged on the first charge, and on the second was fined 40s, in default 14 days' imprisonment. was allowed a month in which to pay. the fine.

A South Canterbury farmer, wellknown for his oratorical ability, has jusureeeived an offer from a philanthropist in the Dominion of £1 per day and expenses to stump the country against trusts and combines, particularly those dealing with the necessaries of life. Speaking to a Timaru "Herald" reporter on the subject of the offer, he said that if the directors of the Millers' Association knew the bombshell he could explode among them they would., shake in their shoes for fear of the ' wrath to come. The offer is still under consideration.

The last Boer war emphasised how valuable rifle defence can be made in connection with the internal defence of a country. In New Zealand the fact is becoming more widely recognised every day, and the action that Mr McNab is taking is producing an excellent effect. A similar movement i-i on foot in other parts of the British Empire. Lord thuen, when presenting tb.o I prizes won ai he Transvaal rifle meeting at Buovsens, said it was. now being recogniseii as the du y of a colony to maintain a force fur self-defence, either Militia or Volunteer. The establishment of a reserve in the form of rifle clubs, composed of men men who had served in the late war, would be admirable, and such should be supplied free with a rifle and 150 rounds of ammunition annually, pruvided they would undertake to serve in time of war. South Africa, his lordship continued, should possess an organised territorial army on the same lines as Great Britain, and he hoped he would be able to lay the foundation of that army.

Mr William Short, the King's ttrmpeter, who has just returned © England after visiting Aus'ralia and New Zealand, says he was greatly impressed by the enthusiasm which sue colonial people display in organising and dri |U ~v; bodies of instrumentalists, bet when acting as adjudicator, ' , did not hesitate to tell die orchestras and bands that their test performances were below the standard achieved for many years past in England While admitting that many of the instrumentalists showed marked skill, Mr Short pointed out the need for greater cohesion in combined playing.

. Mr Clement L. Wmgce writes from aumarur.ui as follows to a Northern parser:—"lt seems that dome people are fogged about the boundaries covered by the named atmospheric disturbance. Will you kindly allow me to enlighten them? Take 'Massey' of redoubtable fame and prowess, especially in the South Island. Well—the name applies to the whole disturbing system, and thus rot only embraces the trough, or hollo'T, of the low, or cyclonic, pressure, but also the steep gradient isobars of the adjoining or correlative anti-cyclnnic, or high pressure system. Positives and negatives govern the cosmos, and when one sees unusual development at the apex or centre of an anti-cyclone, there must be a corresponding energy in the cyclone, for the two systems eacn maintain the* other. Frequently villainous little subsidiary, or satellite, disturbances may be flung off when the main system strikes the land, and it takes the weather man all his time to watch their vagaries, which are modified or increased by the potent factors of physical geography."

A Gisborne resident has received a latter, dated March 26th, from his son in London, in which the'writer states: —"We have been hearing a lot about New Zealand here during the fast week, with the offer of Dreadnoughts, and I don't suppose any name has been more advertised and before the public than New Zeland. Last Monday when I was going down the city I saw all the way down Charing Cross, Fleet street, the Strand, and Cheapside, hundreds of newspaper boys carrying big extras with 'New "Zealand's Splendid Offer to the Motherland' printed on them. Other extras said: 'New Zealand offers two Dreadnoughts to the Navy,' and the boys were singing out: '10.30 extra. New Zealand's Loyal Offer to the" Mother Cuuntry.' On Thursday, after the House of Commons had met to consider the New Zealand offer and had accepted it, bi2; extras were all over London saying: 'New Zealand's offer gratefully accepted by the Government,' and everywhere you would hear people saying: 'By Jove, what a fine country that New Zealand is; what a pity we hadn't got some more like it.'"

A smart lad is wanted for office work.

An advertiser has for sale several good gun dogs. Notice is given by the Mauriceville County Council that certain roads in that County are closed to timber traffic.

Messrs George and Kersley's advertisement on page 6 of this issue forms interesting reading for the ladies of the Wairarapa. The Harrier Club, under the auspices of St. Matthew's Club, will hold their weekly "run" this evening.

There is no room for fa cold where Barradough's Acacian Lung Balsam is used. The merits of this excellent preparation are set out in clever verse in another column. Messrs Levin and Co., Ltd., will offer a large catalogue at the Masterton wool, skin and hide sales, on Wedensday next, including 150 bales and 80 bags of wool, and crutchings, and 3,000 skins.

Mr F. J. Staples, of the Potaerau Dairy is a cash buyer of one or two gallons of cream weekly. Mr Staples also notifies his customers that he does not intend to raise the price of milk during the winter months.

Mrs Saba and Son have received at their Masterton premises (Holloway's Buildings) a very fine assortment of ladies' nair ornaments, both novel and varied in character. Pretty necklets for evening wear, and jewellery novelties for the tohet are also exhibited.

Mr J. Carpenter, of the Central Shoe Store, anticipated the requirements "f the ladies of Masterton and district in his selection of evening shoes. The assortment on view in his Queen street premises is a decidedly good one, such as ladies who like dainty yet serviceable footwear desire to have.

Messrs Cole and Westerman's "Great Fire Sale" is still being conducted with great success. The public are invited to call and see for themsalves the range_of bargains offered by the firm.

Messrs Barraud and Abraham, Ltd., of Palmerston North, Dannevirke and Feilding, notify that after June 30th they will be able to supply residents requirements in wines, beers and spirits. They stock Whyte and Mackay whiskies, Carf6nt's brandy, colonial and continentl wines Carlsberg beers'—Pilsner and lager.

There was a good attendance iu St. Matthew's Schoolroom last evening, to hear the lecture on Japan, given by Rev. J. H. Sykes, Upper Hutt Hate Vicar of Tenui). The lecture was illustrated throughout by a'set of magnificent lantern views of the national beauties of Japan. The address was a most interesting and

instructive one, and was listened to with the keenest interest by all prea- ' ent. At the conclusion of the lecture a collection was made, which resulted in the sum of about £3 being realised. The weekly meeting of the Endeavour Ljdge was held in the Dominion Hall last evening, A.C.T. McLean occupying the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Routine business was transacted, after which the Lodge adjourned for the purpose of admitting visitors, and spending a social evening, the chair being taken by the Lodge Deputy, Bro. Heyhoe. An overture was played by Miss Luke, of Napier, and items were also contributed'by the following:—Master H. Miller, Mr J. B. Thomson, C.T. Bro. McLean, Miss Luke, Bro. Leighton, and Sis. M Her.

An acvertiser advertises for two boarders, single room each. From Friday morning next, Mr M. 0. Aronsten will assume sole proprietorship of the Post Office Meat Mart, Hall street, Masterton. He has made arrangements for the selection of stock from some of the best herds and flocks in the district, and assures customers that they can rely on getting only the primest of meat. A specialty will be made of small goods and poultry, and orders will be called for and promptly delivered. The telephone number is 258.

Mr T. J. Porter, of the Club Hotel, intends to maintain the premises, as a private hotel, after nolicense has taken effect. From July Ist next business men and visitors to the town will be able to secure a first-class luncheon daily for Is 6d, and special terms will be allowed to monthly customers. As soon as the necessary alterations are marie to the interior of the tiotel, afternoon tes, suppers, etc., will be supplied. Mr Porter has a reputation for first-class catering, and under his capable supervision he will doubtless build up as good a connection under no license as he has done under license. Particulars are given in an advertisement on page 1 'of this issue. Intending investors in a life insurance policy should carefully peruse an advertisement from the Australian Mutual Provident Society, which appears in another cotemn of this issue. The figures are such as must convince one that this Society offers something decidedly out of the ordinary in the way of large bonuses, and unlimited security. Mr H. T. Francis is district secretary, with offices in Perry street, Masterton. Mr Harry Preston, who has disposed of his property and is relinquishing business, has instructed Messrs Abraham and Williams to sell at Lansdowne, on Thursday, 10th inst., at 1 p in., the whole of his horses and contractor's plant. The auctioneers state that they can recommend the horses, which are of a particularly staunch and sound character. They are corn-fed and in splendid condition. Mr Preston's team of five has delivered in one load 186 sacks of 03ts (equivalent to \'6l tons), also 6,660 feet sawn timber at one time, a distance of thirty miles. Full particulars appear on page 8 of this iss^e. One of the, oldest established, and most reliable firms of wine and spirit merchants in the Dominion is that of Messrs Hunt.and Co., 59. Victoria street, Wellington. They have a reputation for stocking the leading brands of spirits and beers, and their clients, are numbered by the hundreds. in an advertisement in another column this firm notifies the public of Masterton and surrounding districts that they are prepared to supply spirits and ales in quantities not less than that stipulated by law to any address. Price lists and terms will be supplied on application, or orders may be sent through the telephone to No. 666, Wellington. | Exceptional value m Winter Millinery; I smart naw-shaped toques trimmed wish velvet; fur, and wing; in all colours at 2Ls and 25s each. Large shapes in silks, velvets, felts, and \ straws; in every imaginable shade' beautifully trimmed, from 193 Cd. The small tweed hat so much in favour for wet weather, may be obtained in any colour, with a pretty wing at the side, 8s 6d. Kor smart new millinery, see the display r.t Mrs Mathewsjn's, iiambton Quay, Wellington.— Advt.