LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3207, 5 June 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A ballot for £3OO of interest will be held by the Workers' Mutual Benefit Building Society on June 17th. The Masterton Branch of the Navy League intends shortly to put on a proper footing the campaign for school branches of the League. The only school branch so far in a thoroughly organised state is that of the District High School, which has 130 members. The Secretary of the Trust Lands Trust has received the following insurances in connection with the recent Queen street fire:—Northern Assurance Company, £312, 13s 9d; London and Lancashire Assurance Company, £250; Alliance Assurance Company, £93 13s. "My wtrd for it, before mary months are gone, there will be a considerable rise in the value of fat stock. New Zealand i 3 being slowly drained, a fact, which is now becoming known." These (says the Waverley correspondent of the "Patea Press") were the words of a man in whose intelligence and integrity I have full confidence, and I hope therefore farmers will investigate and act accordingly. Mr Ronayne, General Manager of Railways, was asked by a member of the Timber Commission at Wellington if there was any likelihood of a reduction of railway rates. He said there was no prospect of that. "Instead of lowering the rates we shall have to do something else. The time is one for the saving of every farthing in connection with the railways."

The Custodian of the Masterton Racecourse reports that the track at Opaki is in splendid order at present, having had sheep on it for the last month. The "plough" has been thoroughly well grubbed up, and when disced and rolled will be in first-class order for training. The grass track is standing very well considering the large number of horses being exercised on it daily.

An elder sifter was suing an elderly brother for maintenance at the S.M. Court, Wellington, on Monday last, and when defendant was called the woman, interrogating no one in particular, asked: "Is that Richard?" indicating the defendant. When kicbard was put in the witness box the doubt was* explained—Richard had only aeen his sister once in thirty-five years. Almost simultaneously proposals have come from two different parts of the/North Island to form a Hockey Referees' Association. From the Wanganui Association and from Wellington communications have been received at Masterton suggesting the formation of such an Association. A local referee of repute considerate proposal an - excellent one, and believes that contemporaneous propositions having been made as stated something tangible is likely to accrue.

The Hawera agent for the Christchurch Meat Company, was (says a Taranaki paper) the • victim of a dastardly'(outrage in Hawera a few nights ago. He was assauited and robbed oE JS4O or £SO which he had in his possession. His assailants kicked and maltreated him in such a way that he sustained very severe injuries, and according to advices received by friends in Eltham, he is in a rather serious condition. The matter is in the hands of the police. .

At the Police Court, yesterday morning, before Mr G. Heron, J.P., John Flanaghan, for his third offence of drunkenness during the statutory period of six months, was.mulcted in the sum of 20s, in default seven days' imprisonment, Michael Byrne, a fourth offending inebriaate, was fined 20s, in default seven days' imprisonment. A charge of committing a grossly indecent, act was also preferred against Bryne, for which he received a sentence of seven days' imprisonment, without the option of a fine, both sentences to be concurrent.

The births recorded at Christcharcb for last month (222) constitute a record for the office. » There are said to be about two hundred members of the Seamen's Union in Wellintgon looking for ships and unable to find them. The Y.M.C.A. Scout Troop will parade at the rooms at 2 p.m. to-day to undergo further instruction under Scout Master Collier. The second term of the classes ire connection with the Masterton Technical School will commence on Mon-« day evening next. P. W. Tait, charged with stabbing David McCall, was again remanded at Wellington, yesterday, McCall being still unable to appear at the Court. The mocn presented a most beautiful and unusual sight from Masterton last evening. It was encircled by a brilliant hued halo, resembling in its tints a lunar rainbow, the remarkable sight attracting much admiration. These lunar phenomena usual presage bad weather. The next civil .sittnigs of the Magistrate's Court at Masterton will be held on Thursday,' being the first civil sitting to be held at Masterton by Mr W. P. James, S.M., since his return from .Australia. A fair amount of business has been set down for the sitting.

A mishap occurred to a brake owned by Messrs Levin and Co., Ltd., yesterday. The horses attached to the vehicle turned the corner of Perry and Chapel Streets rather suddenly, and the brake collided with a telegraph tost. The damage to the vehicle occasioned was a broken .shaft and bent axle, the horses and driver not meeting with any injury.

The residence being erected at Lansdowne for Mr W. H. Cruickshank will, when completed, be one of the most up-to-date jn the it is to haV6 many features makingfor convenience and comfort, not afc present found in' any other house In Masterton, and it will also have other novel details in private house designing. The residence will be completed in about two months* time.

The Manager of the Masterton Abattoirs (Mr A. D. Gillies) states that just now stock of exceptionally fine quality are passing through the works. Judging by the fine gaslight displays of meat being made in local butcher shoos Mr Gillies' statement is quite justified. The condition of local pastures for months past is undoubtedly responsible for tha prime condition of all local farmers' stock.

At a well attended meeting of the committee and supporters of universal military training, held last evening in the Borough Council Chambers, the following resolutionn was enthusiastically carried: "That notwithstanding the enthusiasm of the volunteers, the voluntary system does not provide adequate means of defence; we therefore ask the Government to introduce a system of universal military training of the young men, and that a copy of the resolution be telegraphed to the Premier." "There is to be no- more rifle shooting now until our second annual Handicap Rifle mieeting at Fail-view, in spring," said a prominent member of the Opaki Rifle Club yesterday. "We are looking forward to opening' next season with the same promise as we have over past seasons. The handicap meeting is a fixture likely to into great popularity, as it gives such great opportunities to young shots. Last year over seventy riflemen attended the meeting, which was a great success."

Under dale May 31st the Waikaia correspondent of the "Otago Daily Times" writes:—The " Marterton Dredge is on some poor ground just now, but is treating a lot of wash. The wash is overburdened with pug. which has to be treated independently. The Mystery Flat Dredge is working very steadily. The stripping is very much lighter in some parts of the face. The aredgemaster is giving: Knuckey ar.d Junker's coal or oil shale a trial, and if it proves satisfactory it should result in a great saving in'the fuel bill.

For some time '•here has been s jspicion that pheasants were being; shot in the Auckland district for commercial purposes, and a sharp lookout was kept by the police for any suspicious circumstances. In the Coromandel district suspicion fast ened on a certain box, which wns consigned by a steamer to" Auck land, and this box was "shadowed," eventually being pounced upon by officers of the law at one of the city hotels. The contents consisted of hen pheaasnts, and it is understood that proceedings will be taken by the police in due course.

After ordinary Lodge business last evening the Foresters-' Lodge held a social at which there was was a large attendance. A most enjoyable evening was spent. S&ngs were rendered bv Messrs Chunn, Walsh, Kyi?, Collier, Haughe.v, O'Kegan, Gough, Spratt, Rue and recitations by Messrs B. Chapman and R. Russell. The following toasts were honoured"The King"; Foresters' Lodge," proposed by Mr Haughey, responded to by Mr A. Chapman; "Kindred Societies," Mr J. B. Rue—Messrs o'Regan and Dixon; "Visitors," Mr Smithurst— Mr H. Wimsett. "Press," Mr V. Darroch—Mr B. Chapman. The numerous water races crossing the main road between Carterton and Masterton, which have been the bane of motor car owners ever since such came into use in the district, are now, owing to the very large number of cars owned in the Valley, undoubtedly a very considerable inconvenience. Speaking on the subject yesterday, a Masterton resident who owns a oar saH he would be more than willing to co-tribute to the cost of placing culverts across the road sufficiently wide to take two card abreast over the streams. As matters are now, this gentleman stated, not only is the trip to Carterton and southwards considerably lengthened, but the wear and tear on the cars is very severe, and some cars are so low set that they are unable to get right across the deeper races in *imes of a fresh, and great inconvenience results About two years ago an Association known as the Wairarapa Automobile Association was formed, and took up the matter mentioned, but nothing eventuated, and the Association seems to have become quite defunct..

Mr C. A. Pownall left for Tinui, this morning, to defend James Wylies, ■who is to be charged with bjriiing grain stacks valued at £250, the property of Mr O'Connor. Mr James, S.M., will preside. A statement was made by Mr Ames, city valuer, lately to the effect that selling values in Wellington, .particularly in the suburbs, were not :'so high at present as they two or three years ago. For instance, land at Island Bay, which was selling for £lO a foot a couple of years back, would now fetch only about £7, A "meet" of the hounds is to take •place at Te Parae to-day, when Mr W> H. Buick will act as Master cf the hounds. There is every probability of a large attendance of members of the Wairarapa Hunt Club, •ander the auspices of which the meet is to take place. Mr Erl Williams will provide afernoon tea. The' Rev. A. Hodge will conduct the services in the Congregational Cfcureh, to-morrow. The subject in the morning will be the first of a abort series of sermons on Immortality, "immortality needed to for the ill 3 suffered in ■this life," and the evening "Castles in Mr Hodge will deliver a lecture on the "Housing Problem." illustrated by lantern views, on Tuesday night. One of the many virtues ascribed to the average Chinese is that he never, or rarely, gets drunk at least in public. But one has been distinguishing himself in the Thames ftown last week. On the occasion in question the offender was in charge '•of a horse and cart, and he zig-zagged •down the streets amid much amuse>ment from' the sidewalks and anathema from other drivers,who found .va difficulty in avoiding a collision. - Finally a couple of constables, in the interests of the Chinese, and of jus- ! tice, decided to put him out of harm's way, and escorted him to the station, Apropos of the cablegram from Melbourne stating that there are a considerable number of Russian anar--cfeists in Australia, it is interesting •to note that there are a considerable unumber'of Russian emigrants in Wellington* Whether .or not there are ' any anarchists or political refugees amongst it is impossible to say. ' They seem for the most part to be Russian Jews, who prefer the free>'dom and liberty in New Zealand to ■the terrorism of Russia. Many of them can scarcely speak English. 1 They have a society or club which 'meets weekly, socialistic and other imatters being They apipeav to be developing into good <co3onists, and their children not only attend the public schools, but do .rerrarkably well there.

jt3ie weekly parade of the Masterton Rule Volunteers was held last evening in the Drill Hall, under Captajn Robinson and Lieutenant Haslam. The Corps were instructed in semaphore :signallinfr by Sergeant Prentice. A 'Morris Tube match was subsequently /field betwen two team 3 selected. The isliooting was of a high order of merit, and the possible of 30 was made by Private Hornblow. Follow-'-ivg are the scores Sergeant Wintar'a team: Sergeant Winter, 26; Quartermaster Sergeant Levien 24 ; Sp r geant Prentice, 23; Privates Miller, 18; Dixon, 17; Stewart, 19; total, 127. Sergeant Cole's team: Privates Hornblow, 30; Cole, 26; Brooks, 26; Sergeant Cole, 25 ; Sergeant Peiry, 24; Private Williams, 18; total, 12S.

A big muster of the Y.M.C.A. TJoye Scouts assembled at the rooms last evening, to witness the presentation of badges to the winning team in connection with last Thursday's Despatch Race. Dr. N. Prior rpresided and apologies for absence were received from the President (Mr P. L. Hollings), and the Physical Culture Instructor (Mr P.. 0. Jarrett). Prior to the presentation short speeches were delivered by Mr E. Collier (Scout Master) and Messrs R. Brown and C. E. Daniell. Mr Greenwood, Manager of the Book Arcade Company, kindly supplied several very entertaining phonographic selections, which were greatly appreciated. At the conclusion of the evening cheers were given for Dr. Prior, the Boy's . Scout Master and the various gentle- . men who donated the badges. Messrs J. A. J. Maclean and and Co. advertise particulars of a number of ■properties which they have for sale, whbh should be closely perused by prospective purchasers. Some genuine bargains are included irithe list, j At the Masterton Auction Mart, to dav, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Mr Steinberg, importer, a line selection of watches and jewellery, and on behalf of Mrs J. Jelley . furniture and effects. Mr Geo. Olliver, of 62 Pine street, Masterton, has good clean coal for sale Qt from nine shillings per scwt. Orders will be promptly delivered. Mr Olliver intends to run an up-to-iy date wood and coal yard, and as his premises are centrally situated, and he has ample storage yards he should receive a full share of public support. The alterations to the shop in Queen street, taken by Mr Hugh Long as a meat mart, were carried 9it expeditiously by Mr J. Coradine and Mr Long was enabled to open on Friday with a very fine display of meat. In another column he notifies that his price 3 are stilPthe lowest in town. " \ The shop lately occupied by Mr A. Norman, while untenanted, is being A used by Mr Daniell as a studio too ' display paperhangings. Many people do not care to accept an invitation to inspect merchants' goods, j but this opportunity offered is one that should not be missed. Mr Daniell extends a cordial irvitation to inspect and criticise the wall papers, and ■ wishes to point out that as the shop js unattended, the quality and range of gooils may ba inspected without anyone being under an obligation lo effect a purchase. Mr W. Burridge, of the Eagle Brewery, Masterton, has secured a lepot in Carterton, from where all rders will be distributed after June lOtb. Mr Burridge wishes to particu- ; liriy impress upon clients that it A. vill be quite unnecessary to acquaint he clerk of the Court in reference to • tes or may wish de 7 ivered. He states that orders can be •ent direct to him at Carterton, and prompt delivery will result. He intends to connect with the Carterton telephone bureau, so that residants in the Masterton No-license area who are desirous of placing orders may do so per telephone.

A reliable housemaid is advertised for by Mrs A. Casdbarg, Sussex street. A reminder is given of the auction sale of meat to be held at the Post Office Meat Mart, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to-day. Another of those genuine sales of drapery, ctockery, ironmongery and boots and shoes, for Messrs John Graham and Co., Masterton, are noted, will open today, and if the figures quoted in an inset circulated with this issue can be taken as a criterion, there is a big bargain time ahead for prudent buyers. The firm has now reached its annual stocktaking pericd, and in order to substantially reduce in the departments mentioned they have cut profits clean out of the question. The inset is well worthy of close perusal, and the prices, which ara remarkable for their lownesa, carefully noted. The sale period is restricted to fourteen days. Messrs J. Smith and Sons, painters, house decorators and signwriters, have renovated the premises in Queen street (next to Lee and Boxhall, butchers), and will open there this morning with a very large and of wall papers, friezes and other lines known to the trade. The interior of the premises is decorated in a manner that indicats the very high class work uf which the firm is capable. Some decidedly good oil and water paintings from the brush of the senior member of the firm (Mr J. Smith) are also exhibited. In this connection residents should note that a guessing competition will be held to-morrow evening, when the public will be permitted to guess free of charge the number of rolls of paper ir the shop, and two handsome framed oil paintings will be given as first and second prizes. Guesses must be recorded between 7 and 9 'clock this evening, and the results will be announced in the Wsirarapa Age on Tuesday., A mule can kick both hard and quick, Aid when you least expect it; A cold may kill, and often will Defy yoa to reject it. But Woods you know some time ago, And after years of thinking, Invented his Great Peppermint Cure, Which stops all colds like winking.s