LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9224, 23 June 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Eketahuna County Council has decided that the general rate for this year should be ljd in the £. The Hawke's Bay A. and P. Association has now a membership of over 1,0(0. The boy scout movement is rapidly spreading in the Wairarapa and Fortv-Mile Bush districts. A patrol has just been formed at Newman. The Mayor of Eketahuna has given notice tttafc he will move at the next Council meeting that a rate of 2£d in the £ be struck for the year 1909-10.

One day last week no fewer than 63' applicants for work waited on an Ashburton labour agent. Acting on the advice of the agent, a large number of the men left for the South.

The first flying machine to be made imported into New Zealand is now on its way here. It is being imported by Mr Tait, of theatrical fame, and will be exhibited at various places throughout the Dominion. The question of how long it takes to clear the two largest theatres in Dunedi'n of their audiences was decided by Mr John Fuller, jun., when both buildings were crowded. His Majesty's was emptied in two and three-quarter minutes, and the Princess in three and a half.

The usual meeting of Endeavour Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held on Monday evening last Bro. McLean, C.T., presiding. Routine business was transacted, after which the lodge was thrown open to visitors, a very pleasant evening being spent. The following contributed items:—Song. Bro. Leighton; recitations by Mr D* B. Thomson and Mrs Miller; reading by Mr Thomson. Short addresses were given by Bros. Heyhoe, Collier, Gilbert, and T. McLeau,

The female branch of trie Christchurch Government Labour Bureau continues to be well patronised. Last month the office was instrumental in placing no fewer than 77 domestic servants.

The Hawke's Bay A. and P. Society, at its annual meeting yesterday, allocated £4,u00 for the coming year's expenses, being an increase of £SOO on last year. Last year's operations resulted in a net profit of over £SOO. It is understood that during the next few weeks an indepondentjpolitical gathering will be held in Auckland to mark the past services of Mr W. P. Massey, both as regards the interests of the Opposition and the country generally.

Tc-morrow evenine the-Masterton Fire Police will hold their annual social and dance in the Foresters' Hall. This has always be tin a popular and very enjoyable function, and the Committee have been working hard for the success of this year's gathering.

Mr T. B. Mason, Secretary of the Nireaha Co-operative Cheese Company, anticipates that the cost of running the factory will be increased by at least £SO per annum by the enforcement of the new Dairy Workers' Award, says the Eketahuna "Express." The telegraphing of the result of the Arnst —Webb race for the sculling championship of the world, yesterday afternoon, was a smart piece of work. The message was handed in at Makirikiri at 2.33 o'clock, and was received in Masterton in less than a minute. The result was made known here by means of Age extras just two minutes after the telegram was put on the wires.

There Is a good deal of scarlet fever prevalent in Dunedin at present, and the accommodation at the Fever Hospital at Lake Logan is fully taxed. During last week, says the "Ctago Daily Times," a case came under the notice of the Hospital Board, where a mother and four children in one family in the city were suffering from scarlet fever, and provision had to'be made for their care.

In the early part of 1908 a man named John Usher was convicted at Auckland on charges of burglary, and was sentenced to five years. He escaped from Waiotapu prison camp, and no trace of him could be found in New Zealand, and his finger-prints and description were sent to Scotland yard. Recently a series of burglaries was committed at Bournemouth, in England, and a man was arrested. Comparisons of his finger-prints with those sent from New Zealand pointed to hitn as Usher. Detective Cassells has been sent Home for the purposa of identification.

Applications for shares in the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, Ltd., are now coming in freely, and there is every indication that the bulk of the capital will be secured within the next few weeks. Among the larger subscribers are Messrs F. Armstrong (Akitio), Chas. Herbert, D. G. Speedy (Herhertville'l, Mrs Franklin (Ti Tree Point), and Mr L. G. Urosse (Weber). Steps are now being taken to canvass every district systematically. The local canvasser, Mr T. JRiddell, who has just received his appointment, is meeting with the success the promoters anticipated. "Too small for requirements," is the description of the Amokura given bv the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Marine. There was not even room for a schoolmaster on board, he said in Wellington. He hoped that a larger vessel would be obtained, which could be used more as a depot ship, would allow of many more boys being taken. No boy who had not passed the fourth staudard could at present be added to the ship's company, because there was no educational facilities aboard the vessel. He hoped that in time to come they would not only be able to man the mercantile marine with locally trained lads, but also provide boys for the Navy and for the defence of New Zealand's coasts. /

A wrestling match for £SO aside between R. J Scott (Stratford) and Louis Robertson ( Marton) took place at Stratford on Thursday evening, resulting in a win for Scott, who secured falls in the third and fifth bouts. In the latter the New Zealand champion secured a waist hold and lifted Robertson bodily from the ground, giving him a heavy fell. Robertson was for a short time "winded." the first to proffer assistance being the victor, apologetic for the unintentional heaviness of the throw. The weights were —Scott 14.0, Robertson 10.7. At the conclusion of the match Scott called for cheers for Robertson, who, he said, would "turn up3ide down" anyone in New Zealand for his weight. Scott formerly resided in Masterton.

After masquerading as a man for eight years, because she thougnt it gave her a better chance to make progress in the world. Maud Allen, alias James Allen, a bright young negro woman, has been arrested in Baltimore for wearing male attire, says a New York paper. That her theories may have been correct is attested by frbe fact that as a giri in her 'teens she passed at the head of her class in a ooys' high school, and as a young woman in trousers she became a teacher in the public schools of Baltimore. She was an activo worker in the Ebenezer Baptist Church, and taught a class of men in the Sunday schorl. She shaved her head and grew a beard. Sha is now twenty-four years old, and has been wearing men's clothes since she was sixteen.

The following is the statement of Alfred Rebay, hotelkeeper, Mauriceville, who has filed a petition in bankruptcy:— Unsecured creditors, £9O 7s lOd; secured creditors, £525; total debts, £615 7a lOd; assets, stock in trade at hotel, £32; book debts, £4O, estimated to produce £to; cash in bank, £ls; furniture, £300; total, £387; deficiency, £228 7s lOd. The unsecured creditors are as follow : —Masterton. —F. Holloway, £9; Dr W H. Hosking, £3 3s; G. W. Moy, £3 4s; Kong Fong, £2; Wairarapa Age, £2 Is; J. Dixon, £5. Mauriceville, Co-operative store, £25; A. Larsen, £ls; C. Hoffeins, £lO 4a; W. Fisher. £3; N.Z. Acerylene Gas|Co., £5 12s lOd; Page and Page, £7 3s. The secured creditors are as follow: —Barraud and Abraham, Palmerston North, £230; Burton Brewery Company, Palmerston North, £145; H. Johnson, Masterton, £150; security £3OO.

i The death occurred in the Master-'' i ton Hospital yesterday, of Mrs P Barry, a well-known resident of Masterton. The funeral will take place to-day, leaving the Masterton Hospital at 2.30 p.m. Serious complaints are being made from all parts of Victoria of overworking on the railways. In some places, it is said, men have had to remain on duty for 24 to 48 hours withut being relieved. Messrs Reihaoa Boyes, H. Inns, Goddard, G. Gray, and Mcintosh, have been engaged as an orchestra to f supply the music at the Ambulance.,** social and dance on July Ist. MessrsNoble Campbell, J. Bradbury, J. Cochrane, J. Ashton, J. McKillop, and E. Collier are the jM's.C., and they will draw up the programme. A notice of motion, to come on at. the next Borough Council meeting was handed in by Cr J. Prentice, last evening, as follows: —'"ihat the Council discontinue to supply gasfittinga and sundries, as it is detrimental to the business of the plumbers of the district and to others who sell goods of that description."

An interesting lectui'e on "Ventilation" was given by Mr W. H. Jackson to a large attendance of members at St. Matthew's Club last night. Mr Jackson explained the nature and properties of various gases, and showed the important place that each occupied in the atmosphere. A number of interesting experiments were given, and these added greatly to the interest of tbß lecture. At the conclusion of his address, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded ':o the lecturer. A report by the Borough Inspector of Nuisances (Mr J. Cairns) was submitted to the last meeting of the Borough Works Committee as follows: During the month of May fivtjL I cases of scarlet fever, and two oF tuberculosis have been reported to this office. Two of the scarlet fever patients have been removed to the Fever Hospital and the other three

are in isolation. In each case the contact has been traced to sources outside the Borough. Every precaution has been taken, and the necessary fumigation carried out. Special fumigation has also been given in the cases of tuberculosis. Masterton district rifierr.en are in hope that the present visit to England by the Premier will mean that Sir Joseph will come back withL ameliorated feelings towards rifled clubs. As the Conference which the Premier has left to attend deals witha matter directiv affecting the purpose of rifle clubs, a well-knawn rifleman, in convrsation with an Age reporter, yesterday, said it: would be very probable that the Premier would come into' close contact with military authorities at Home, such as Lord Roberts, and by them be imbued with more enthusiasm towards either'universal military training or the encouragement of rifle shooting. The rifleman referred to said it would be a payable move on the part of those in Mew Zealand advocating universal training to cure a leading Home military slip*" ' porter to deliver addresses throughout the Dominion on the subject.

There wore 208 applications re> ceived by the Masterton Borough Council for the positfon of accountant, to the Gas Department, rendered ( vacant by the resignation of Mr D. Morton. These were reduced to two. and at the meeting .if the Council, last night the question of making a final selection was a matter which considerable discussion. Crs> i Pauiing. Hoar, Pragnell, Yarr and Prentice, were strongly in favour of" appointing a lucal applicant was or-e of the two finally held over,. \ and these Councillors strenuously"* opposed a motion hy the Mayor ta remit . the matter to the Gas Committee for the latter to make the final selection. Cr Hoar said it would be a foregone conclusion that an outsider would be appointed. (The Gas Committee had reported they were divided on the matter). This remark was presented by Cr Temple, who said the Committee' would give the matter full consideration. A somewhat vigorous debateresulted in the matter being referred /back to the Gas Committee.

At.the entertainment to he given?/".. in the Town Hall to-niaht, in aid of* St. Matthew's New Building Fund,, the following programme wili be rendered: —Part I. -Grand Tableau Display; overture, "Le Printemps," orchestra; "Three Green Bonrtns," Mrs P. R. Cook; "Roses," (floral: song), Mrs H. C. bow; "Dresden China," Miss M. Cameron; "The Blind Girl's Dream," (story song) Mrs H. E. Francis; "Tit for Tat,"j Miss M. McKenz:e. Part 11. —Realistic Gipsy Encampment; overture,. "Hamiltonian," orchestra; song, "Troubadour," Mr G. C. Branson; Country Dance; song and chorus, "The Gipsy King," Mrs Taplay;. song and chorus, "Sw<;et Mr W. S'. Jago; song and "The Sycamore 'lree," Miss'E. Jago;, dance, "The Valita"; duet and chorus, "Shine, Little Moon Flower," Misses Carr and Cook;, song, "Ever so Far Away," Mrs Taplay; song and chorus, "Moon Dear," Mr J. uray. Miss Hampton will act as accompanist. All the ar- • /fangements for the entertainment are well in hand, and an enjoyable evening is promised.,

The presentation of uedals won by members of the Masterton Fire Police in connection with Town Haji 4 duty took place last evening, at asocial gathering held by th<3 Fire Police for Besides members of the corps, there w°re also present Mr C. E. Daniell (chairmaii , of the Trust Lands - Trust), Mr AT*. Hathaway (secretary of the Trust Lands Trust), Superintendent Jenkins. and Messrs Pickering and Pragnell, representing the Fire Brigade, and several others. The number of attendances were counted, Mr Hathaway acting hs scrutineer, and the result showed ttias Mr A. Paulii g was first with 41 point;-, and Mr But hsr second with 37 points, Mr P<u.:;ig takes the Trust Lands Trust rmulal for first prize, and Mr Butcher Captain Dixon's medal for second prize. The presentation of the medafjT was made by Mr C. Daniel, who complimented the winners on securing such valuable trophies. Mr Daniell referred in hisrh terms of the good worii which the Fire Police had done in the past. He gave a short resume of the history of the corps, and dwelt on the splendid work the members carried out at fires. A number of toasts were honoured, ar.d altogether an enjoyable evening was spent.

F Mr J G Cox, vicar's warden, will leprcsent St. John's Church, Featherston, at the synod meeting in Mr «.ox has been synod representative for some years. At a meeting of the Borough i "Works Committee on Tuesday evening last week, a balance-sheet of the Aquatic Carnival, Held on the 22nd of January last, showing a balance ot JE3S 6s 4d was submitted and referred to the Park Committee. A cheque for this balance was handed to the Borough treasurer. In connection with the challenge shild' competition under the auspices of the Featheraton Golf Club, the folllowing are the points to date.— Messrs F. C. Everton. F. Bladen, and J. McCarty, 3; D. Fenwick, F. Burt, and W. Benton, 2; C. J. Carlson, 11; A. J. Toogood, 1; A. w. Gray, £. In reference to ! the appeal—since ■withdrawn-by the Masterton County Council against the Council having to contribute towards the maintenance of Victoria Hospital, Wellington, the Mayor, Mr P. L. Hollings, tola the Masterton Borough Council, last evening, that a conference of local bodies' delegates is to be held «n July 7t|i to consider the question of this district being separated from Wellington. The Masterton Borough Council met last evening. There were present—His Worship the Mayer, Mr P. L. Ilollings, and Crs J. H. Pauling, J. Elliott, F. W. Temple, W. Pragneil, R. Rigg. T. Hoar, J. Prentice. J. Yarr, J. C. Ewington. The Mastarton County Council notified that it had decided to contribute £lO towards the Waingawa river protects works. It was decided to instruct the Engineer to enforce with greater strictness the by-law prohibiting trees being allowed to overgrow the footpaths in the Borough. Experienced cook and baker with mate seeks position in hotel or station. Mr Gar. Olilver, Pine street, announces that he w'li supply good clean coal at 9s for the quarter ton. Properties that are for lease and for baie are advertised by the agent, Mr J. R. Nicol, Bannister Street. Those who seek this class of land are requested io call or write to Mr Nicol.

Aprons are the tub-ject of a specially attractive advertisement inserted by Messrs George and Kersley, of the Economic, Wellington. Ladies are invited to peruse the announcement and study the price*. , The Parliamentary election will be held at Ae Y.M.C.A., this evening, to which the public, are cordially inviSfd. There are five candidates and Mr W. Gillespie will' be returning officer

Mr H. A. Whelch continues his sale of drapery and as prices are reduced to bedrock the public are keenly appreciative of the bargains. A further announcement will be found in the Wanted Column. The wines made at the Tararua Vineyard are decidedly popular, and despite the mandate of prohibition these may still he procured, as Mr Lamb has made satisfactory arrangements whereby his clients may obtain supplies. A call on tekphene No. 114 is all that is required.

At Elcetahuna, on Monday next, Messrs H. Griffiths and Co. will sell at auction the whole ot the furniture and effects ot the Railway Hotel, 'me list is an extensive one, the goods arc all in good order and condition. snd should command keen competition. The sale will start punctually at noon. t To-morrow, Friday, Messrs Bertenshaw and Evensen, in conjunction with Mr JR. E. Howell, will sell at auction the whole of the furniture and effects of the Central , Hotel. The order of sale is the contents of the upstairs rooms on Thursday, and the balance on Friday. Some idea of the extent of the list will be found in an inset circulated with this issue.

At the Post Office Auction Mart, on Saturday next, Mr M. 0, Aronsten will aubmic at auction a large and general assortment 1 of fruit, forest and ornamenial trees and shrubs from the nursery of Messrs Gibbons and Co., Wellington. The consignment is well assorted, and includes the best and most popular varieties of fruits. Full particulars will be advertised later.