LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9527, 26 June 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Eketahuna Literary and Debating Societry has received a challenge from the Y.M.C.A.,'Masterton, to debate a subject, to be-arranged upon, at Masterton.

Automatic hooters, which all shriek protestingly the moment the vehicle exceeds a certain speed, are now to be fixed to all motor-cars, 'busses, and cabs in London. At the S.M. Court, yesterday morning, before Mr W. P. James, S.M , Benjamin Brodie, was charged with having manufactured for sala over proof hop beer. Mr C. A. Pownall appeared for defendant, and Mr G. S. Nixon conducted the case for the prosecution.Aceußed was fined £5 and costs 7s.

Mr A W. Hogg, M.P.. will address his constituents in the Masterton Town Hall, on Tuesday evening next, at 8 o'clock. During the ended May 7th, over 40,000 quarters of New Zealand oats (Gartons, Sparicvvbills and Blacks) were sold in Bristol at about 19s 6d, a healthy advance on the 12s 4d at which much of it was purchased in New Zealand.

The Junior Morris Tube Club held a practice, last evening, when the following scores were registered: Messrs La Roche 33—29, J. Fuller 32—32; Cox 32; Sclanders 32—29, Cook 32, Aitksn 31—29, Morgan 31. E. Fuller 30—29, Hogg 30-29, De Lisle 30—29, Elcoate 29, Esson 29, Newton 29—28. The Banks have challenged the rest of the Club to a match on Wednesday next.

Adjutant Green will be the speaker at the Y.M.C.A. men's meeting, tomorrow afternoon, at 5 o'clock, taking for his subject the question, "Why' Should a Man be a Christian?" Mr G. Falla will preside. The strangers' tea will be held as usual at 5.30 p.m. To these meetings all men are invited, also to the Bibla Study Class, which meets at 9.45 a.m.

In January, 1907, there were 53,856 Chinese engaged in the Transvaal mines. In December, 1908, there were only 12,275. On the other hand, the whites increased from 17,874 in January, 1907,Ht0 19,605 in December, 1908, and the natives from 129,618 in December, 1907, to 164,826 in December 1908- It will be clearly seen, remarks a contemporary, that the change from Imperial to responsible Government has been responsible for the expulsion of the execrated Chinaman.

A meeting of the Committee of St. John Ambulance District Nurse Social and Dance was held last evening, Mr A. Donald presiding. Mr H. H. Seed, District Chief Superintendent of New Zealand, wrote stating that he was unable to attend the function to present the certificates. A committee was appointed to specially prepare the Drill Hall floor. A feature of the dance, which is to be held next Thursday will be'the decorations, a number of flags for this purpose having been obtained from Wellington.

Out of sixty applicants Mr F. Brough, of Palmerston North, has been appointed caretaker of the Wairarapa Racing Club's course at Tauherenikau, one of the most picturesque grounds in the Dominion. Mr Brough is an old resident of Palmerst>n North. He was for some years caretaker of the Sportsground and Esplanade. The Wairarapa Club intend to make extensive, improvements to their grounds, and when complete it will be a very fine course indeed

A simple yet very effective device for locking the back wheel of a bicycle has been invented, and patented by a Christchurch doctor. The device consists of a hinged clasp fixed to the rear forks which is drawn between the spokes and fixes to a lock in the other fork in latchkey fashion. The catch is unlocked in the usul way, and by means of a spring flies back to the other fork and leaves the wheel clear. The apparatus being held to the machine, is always ready for use and is an effective guard against bicycle stealing. One of the speakers at a great meeting at the Town Hall, Sydney, last week, in connection with the fr z ne movement, the Rev. u i... o ammond, referred to the wr.ru oi r.iitii and friendship on t/ii par . Tinny enure -,co. rs He ha•?. he sui . yone into a c.'.uren as a stringer, ana seen peop.e .ook with wonderment to see if he would have the audacity to occupy one of the four vacant seats. In a publichouse one could always get an outstretched hand to shake with good fellowship in it. He had shaken nr,re hands in publichouses in his mission work than he had in the churches. Many men hai been led ftom the publichouse to the church or the mission.

A meeting of the Council of the Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association was held on the Showground, Palmerston North, on Wednesday last, says the "Manawatu Standard," Mr Jas. M:(Jregor, of Masterton presiding. The Council drew up the following conditions for the competition for bullocks:—"That any breeder of Herefords shall be authorised by the Hereford Association to challenge breeders of Shorthorn, Aberdeen Angus, or any other recognised beef breed on the following lines:—The challenger and challenged shall receive three yearlings (date of calving to be taken from June 30th) of each breed, which shall be grazed on grass only, with three of his own for a full period of two years. Each competitor shall then exhibit the animals in his charge if practicable at his local show, if any, for exhibition only; afterwards they ! shall be slaughtered and consigned to London on owner's account, and judged by leading firms of salesmen. All expenses shall be borne by the owners of the cattle. A trophy, . consistinu of a piece of plate of the value of not less than £ls, will be awarded by the Hereford Association to the competitor scoring most points. The value of the points to be as follows:—First, 5; second, 3; third, 1. The Hereford Association to be noti fled of any challenge and to have the right to inspact any competitors. ■ !

A Christchurch commercial man who has just returned to New Zealand after a trip through Australia

informed a Lyltelton "Times" reporter that Melbourne adopted the universal Saturday half-holiday about a month ago by an overwhelming majority. Although indignation meetings were called, principally at the instance of shopkeepers

in the suburbs of Prahran and Col-

lingwood. it was found difficult to get speakers who would advocate a return to the old regime under which the retail establishments closed on Wednesday, while the wholesale warehouses closed on Saturday. Representatives of the retailers in all classes of business spoko heartily irr*favour of the universal half-hoiiday, and motions to revert to the previous state of affairs were overwhelmingly defeated. So far as he could ascertain, the volume of retail business had shown a slight falling oft' immediately after the change, but it was widely anticipated that as soon as the public got used to doing its week-end shopping on Friday night there would be no further loss of trade.

The social and dance in connection with St. John Ambulance Brigade is to be held in the Drill Hall on Thursday evening next.

Weather permitting the Masterton South Brass Band will play a programme of music on the Exchange Hall balcony, this evening, commencing at 7.30 o'clock.

The Rev. A. Hodge will conduct the services in the Congregational Church to-morrow. The subject in the morning will be the last of a short series on Immorality, viz., "The Resurrection Body," and that of the evening the first promise in the new Testament, viz., '.'He Shall Save His People From Their Sins.",

The constitution of the Masterton Fire Board is Gazetted as follows: — Appointed by the Governor, Mr O. N. C. Pragnell; elected by the fire insurance companies, Messrs H. E. Kempthorne, C Pearce and R. M. Simpson; elected by the Masterton Borough Council, Messrs J. C. Ewington, J. H. Pauling and J. P. Prentice.

The first meeting of the local preacher's training class, in connection with the Y.M.C.A, was held in the Association's rooms, last evening. Rev. C. E. Porter gave the first address on "How to Conduct a Service." There was a very good attendance of young men.

A quarter of a million people are following a new theory, originated by Tr Fair, at Boston, U.S.A., by which they hope to live 1,000 years. They will dress in white, live on vegetables and nuts, abjuring milk, meat, and oil,sleep in a draught, take long "dinner hours," and remain alone for half an hour a day. The children of the infant department of the Methodist Sunday school will assemble as ususal on Sunday afternoon for ordinary class exercise prior to the adjournment for the special children's service in the Church. A notification in reference to the matter appears on page 1 of this issue.

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers* Association held at Palmerston North, office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follow:—President, Mr F. J. McDonald (Rata); VicePresidents, Messrs J. R. Curie (Hawera), C, Dunford (Makino), W. Dempster (Levin); Committee, Messrs P. O'Dea (Pihama), H. W. James (Inglewood), J. J. Middleton (Addington), J. Young (Palmerston: North), E. C. Wood (Whakaronga), C. Cooper (Mangatoke), M. T. West (Dalefield); Secretary and Treasurer, Mr J. Murray (Cheltenham); Auditor, Mr W. Bendall (Palmerston North).

A well-attended meeting of ladiess and gentlemen interested in the formation of a Literary and Elocution Class was held in Dominion Hall last night. Mr W. Gillespie was voted to the chair. It: was decided to write to the managemes.t of the Y.M.C.A. and endeavour to amalgamate with the Debating Society of that Association, a number of those wishing to join being already members of the Debating Society. A sub-committee was formed to arrange details, and to approach Mr Hornsby to see on what termd his services can be secured. Any la-'ty or gentleman wishing to join the classes are requested to leave their names with Mr W. Gillespie. A wonderful story of a fight between a steamer and a whale was; told by the captain of the whaler Samson, which, with the Edda- and! the Hercules, left Plymout i recently for Sandefjord, after the must successful season on record off South Georgia. An explosive harpoon was fired from the gun in the bows of tha Samson at a blue whale 120 feet longVThe whale was hit in thj siie, and th? harpoon held, but the whale dashed away. The paid out hundreds of fathoms of the four-inch hemp rope which was attached to the harpoon, but the whale towed the steamer at such a rate that the bow? wave threatened to swamp her. At length the captain ran his engines thretquarter speed astern, which normally would have given him a backward spsed of ten knots. In spite of this the whale towed tha Samson. ahead about eight knots for fojr hours. Then the weather grew stormy, the line parted, an J the whale escaped. A number of threshing maihines working in the Ashourton district have tallies ranging considerably over 100,000 bushels, and when one. takes into consideration tha fact

that there are close on 50 threshing mills in the county, some idea, says a local paper, can be obtained of the importance of the Ashburton County for grain producing apart from the large quantities of wool, mutton and lamb that are annually exported by the farmers and merchants. In regard to the threshing returns, th& average tally of each machine can

be safely put down at between 70,000 | and 80,000 bushels of mixed grain,, the quantity of wheat probably being slightly in excess of that of oats. This represents a total production for the county of about .3,500,000 bushels of grain. Of course, the whole of this is not available for export, neither has the whole of the crops been yet actually threshed, as large quantities are annually reserved for chaff and other purposes.

police cases were by Mr W. P. James; S.M., at Masterton yesterday. John Mackay, a newcomer to the town, was fined 10s for insobriety. On a charge of using obscene language the same accused received a sentence of I*4 days' hard J labour. John Andrew, Walter TomHn and John R. Nicol, were fined ss, with 7d costs, and R. Douglas, R. V. McKenzie and Waittr Flaws, sswithdut costs, for riding cycles at night wihout lights. Farquhar Gray was charged with having obtained liqior on a Sunday from the Central Hotel, Mr C. A. Pownall, for defendant, said t-.e latter had hrought the whisky from his Lome, and Sergeant Miller also testified to thi .'act that this allegation was set up when

defendant was accosted, though de-f fendant then refused to give his name. The cast was dismissed. Frank McGrath, defended, by Mr Pownall, was ordered to come up for sntence when called upon, on a charge of a prohibition order being granted against him.' Philip Juno was ordered to pay 8s a week towards the support of a child of hisHn the Wellington Receiving Home. Defendant, through Mr Pownall,. complained that the Department had not allowed him to ■ see one of bis children.

~1l vigorous protest against the establishment of a brewery depot at Waiuolahas been made by the New Zealand Alliance. Owing to the prevalence of scarlet fever in Dunedin. tramway cars are, telegraphs a correspondent, to fee disinfected twice a week. The resignation by the Hon. A. W. Hogg of his offices of Minister for Customs and Labour and of his office as a member of the executive Council is Gazetted. The resignation dates from June 17th. Messrs Glen lining and Co.'s Galleries, Argyll street, London, last inWh, a rare New Zealand Id stamp realised £3 4s. Its date was 3855, watermark a star, iinperforte; he colour dull carmine. A sale of purebred poultry is to be held at the Masterton Auction Mart, by Mr J. R. Nicol, to-day, at 12 o'clock noon. A reminder is given of the sale of nursery stick to be held at the Post Office Auction Mart this afternoon, at 1.30 sharp. Over 5,000 lots are to be offered. At "Moness" House, Chapel street, this afternoon, at 1 o'clock Mr J. R. Nicol will sell by auction, account of Rev. Walton, the •IWnle of his well selected furniture and effects. The goods were on view yesterday afternoon, and attracted the attention of a large number of tiie public. The winchws in fie premises of the Masterton Branch of the New Zealand Clothing Factory are dressed ia an attractive matins- just now, selections from three different departments being exhibited. Boys' j rse? and 'Varsity suits are shown in excei'.eit styles, and in numerous, varieties, whilst men's hard and s jft felt hats and ladies' and gent's boots and shoes occupy a window - SOf 1 " each. Messrs T. and W. Young, of Wellington, the well-known merchants, announce that after No-license has t:ken f-ffect in Ma3terton district, . they a.-j prepared to sjpply the best brands of liquors in the regulation quantities to any address at lowest rates Fur the past 40 years ths firm has enjoyed an envisble reputation as a first-class firm, and those placing orders with them can rely un conscientious treatment and prompt attention. An advertisement from the firm over the leader page of this iss.e should be perused. j*jjtfessrs Harcourt and Co. have fieen instructed by thi Trustees in th' 3 estate of the late Mrs Dixon to offar for sale at their rooms, on Tuesday, July 13th. the well-known Te. Horo Farm, situated on the "Manawatu line, and adjoining the Gear's famous fattening paddocks. Tli3 property is nearly ring fenced, onveniently subdivided, and well watererd, and will carry three sheep Jo the acre. Full particulars appear in an advertisement on page 8 of this issue.

Mr Gerald C. Branson, who recently arrived from Sydney, has decided to settle in Masterton, and ZsVnow prepared to enrol pupils for production, singing and elocution. Mr Branson is a pupil of Herr Rudolf Himmer, of Melbourne, and ■was ta-Jgnt according to the Italian msthod. He has had con-iderable experience on the Australian operatic stag J. dramatic stage and concert platform. Special attention will be given to diaphragmatic breathing, W Irish is so necessary, not only in ♦ringing, but in public speaking, lecturing, ec, and for those sugering from weak lungs or weak chest. Mr Brandon's studio is in the Exchuige Buildings, Queen street, room No. 4. Particulars may also be yibtained from Miss A. E. Rive, JQjeen street.

Thera is no more enterprising business man in Masterton than Mr A. J. fij-Jdinjjs, grocer and provision merchant, and the success which he has achieved has been fully merited. He has stocked only the leading brands of groceries and provisions, his prices have always been reasonable, and the general conduct of the business as been on right, lines. From this time forward Mr Giddings has de- - cided to make a vigorous effort to have his establishment regarded as the most popular grocery house in Masterton, ana in order tc obtain the ik view t.e has uec.dsc tc rev.sa his pr ce isc. .r as advortisemenr on page Qrd this issua a "wica .ist is published tha; mast nt9r33t every housewife in Mastertun and district. and it should be carefully oexusea. Mr Giddings promises to keeD the quality up whilst he is forcing the pr!c3s down. Book buying is certainly one of the most innocent of vices, and when money is scarce this is certainly one of the first extravagances in which we restrict ourselves. When Messrs S. and W. Mackay announced their clearing sale of books at their Masterton premises, they were not over sanguine that results would prove "Satisfactory, but the business done so far has quite exceeded their expectations, the week's takings being eminently satisfactory The success of the sale is attributed in no small degree to it being associated with the - name of S. and W. Mackay, added to which U the fact that prices all round have been reduced by over 50 per cent. Articles, such as dressing cases, have been reduced from 50s to 25s leather bound editions of the poets from 10s 6d to 4s 6d. photo albums from 40s to 15s, and standard technical works by 3d in the shilling-* A splendid idea of the magnificent stock of jewellery carried by Mr Dupre in his Masterton pre--7 raises can always be obtained by a JL glance into his shop window. Every •week a notable display is made of •many of the most beautiful articles in gold and silver-ware, watches, wedding and engagement rings, gold chains, toilet goods or other well selected lines, but on no two occasions are the displays the same. At the present time the exhibit of valuable stock in the window is varied and pleasing, and in such as is rarely excelled in the leading city establishments. It is not surprising therefore to hear that Mr r Dupre's business is rapidly expand- "•*- ing, a pleasing feature of which is the substantial increase in mail order business. Country residents have a confidence in Mr Dupre's business methods, which must be most gratifying to him, and which is shown in the number of orders that are received in almost every mail. For rheumatism, backache, faceache, ear ache, neuralgia, ana other muscular pains nothing can equal WITCH'S OIL (regis teretl).