LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9533, 3 July 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There will be no return from the Masterton dredge this week, as the dredge is undergoing some necessary repairs and alterations. The deaths in Auckland for the six months ending June 30th were one hundred less than for the same period of last year. The Taranaki Petroleum Company's No 2. well is " steadily improving. It has yielded an average of ten barrels per day for the past three weeks. Methuselah, the oldest tortoise at the London Zoo, has now reached his 250 th year. Considerable interest attaches to the only living contemporary of Charleß^ll. At an auction sale of property atTe Kuiti a few days ago as much as £l5O was paid for a section containing 13 perches, and £287 for two sections containing 20.7 perches.

The mildness of the oeason in Canterbury is indicated by the fact that snowdrops. and narcissi are blooming in Christchurch.

The Labour Department at Wellington yesterday sent 96 men to relief works bushfalling, and twenty more are to go to-day.

Kaiwarra's new railway station is to be opened in about iwo weeks' time, when the straightened railtrack from Petone will be complete as far as that suburb.

Through a leak in a water pipe, Mr Herbert's drapery store at New Plymouth was flooded on Saturday night, and £2OO worth of stock was damaged. trouble fiad not beeu discovered on Sunday morning the loss would.have been much greater. A considerable number of live hares are being netted in the Rarigitata district at present, and are being sent to coursing clubs all over the Dominion for coursing purposes. Last week one lot which had just baen captured a day or two before was consigned to Auckland. Already about 80 Civil Servants in Wellington, irrespective of those in other parts of the Dominion, have been retrenched. It is, however, impossible to get complete lists at present, and it is probable that the total in Wellington is larger than that stated, and will ultimately be still further increased. A recent arrival from Scotland is making a speciality at the Hook, Waimate, of pig rearing on modern lines. He has a herd of 100 pigs, and expects to be able to show farmers that the pig is not only one of the most profitable animals, but one of the cleanest. A pure Devon weaner was sold to a Taranaki farmer for £6 6s last wesk.

A troupe ot sixty Maoris —tnirty men and a like number of women —is being engaged for a season at a wellknown Sydney seaside resort. They will dance hakas and poi dances for the delectation of Sydney excursionists. I

It is not generally known that the Island of Jersey forma an example of compulsory service within the British Empire. Every lad physically fit at the age of 16 years has to attend drill twice a week for two years, and at 18, if'passed efficient, he is transferred to the artillery or infantry. Then he has to make 21 drills and attend camp for a week. The Taranaki school inspectors state in their report that "not more than one child in a hundred will in after life be called upon to read aloud, but every child will be better fitted for the life in front of it. by the possession of a refined and cultivated speaking voice." They therefore urge teachers to find time for this study of voice training.

It is reported that three station holders on the main line of traffic through Southern Marlborough have decided to deal with the "swagger" problem by forming a syndicate and building a common hut where the birds of passage may be accommodated, the station thus being protected frou an undue abuse of hospitality. The "Dannevirke Advocate" states that if the morning train from Dannevirke to Palmer&ton North is abolished the early train from Waipukurau will be advanced to leave Dannevirke not later than 8.30 a.m., so that passengers will be enabled to arrive in Palmerstun North at about the same time as at present. The Seddon memorial in Wellington is slowly rearing its ta.U column skyward, 'i he column will be capped with a symbolic figure holding a book of laws in the right hand and a wreath in the left hand. The right foot rest 9on two books. The figure will be Bft 6in in height, and should be completed in bronze by the end of October, and reach Wellington by the new year. The cost of the Timber Commission will, it ia said, run into between £3,000 and £4,000. Members ot the commission who were not members of Parliament were paid at the rate of £2 2s a day, and the members of Parliament on the commission would probably get a guinea a day. The general opinion is, says the "Hawka's Bay Herald," that the commission was a useless extravagance, and that all of the information obtained could have been secured by two or three departmental officers.

In the "New Zealand Gazetee" of March 18th, 1909, there appeared a return showing the estimated yield per acre of wheat, oats and barley for the Dominion, viz., wheat 33 bushels per acre, oats 42, and barley 34. The actual yields now to hand are as follows: —Wheat 34.75 bushels, oats 46,46 and barley 39.67. The area of wheat for threshing was 252,391 acres and the total yield is computed [at 8,772,790 bushels; amount of wheat and flour returned on hand on October 31st, 1908 (as per returns) was 1,761,534; amount of wheat and flour imported from November Ist, 1908, to Febrmry 28th, 1909, 191,242; total, 10,725,566; wheat and flour exported from November Ist, 1908, to February 28th, 1909,6,143; consumption for same period for population of 968,000 at the rate of six bushels per head per annum, 1,936,000; leaving available for all purposes as at February 28th, 1909, 8,783,423 bushels.

On Thursday "evening last attempts were made to burglarise three business premises in Masterton. The marauders, however, were very unsuccessful in their operations, and judging by the clumsy efforts made they were unexperienced in the art of shop-breaking. An abortive attempt was made to enter Mr J. L. Hooper's shop, the marks of the crowbar being plainly visiule on the doors at the back of the prentees. The doors, howeer, were securely bolted inside, and the operators evidently abandoned the task of effecting an entrance. Messrs Hollings and PragnelPs office also received attention, but beyond breaking the catch of the window no further damage was done. The Lurglars were mora successful with their operations at the Clothing Factory. An entrance was gained, and ritxt morning Mr Frost, the manager, found a considerable quantity of clothing and material .scattered about the floor. The thieves, however, must have been disturbed in their work, as nothing of a valuable nature was removed, and no attempt was made to rob the safe. The police are making active enquiries, but so far have no clue as to the wnereadouts of the burglars.

There are said to be 100 first-class carpenters out of work in Wellington.

The number of unemp'oyed artisansin Auckland depending on Union relief at the present time is given at 153, nnd the total number of unemployed in Auckland is said to be 500. The hyloplate material ordered by the Managers of the Technical School; is now erected in the various instruction rooms. The hyloplate is a. great improvement on the old "black-board" system, the surface of the plates being particularly smooth and easy to write on. At the Police Court, yesterday morning, a first offending inebriate was brought before Mr Eli Smith, J.P. Sergeant MilJer stated that accused had come in from Whareama and had probably obtained liquor outside the no-licence area. He was convicted and discharged.

The Rev. A. Hodge will conduct the services in the Congregational Church to-morrow. The subject in the morning will be concerning im-mortal-'ty, "Death Swallowed up in Victory." The evening subject will be "Life's Crosses." In connection with the Institute, Mr J. Hunter will give a lecture on Monday night at 7 45 o'clock on "A Trip Round the World."

The efforts of the local police have resulted in the mystery of the origin of the recent fire in the detached building at the back of the Prince of Wales Hotel being solved. It appearsthat a farmer came into town and procured some phosphorus from one of the chemists. He attended the dance, which was being held in the building, and as he entered the building he placed his coat containing the ' bottle of phosphorus on a chair. The contents somehow became upset, and the result was a fire. After careful enquiry into the matter the policeare convinced that the cause of the' conflagration was purely accidental. ■ The services at the Methodist Church, to-morrow evening, will be conducted by Rev J. W. Burton,. Superintendent of the Methodist Indian Mission in Fiji. —The revgentleman is a very able speaker,, and has done veteran work m the. Islands, where there were over 30,000 Indian coolies engaged in the-

sugar industry. He has just written a remarkably interesting book in con-

nection with the history and religion of the lalands, which has been' accepted by one of tho best publishing houses in London.

A fata! accident occurred in Featherston Street, Wellington, shortlyafter 1 o'clock yesterday morningWilliam Loveday, an elderly man, employed as a modeller by Mr R. A. Wakelin, contractor for the erection of four-storey brick premises for Messrs A. D. Kennedy and Co., wineand spirit merchants, at the rear of the Government Insurance offices, fell' head-first from a scaffolding in front, of the building, and landed on the flagged pavement, about 70ft below, -sustaining such fearful injuries that he died five minutes afterwards.

In the Wellington Magistrate's l Court, yesterday, Michael Brejinan, who was arrested on the train at Palmerston North, was charged in connection with the burglary, at the beginning of the week, from St. Mark's Church, Wellington. Therewere two informations— viz , (1> breaking and entering th® vicarage? o£ the Rev. A. M. Johnson by night, and stealing a greenstone knife, valued at £l, and three sovereigns; (2) breaking and entering St. Mark's Anglican Churl), and stealing a quantity of jewellery, valued at £lB. and £lB in belonging to Mr Johnson. Accused was remanded till Wednesday. Bait was fixed at £l5O.

Tha monthly meeting of the Managers of the Masterton Technical School was held last evening. There were present:—Messrs E. Feist: (chairman), W. H. Jackson, E. H.. Wadiliniton, and Va-y.Rev. Dean McKenna. The treasurer's statement: showed:—Receipts, balance at last, meeting, £2lB 19s lid, first instalment Trust Lands Trust grant for--1909, £23 6s Bd, donation from W. H. Beetham £l, fees for first term' £9 10s, making a total of £262 16s7d; expenditure, salaries, first term £l6l 12s 6d, Victoria Insurance Co. £6 6s, making the balance at date £94 17s sd. Mr u. R. Syltes. secretary of the A. and P. Association, wrote advising the Managers that Mr Hugh Beethamj Brancepeth, had forwarded twenty sheep skins for uss in the wool-classes. A cheque of £1 had. also been donated to the fund. A. hearty vote of thanks was passed toMr Beetham for his donations.

At the meeting of the Managers of the Technical School, last evening, Very Rev. Dean McKenna said it had' occurred to him that the membership of the wool-classes might be increased if it were more generally known that special railway facilities were offered to students. The privilege tickets were available for pupils up to 16 years ot age for 60 miles, and held good for three months,at 10sj and for pupils from 16 to'2o .voars of age £l. On the motion of Mr W. H. Jackson it was decided that a circular containing the information regarding the reduced rates be forwarded to County Councils, newspapers and other local bodies.

A sensational escape from serious accident occurred at the tunnel works at Otira on Tuesday evening last. A trucker named Manard, whose duty it is to take the full trucks of tunnel soil to the tip-head to empty them, was taKing a rake of three from the mouth of the tunnel when' the brakes failed to hold them The distance to the tip-head is nearly threequarters of a mile, .iown a steep> gradient of one in thirty-three, and. at the trucks are lun out on to a high trestle thirty-four feet: above the river bed, and from there the soil is tipped . At the end of the trestle there h drop on to the bouldcr3 belo .. Manard stuck tohis post, trying to get the brakes t<> control the runaways, but without, avail, and by the time the trucks, reached the trestle they were travelling at the rate of about thirty miles an hour. To make matters wurs?, Manard was ridrng on the< middle truck, making it extremely hazardous for him to attempt <o. leave the trucks. How he got off safely is a mystery, but, just a. moment before the trucks dived over into"*the river bed, Manard made the • attempt to alight, and succeeded Ho"W he escaped being knocked off the trestle by the truck following.-; hirr.' is inexplicable. The. tiucks;. were smashed to pieces.

Tho new district high school at situated on a plateau overIjokii g the town, ia to be opened by the Minister of Education on the 21st Inst.

The traffic returns on the North Island main lines and branches for the four-weekly period ending May 29th, amounted to £IG6, 725, against £96,143 tor the corresponding period list year. Passengers accounted for £44.156, and goods £53,448. To-day a match will be played } between the Pahiatua and Dannevirke Golf Clubs, at Dannevirke. The following players will represent Pahiatua:—Druce, Lilly, Marshall, Smith, Norton, McSherry, W. J. Collins, Hare, Toaswill, Hughes and Ulrich. A man named George Boness, aged 27, died suddenly of heart failure at Awahuri, near Feilding, on Tuesday night. He had been away, and rode home on a bicycle. After putting the machine away he suddenly called out, "lam dying." He was carried inside, and expired almost immediately. ; SThe'"* Wellington Acclimatisation Society i 3 obtaining 400,000 brown trout ova from the Marine DepartV ment. The supply is drawn from the j} .North Otago and Canterbury rivers. % The Department is also supplying other societies, the price being 5s per one thousand.

Bv the express train on Thursday evening, says the "New Zealand Times," a number of barmaids, housemaids, and other hotel employees who were thrown out of work by the coming into operation of noJicenao in the Masterton electorate Journeyed down to Wellington. It is not often that mumps constitute an epidemic on a Home line*. During the voyage of the Morayshire from Liverpoool an outbreak of mumps occurred. The sickness was confined to eight passengers who had thoroughly recovered on arrival at Wellington on Thursday last. The Junior Morris Tube Club held another very successful practice lidtnight. The following were among the best scores:—Spackman 32, Aitken 32, J. Fuller, junr., 32, Sclanders 31, Newton 31 Esson 31, Waddington 31/ Elcoate 30, La Roche 30, Moodie 30, Cook 30, Mor gan 30, Flanagan 30. During the -month of June, 181 births, 61 deaths,, and 97 marriages wera recorded in Wellington by the Registrar of births, Deaths, and Marriages. The totals for the past six month 3 were as follows (the figures in parentheses are those for the first half of last year) Births, 1050 (1000); deaths, including the victims n the Penguin disaster, 430 (36ft); marriagss, 550 (555)- ' An official inquiry is being held at Cross Creek into charges of drunkenness which have been pre- „ ferred against members of the railway staff, says the "New Zealand Times." It is said that sly-grog !

uelling has been going on at the Creek, and that at a social function recently one ,or two men were "ragged," being: partially stripped and covered with oil and coaldust.

* Three High School boys, aged 12, 13 and 13, missed the evening train at Ashburton on Saturday last. They set out at four o'clock to walk home to Timaru, fifty miles away. They walked all night, with occasional short rests, and all next day till nearly 5 p.m., when they got a lift ovor the last three miles. They had nothing to eat except one snack bro jght fnm Ashburton. They got home tir'id, hungry, pnd footsore, Tha road uosfc cf the Way was rough or coft with rain.

It is sinnojticed in the Church "Chronicle," that the following gentlemen have been appointed parochial nominators:' —St. Paul's, Wellington, Messrs W. F. Barraud, T. F. Martin, L. Stowe; St. Peter's, Wellington, Messr3 E. Anderson, T. Balinger, R. Wilberfosa St. Mark's, Wellington, Messrs W. J. Hueston, W. L. Meek,, R. E. Rawnsley; S. Jamas'; Lower Hutt. Messrs F. de J. Clere, H. Bi Gordon, T. M. Yates, St Matthew's, Masterton, Messrs R. Brawn, W. P. James, E. H. Wadding ton; : Christ Church, Wanganui, Messrs H. E. Dymock, S. J. Gordon, R. L. Stanford. At a meeting of the Palmerston North Coursing Club, it was decided to hold another mealing at Palmerston North ori August 4th and stti, and the following programme was drawn up:—Palmerston North Hundred, first dog £SO, runner-up, £2O, two dogs at £5 each, eight dogs at £2 10s each, nomination £l, acceptance £1 ss, provided sixty dogs accept, if less than sixty stake to be paid pro rata; Terrace End Cup, open, of £2 2s each, club to retain 10 per cent. The following officials were appointed:—Judge, Mr Cowling (Masterton); hon. sec. and slipper, Mr H. J. Webb; assistant hon. slipper, Mr Richards. "Australians say 'Marvellous Melbourne,' but Melbourne is not in it with Auckland," said Mr C. J. Parr,chairman of the Auckland Education Board, when a dozen recommendations were received for enlargements to vaiious schools in the city and country. "Overcrowded schools confront us everywhere," MrParr contin- ( - tied, '"and the growth of settlement is little Bhort of marvellous. There is need for enlarging nearly all the city and suburban schools, and the same state of affairs prevails in the country. The progress of Auckland City during the last ten years has been most remarkable. A few years ago the country between Auckland and Onehunga was all greenmeadows. No# there is just one big town extending right across the isthmus." In the coursa of an interview at Christchurch, the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Marine, referring to the Wellington-Lyttelton ferry service, said that he had made representations to the Union Steamship Company in regard to the service,and he would meet the managing director in iJunedin. He understood that the present arrangement was only a temporary one. The Minister said he had received a letter from Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., suggesting that the Government should put on ferrj steamers between Wellington and Lyttelton., " We are not in a posifcior to do it in the meantime," he said. "All the money that is available and is likely to be available for some years to come is required to open up and develo» the country. Wnen the Main South Line is through to Pictor there may be a change in the ferrj conditions, and we want to see whal the result will be before going in foi an expenditure of £250,000 on twe boats of the Maori cla3s."

An Ingleside, under the auspices of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, will be held 'n the Masterton Drill Hall on Wednesday evening, July 7th.

The Technical School Managers, last evening, authorised the purchase of a book each on elementary building construction and advanced building construction for use in the School.

The criticism arou3ed by the exercise of his right of veto in the recent railway appeal case was referred to the Hon. J. A. Millar, by a Christchurch journalist, and the Minister made a brief statement regarding the attitude he took up. "I have no desire to exerci39 the power to 1 veto except in cases whera the Apt peal Boards go outside the powers conferred on them," said the Minister. "One decision of the Siuth Island Appeal Board, if given effect to, would have meant an estimated increase of £BO,OOO per annum in expenditure, and it was in direct contradiction to the judgment already given by the North Island Board. Under these circumstances I vetoed a recommendation. That was about the only case in which I exercised the power of veto, excepting in one other where a recommendation was made which I could not give effect to 'in tne interests of the public safety."

Mr H. T. Wood, chemist and optician, offers some sound advice to sufferers from eye troubles in his advertisement appearing in another column.

Mussrs J. Graham -and Co.'s great drapery sale closes to-day, and as a finale to a successful sale some special bargains will be obtainable.

Shareholders in the W.F.C.A. are requested to return coupons and vouchers on or before July 31st, to enable them to participate in the annual bonus. A clearing sale of furniture will be held by Mr J. R. Nicol, at Lansdowne, on Tuesday next, under instructions from Mrs A. E. Green, who is leaving the district. Tin various lines have been well selected, are nearly new, and will be sold without the slightest reserve The inset circulated in this issue deals with the great sale of boots and shies which opens at the Central boot store, Masterton, this morning. It contains information valuable to those who want a goo I pair of dependable boots, but who would like to get them at about half the price that they have paid heretofore. '

On Wednesday and Thursday mornings next, Messrs Bertenshaw and Evensen (in conjunction with R. E. Howell) will offer for sale by public auctjon the whole of the furniture contained in the Queen's Hotel, Masterton. Full particulars will appear in a later issue of the Age.

Acting under instructions from the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Me&srs W. B. Chtnnell3 a Co., will offer for sale by public auction ac the Fire Brigade Hall, Carterton, on Saturday, July 24th, at 2.30 p.m., 714 acres of land atTe Wharau. Full particulars are advertised on page 8 of this issue, and further information required may be obtained from Messrs Maunsell and Hart, solicitors, Carterton, or the auctioneers.

The Prince of Wales Stables, Masterton, under the proprietorship of Messrs Hole and Welch, are conducted on progressive lines, Gvol horaefl and comfortable vehicles are available at all times, up-to-dite cabs and careful driv-'ra are *t the disposal of the public, and every peron stabling his, or her, horse there, whether for an hour or a week, can tely upon it receivirg every atten ion and being well fed.

Every economically inclined person in the community must be interested in the bargains that are being offered at Murray's drapery, slothing and mercery stores in Mas;erton. Since Wednesday last hunIreds have taken advantage of the lale prices to make substantial selec,ions from the huge and superior itocks.- In advertisements appearing >n pages 2 and 4 of this issue the )lums for to-day are particularised, ind they are certainly worth noting. It is sometimes hard to distinguish letween luxuries and neces-aries. liuxuries so easily become necessaries ! hat, in this advanced age, we con- j lider many things necessary which j >ur forefathers thought were rare i uxuries. Take the caee of Welsbach Radiators. Here you have an initance of what is meant. By :omparison with the old-fa&hioned gas ire, the Welsbach is a luxury—an jconomical luxury. You light and jut your fire out at will. There is 10 dirt, no smell, no black eyes ! rom chopping the wcod, and no •unning out in the wet and cold to ill the coal-scuttle. If you are un"ortunate enough to consider warmth ind personal comfort a luxury, than nstall a Welsbach Radiator. The nitial cost is small, the consnmp;ion of gas in proportion to the leat given off is very low. Then jgain, these radiators are handsome n appearance, and a useful ornamentation to any room. Welsbach Radiators are used in the palaces of Royalty, and have been installed in ;he Governor's new railway carriage 'or the Main Trunk Line. Their rery cheapness makes it possible for joor people to enjoy this economical uxury.

Messrs S. and W. Mackay state that they have just received a farther consignment of books from their Wellington stock. Amongst the collection there is one important book that should appeal to a great number of the people in this distrct, this is Farmer's Cyclopaedia of Agriculture. Of all the industries of the world, agriculture is the most important, and the one whose successful pursuit and advancement bear most immediately upon mankind. The great and growing need of agriculture, how ever, is the wide dissemination 1 among the people of a correct knowledge of its elementary principles. To supply this need there is no better book available at the prica than the "Farmer's Cyclopaedia of Agriculture," which has been prepared with this "object in view. The work ig written by the world's greatest specialists. In its preparations great paina have been taken in arranging the matter for the use of teachers and students in colleges and schools, as well as the farmer, and any person desiring to procure a systematic source of study relating to farming in any of its branches.

At the Masterton Auction Mart this afternoon, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell the balance of the Occidental Hotel furniture on account of Mr J. O'Meara, who has left for Feilding. Every line has to be cleared under the hammer without resen e.

Several applications having been received by members of the Methodist Church Choir asking for a repetition of the cantata "David the Snepherd Boy," the choir have agreed to repeat the performance on Tuesday, July 6th, and a fuli rehearsal will be held on Monday, 7.30 p.m.

The name of AYLMER'S. Wul.d sfc, Wellington, is synonymous with perfection in the art of Millinery. Ladies write for a selection on approval, l-'o signs by every mail from the leading London and Ff lis houses.