LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9540, 12 July 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latent return from the r Worksop Dredge is 48oz lOdwt for the week. The Masterton Orchestral Society will meet to-morrow night at the Knox Church Schoolroom, at 8 o'clock, instead of the Jf.M.C.A. Booms.

Jim Griffin f of Greymouth, beat Smith, the New Zealand middleweight champion, in Cftristchurcb, on Thursday night, in the fifth round.

The Ladies' Committee of the Carlton Cricket Club's Bocial met at the Secretary's office, on Saturday afternoon, there being present a full attendance. It was repbrted that the arrangements were well in hand for the function, and that tickets were selling well. The ladies decided to meet at the Foresters' Hall on Tuesday morning at 10.30 o'clock to prepare the supper, arrange the tables, etc. The services were very well at tended at the Methodist Church yesterday. The Rev. C. E. Porter occupied the pulpit in the morning, and delivered a very interesting sermonette to the .boys . and girls on a watch. Mr.. Porter's sermon to the adult members of the congregation was of a very interesting and earnest character. His subject was "The Message of Christ From the Unseen World to the Ancient Church of Laodinea." He dwelt especially on the three kinds of church memVeM to be found to-day; the hot member, che cold member, and the lukewarm member, and he pointed out Christ's order of preference as distinctly stated in the message. He very clearly showed that the great need of to day was the hot member. In the evening Mr J. Heyhoe occupied the pulpit, and preached a very eloquent sermon. "At present," said the Hon. J. A. Millar, at a gathering in Dunedin, "there is an unhappy knack of decrying Otago and saying that what was once the foremost provincial district in New Zealand was now taking a i back seat in the progress of the Dominion. Figures that I have show that to fc be very far from being a reality, although' it is true that owing to our esily development we got a start, of the other parts of New Zealand Our lands were more closely settled, while there w?re troubles with the Maoris in the North I land. As soon as these Tcre over, development has gone ahead more rapidly in the North. But I don't think it requires a very keen eye to see the great possibilities in the South Island, which in the course of a few years ! will gradually bring her to the front again. Possibly for the next twenty or twenty-five years the North Island must outstrip us." The proposal to increase the insurance rates is causing comment in many quarters. It is understood that the rates on dwelling-houses wi-1 1 be increased by anything from 15 to 20 per cent., and on shops and dwellings (in wood) by from 10 to 15 per cent. The rates on brick dwellings will be but slightly increased. It is quite probable that the rates on the buildings in the large blocksin Dunedin, says the "Otago Daily Times," will be increased to a larger extent than 20 per cent, owing to the heavy losses sustained by ' companies thropgh conflagrations in the past four or five years. It has been recognised for a considerable timte that the rates for dwelling-houses have been ruling somewhat low. The reduction of 33J per cent of some years ago, made the business quite unprofitable. The present increase of, say, 20 per cent will leave the rates still lower than they were previously. An owner paying 6s 8d at present w 11, under the proposed tariff, pay Bs, whereas some years ago he was paying 10s, The rates will probably come into force next J month. ,<

In Auckland such has been the growth of Chinese laundries during the past five years that they have more than qaudrupled within that time, and now outnumber those which are being carried on by Europeans. The total number of Chinese laundries registered as carrying on business in and around tne city on March 31st, last was 37, against 32 being worked by Europeans. Seeing that there are three steam laundries, employing about 130 hands, included in the latter total, it would seem that the Chinese have not captured the whole of the business yet, but from inquiries made by a "Herald" representative, it would seem that they are on a fairway of doing so. Of the 32 European laundries registered the major portion are each being carried on by one woman, who, because she takes in laundry work in order to enable her to eke out a bare existence, is obliged to register hsr premises as a factory. This practically leaves only the steam laundries competing with the 37 Chinese establishments, and it, seems that they are nut making headway against the industrious Celestials, their business instead of having ex- - panded in proportion to the increaas j of population being now no greater I than it was two or three year 3 ago.

According to the "Auckland Star' v the raising of fire insurance rates in New Zealand will takes place from August let next.

At Christchurch last week, E. J. Picton, of that city, and J. J. Maloney, of Dunedin, fought for the heavweight professional championship of New Zealand. The decision went in favour of the Dunedin man on points, although the margin of superiority was very narrow indeed.

The N. Z. Sheepbreeders' Association has made its allocation of championships for the summer show season of 1909. To Manawatu has been allotted the championship in Lincolns;, Poverty Bay, E. Leicesters; Hawke's Bay, B. Leicesters; Shropshire, Wanganui; Southdowns, Wairarapa. P. and A. Association.

!°A fatal shooting accident occurred near Stavdey, South Canterbury,, on Friday afternoon, the victim being' a youth about 15 yeafs of age, named:' Alfred Healey. It appears that the: deceased was testing the ground through a swampy place with the butt end of a gun when it went off, the full l charge shattering the palm'of one of his hands and forearm, and entering his right side. Death occurred' short--ly after his removal to his home. *The bicycle vandal is causing attention at Hastings by the wantondamage he does to bicycles, especially at night time, when they areleft standing outwide buildings whilethe owners are engaged in some business. Several complaints havebeen, made regarding this class of ' persons, the latest victim being a poor widow whose bicycle tyres have been slashed with knives,, causing her to Incur an expense of ' about £2 10s in repairs. The police have the matter in hand.

„ln the Town Hall on Thursday* evening next the Y.M.C.A. will give a physical culture display by first term pupils, sixty of whom, are taking part. The Boy Scouts will be seen at first aid and physical/ drill. Musical items will intersperse: the programme. Mr Alf. SnowbalP,. new General Secretary, and family.* will be given. a public welcome toMasterton, and Mr N. H. Holmes', of the Wellington Y.M.C.A., is expected to take part in the proceedings. His Worship the Mayor will preside. r. . .

Some foolish individual called out an alarm of fire during the "Riroriro's sacred concert, at the Town Hall, last evening. The alarm was given from outside the Hall, but, Jtunatcly the pit doors were closed!, and prevented the sound from'penetrating into the interior of. the building. In the passage leading to the stalls the alarm was plainly heardv by those standing there, and a rush* was made for the door. Captain i Dixon, who heard the alarm in the.hall, immediately made enquiries:, with a view to finding the culprit,. J?ut that person, had in the meantime made "a hasty departure^ The Minister of Railways says 6 there is nothing in the statement made by an engine-driver employedon the Otago Central line that drivers* were instructed to exceed the speed regulations in order to keep their tune-tables. The man had said that" he was given instructions to drive his train at a higher spefd than that allowed by the regulations, but that had been denied. Every driver had his rule book, which fixed the maximum Bpeed for every section of the line over which he drove, and the guard also knew at what speed the train could travel. Beyond the rule book they could not go.

In a remarkable letter Camille Flammarion, the well-known ii.jtren--omer, attacks the position of scientists who assert that the earth is the only habitable world. Dr Riem decently declared in Berlin that life would only develop within certain limits, of temperature, and ibata world not turning on its own axis; could not be inhabited. M. Flammarion retorts that the variety of Nature is infinite, and nothing prevents supposing a world where other elemet ts necesary to the creation and preservation of life take the place of those which prevail on thiaglobe.

At a gathering of Springston farmers at the Islington Freezing Works. Mr C. Teschemaker, sneaking as a farmer and a pioneer, said that he did not know how the farmers would get : along without the meat freezing indusky. He remembered the time, before the industry was brought into; being, when he was glad to get 4s 6d ; and 5s 6d fur "tip-top" sheep. The price now went up to 12s and 14s. ■'Don't ship," he Maid to the assembled farmers, when he referred to the way of disposing of their produce. "Sell. It is a lottery to ship. It is like a ticket in Tattersall's.. If you ship and get a profit you are fortunate. If you sell you get ready money, and you are on a businessbasis."

An advertiser seeks a large unfurnished room convenient to Queen> Street.

The wet and cold weather of Saturday last in no way lessoned the crowds that have flocked to Murray's stores since their halfyeaily sale opened. Saturday's takings were exceptionally large, whilst country orders came in by the dozens from those unable to reach town. In consideration.of the liberal support received Mr Murray has decided to still further reduce prices, and examples are set out in an advertisement on page 6 of this issue.

In July of each year Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., hold their great sweepout sale of drapery, clothing, millinery, mercery and showroom stock, and it is an event in Masterton that is always awaited by prudent buyers. The opening date has been set down for Friday next, and the management guarantees that bargains of a decidedly unusual character will be obtainable throughout the sale period. An extensive and comprehensive catalogue is now being prepared for circui.!t ion through the' Age on Thursday n xt, and the prices quoted therein will fce found ably low?• for such superior yam's-us those stocked by C. Smith, Lt i. MODERN MUSICAL ADVANTAGES.

It is curious to remember that, up till a very few years ago, musical instruments in the homo were a monopoly of: people ot" means. They wore defective instruments enough at that. When the melodious Campion wrote his charming airs and lyric, Ihere was not a piano in England. To-day, no house is completely homely unless there is a piano in it. The Dresden Piano Company. Ltd., stock* only excellent- instruments, and Supplies them on such terms as brings them easily within the roasli of every cue. Local repreventative, Mr T. 15. Hunter.

A reward is offered for the recovery of a lady's gold tie pin. A black and tan colile pup, lost yesterday in Dixon Street, is advertised lor. An advertiser requires a young girl to mind a child for three hours in the afternoon. At the residence, No. 92 Villa Street, to-morrow, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Mrs Perrier, the household furniture and effects. Mr H. M. Clarke, of the Dominion Cifa, inserts a notice in denial of the report that his premises had been raided by the police for sly grog selling. The Wellington Education Board Invite applications for the appointment of teachers and assistants for various schools within their jurisdiction. Paticulars are advertised on page 1 of this issue. Messrs W. H. Long and Co. wish at to be particularly understood that thay are not cutting prices for the time being only as the firm are de-ter-nined to maintain a reputation as the best and cheapest butchers in Masterton.

At the residence, Opaki Road, at 1.30 o'clock on Wednesday next, Mr J. R. Nicol tvill sell on account of 3Mr W. F. Carick, the whole of his furniture and household effects, particulars of which appear elsewhere. A three-year-old filly by Bonnie Scotland. and a harness gelding, will also be offered.

Mrs Mathewson, milliner and costumier, of Lambton Quay, Wellington, announces that priur to removing to premises in Hannah's Buildings, she will hold a clearing sale, when every line will be offered at prices hitherto unheard of in the Empire City. Mr J. Kitchener, boot and shoemaker and importer, has opened up a large consignment of winter footwear, specially imported for working men. The boots are thoroughly well made from the best English leather, are water-tight, and the heels and toes are /armoured. Working men who are looking for service and dependable footwear should interview Mr Kitchener. Effervescent Saline, purifying, refreshing, invigorating to all who suffer from sickness, headache, sluggish liver, etc trice, 2/6. H. T. Wood, Chemist and <1 \ am,), Masterton *