LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9542, 14 July 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A farmer on the Rimutakas has already a crop of this season's potatoes fit to dig. This, together with wattle trees in bloom, is a good sign of an early spring. The Musical and Dramatic Club at Martinborough is practising "The Haymakers."

The prize money for the Feilding A. and P. Association's next show will amount to about £750. It is stated that a larger area than usual is being ploughed at Morison's Bush this season, and the early crops are in a very forward condition.

It was decided at the meeting of the Masterton County Council yesterday, on the motion of Cr Beethum, to acquire two acres of land from Messrs Ferguson Bros., on the junction of Weraiti-Fernyhurst rond, for the purpose of a roadman's cottage, at a cost not exceeding £2OO. The Presbyterian Church Congregation at Martinborough has decided to offer £225 per annum, with a orobable increase later on, as a stipend for a minister, the vacancy having been created through the call of the Rev. Jas. Rl'Gaw to Lower Hutt. The Rev. G. K. Stowell, of Greytown, is acting moderator until the vacancy is filled.

Replying to Viscount Castlereagh in the House of Commons recently, the First Lord of the Admiralty, said the original cost of the warship Gladiator was £287,604. After collision with the American liner St. Paul it cost about £50,000 to refloat her, and she was afterwards sold for £15,000, the approximate loss to the nation being thus £272,604. The United Friendly Societies' Council have now completed all arrangements for the second annual social and dance, which is to be held in the Foresters' Hall to-morrow (Thursday) evening. The ladies who have the supper arrangements in hand are laying out the supper room in first-class style, and the main hall will be tastefully decorated for the occasion. Tickets are selling freely, and everything points to a very successful function.

The annual publication of "Knox Gazette," the organ of Knox Young People's Association, will be made on Friday evening next, at the ordinary meeting of the Association. The editors, Messrs Pry or, C. Mcintosh and H. McHattie, are now busy receiving and going through the "matter" for this issue, and contributors who ha v e not yet sent in their items are requested to do so without any further delay. Messrs D. McLachlan and Blatchford waited upon the Masterton County Council at its meeting yesterday, in reference to the encroachment of the tiuamahanga river on the Opaki-Rangitumau road. They stated that they were willing to co-operate with the Council in protective works, as their properties were jeopardised. The Council decided to instruct the Engineer to inspect the locality, in company with the Councillors for the Riding, and that a report be furnished as to the estimated cost of the work necessary.'

The Finance Committee of the Masterton County Council met yesterday morning. The Treasurer reported as follows: 1 — General Fund account, dr., £1,412 15s lOd; L.B.L. account, cr„ £6,233 15s 6d. Recefptifsince June Bth totalled £4,188 3s 3d. Accounts totalling £3,831 were re cart) rn ended for payment. It was decided io, recommend the Council to authorise the r-prescr.tstives of the Waii.uioru Riding to arrange for the purchase of t v o acres of the Orui estate from Mr RiddiforJ, for the purpose of a roadman's cofc; tage, -at a cost not exceeding £2OO.

A Swiss woman, Miss Lina Bogle, has recent y completed ten years of travel round the world, earning her own living as a teacher, without either capital or introductions. Miss Bogle relates that the idea came to her as she was resting one Sunday afternoon, and that she went off next day and booked her passage to Sydney, where she arrived with only five shillings in her pocket, to begin life in anew country. She obtained a position in a smal'private school in Sydney, and on this plan she pursued her way round the world, visiting Samoa, Japan, San Francisco; and many other places. At the annual meeting of the "New Zealand Times" Company, Ltd., the shareholders unanimously adopted a proposal for the issue of ordinary shares. The directors reported that the preliminaries for the flotation had already been arranged for, the bulk of the new shares had been disposed of, and there were indications that the remainder would •shortly be taken up. Reference was made in the annual report to the encouraging support the "Times'' was receiving under its present management, and complimentary allusions were made to the work of the various staffs. The Cross Craek branch of the Eiginemen's, Firemen's and Cleaners' Association passed the following motion: —"That this branch gives credit to Mr Veitch, the president of the A.S.R.S., for his past services to that society, but strongly condemns his antagonistic views concerning this association; also, that we have thorough confidence in our grand council, and consider that the drivers', firemen's and cleaners' interests will be better served through our council than through the A.S.R.S.; and if Mr Veitch had published the letter in the "Review," which he wrote to the Minister for Railways, as well as the Minister's reoly probably a difFerent aspect woi 11 now preva'F." There has recently been foim.d and registered in Dunedin a new union called the Dunedin Stage Employees' Industrial Union of Workers. The membership stands at 23; and the union is affiliated to the Australian parent body, the same conditions -of pay, etc , in connection with which also apply to New Zealand. Unions have now been formed in all the centres of the Dominion, Auckland being the last to join with 54 members. The Wellington Union has 58 members, and the Christchurch Union 45—making a total strength of 180. The union is recog- : nised by all the Australian theatrical ; companies tourng New Zealand, and ( its existence in this country, one of ' the leading members states, has al- I ready proved most beneficial to both si-V. 1'

The date of the Fire Brigades* Conference, to be held at Hastings, has been fixed for February 14th, 1910. The Pirinoa (Lower Valley) telephone exchange has been removed to the new office, which has been erected not far from the old site. A horse died at Patea recently under peculiar circumstances. On being examined the animal's stomachwas found to contain over 1001b of sand. A full rehearsal of all performers taking part in the Y.M.C.A. display will be held in the Town Hall tonight. The Boy Scouts will meet at the hall at seven o'clock. At Knox Church, on Sunday evening, the Rev. A. Thompson announced that the Church's year, which had just closed, had been a very satisfactory fine, and the congregation had raised the sum of no leas than sixteen hundred pounds. As a result of the appeal for subscriptions to present a testimonial ta Mr W. F. Massey, a substantial sum has been raised, and the presentation to the leader of the Opposition will take place in Auckland nexfc month, says a Press Association telegram. The committee has decided to invite Mr James Allen, M.P., to make the presentation on behalf of subscribers. The fortnightly meeting of the Stonehenge Lodge of Druids was held last evening, Bro. W. C. Gourley, A.D., presiding. A committee consisting of Bros. Pickering, Levien. Gourley a.id Pragnell, were appointed to draw up a programme of entertainment for Lodge members. The following officers were installed:— <■ Bros. Anderson, V.A.,; Blinkhorne,, A.D.8.; Davy, 0.G.; P.D.P.'p, Bros.. Shackelton and Pickering acting as installing officers. One candidatewas initiated and one proposed. At the Borough Council Chambers,, last evening, the Masterton Borough. Council resolved itself into a committee of the whole and passed a resolution extending to the family of the late Mr W. P. James the Council's deepest sympathy in their bereavement. The motion was carried in silence, Councillors standing as a mark of respect to the deceased gentleman. The Town Clerk was instructed to convey to Mrs James a copy of the resolution.

So successful lias been the run of the living picture in New Zealand that it is said that the proprietary of West's Pictures have] decided to erect special theatres' in the four" centres. In Australia the firm has just built a new theatre in Adelaide* is building one in Melbourne, has a long lease of the Glaciarium, Sydney,, and has permanent shows in Brisbane and Perth. Mr A. H. Gee, one of the members of the firm is a present in Wellington with a view to> promoting the picture theatre building schemed It is believed that in 1910 "West's" will be firmly established in the chief centres. A carpenter and cabinetmaker is prepared to undertake work at private houses. To-morrow beiner discount day, the Municipal Gas offices will be open as usual to-day for receiving tb.»i jjaontbrJy payments of gas coiisUMei'sT Mr John Hunter elsewhere notifies'"that he will not be a candidate at the; approaching Borough Council election. '■"'''' Messrs Varnham and" Rose invite • tenders Jo close at noon on Wednesday next for the erection of a res*idence at Upper Plain. The funeral of the late Mr R. D.Dagg will take place to-day leaving his late residence, Upper Plain, at; 1.30 p.m. ,; Miss Fionis notifies that the Arcadia Tea Rooms will be closed to the public from 4 o'clock, this afternoon.

Gas consumers are reminded that to-morrow; Thursday, is the last day on which discount will be al-. lowed on current accounts, Mess"s Hannah and Gx are at present holding a clearing sale of" boots and shoes. Exceptional bargains are offered, of which particulars will be found elsewhere. In connection with the auction sale* at the residence, Opaki Road, to-day r on account of.Mr W. F. Carrick, a brake will leave the Club; Hotel corner at 1.30 p.m. to convey passengers.'

The W.F.CA. now offer the OK washing machines on a four weeka free trial. Housewives are invited to see the machines, and have their advantages explained.

Messrs J. F. Heckler and other settlers at Mangahoe and , Hastwelll notify that poison for dogs has. been laid on their properties Particulars of the sections appear elsewhere.

Messrs George and Kersley, of thw Wellington, are offering special rates for kapoc beds and pillows. The particulars and prices are advertised on page 6 of this, issue.

Messrs Lee and Boxall, butchers,. Queen street, announce that they aresupplying the best quality meat atr. lowest prices, and their customers may rely on prompt delivery of." orders.

Messrs J. A. J. Maclean and Co.. announce that the sale of furniture; and effects from the Prince of WalesHotel will be continued at theirrooms, Perry street, at 2 o'clock,. on Saturday.

With the determination to clearthe whole of his winter goods, Mr H. A. Whelch has reduced the values of many lines so that his lady patrons are getting exceptional bargains in i articles ot winter wear. Blankets, quilts and dress materials are all reduced to bedrock prices. A visit of inspection will be appreciated.

There is no doubt the new Edison Record is a vast improvemnet oh the former record, from every point of vi«sw. The great advantage of the new record is, th«t there is twice the amount of mutio contained on them, thus doing away with the necessity of constantly changing the records upon the machine. There is, also, a more natural and sweeter quality of tone in the rendition of all classes of music. Phonograph owners should take immediate advantage of this marked advance in talking machines, by obtaining the new Amberol attachment, which can be fitted to Standard and Home machines at a small cost. They are on sale at tha Book Arcade (McLcod and Young) Queen Street.