LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9544, 16 July 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest dredging returns to hand are as follow: Master*on 30oz 15dwt v tor week; Mystery Flat 620z lOdwr, for week. The Mastertjn Mounted Rifles will hold their annual, ball on August 26th.

The depredations of eels have caused serious lo3s to the Feilding Acclimatisation Society, and they have decided to liberate all their trout. Of 5,G00 fry in the ponds the eels have got about half. The mining companies interested in the deep levels scheme at the Thames have accepted the Government subsidy of £5,000 and will proceed with the work. The decision has given much satisfaction Dr. Cook, fresident of the Masterton Mo'rris Tube Association, has presented a hansdome set of carvers to the Association as a trophy for competition. Trophies have also been promised by Messrs D. Wilton. H. Cole, D. Gardiner, A. Johansen, Levin and Co. and Smith and Sons.

The inspsctor of weights and measures has been visiting Christchurch bakers in or-der to ascertain whether they have been selling standard weight Joaves. He called on about 40, and of that number about a dozen will probably . have to explain to a magistrate why their bread was under weight. A young woman, named Francis Hilda Hodge appeared before Mr C. C. Graham, S.M., at Masterton, yesterday morning, charged with the theft of a number of books and other articles (chiefly bottles oi cooking ingredients), valued at £3 2s, the property of John Townsend Fowler, of Lansdowne. Mr U. A j Pownall appeared for accused. After hearing the-evidence His Worshid said he must enter a conviction. In view, of the girl's previous excellent character the ends of justice would be met by a fine of £2 and costs. Referring to the sculling championship at Wanganui, the Sydney "Refeee" says:—The great drawback, in fact, the only drawback, at Wanganui, is the taking of 50 per cent, of the "gate" (the steamers) by the owners of the crafts. The steamboat service is a mot;opr)ly. It certainly does seem altogether unreasonable that with say, a "gate" of £7OO, the steamer proprietary should annex £350 for the use of five steamers for the afternoon; whilst the scullers would only get the other £350 between them.

A little girl named Adelaide Jones (s:aped a volJnt death by a narrow margin in Auckland on Saturday. Together with her sister she alighted from a down car at the Shortland street corner, and started for the opposite pavement, when an upcoming car came upon her suddenly, and, to the consternation of the onlookers, she was struck to the ground, and for the fraction of a second lay full in the path of the oncoming car. Happily she was caught up by the lifeguard, and carried on in it till the promptly applied brakes brought the car to a stop.

There were very heavy frosts in Woodville on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. - The barque Empreza, which arrived at Gisborne on Wednesday afternoon from Newcastle, had an exeedingly rough experience off the coast a few days ago. She lost her foretopmast. The Otago Shop Tailors and Tailoresses' Union artd the employers in Dunedin, Oamaru, and Invercatgill have, after many conferences, come to a final settlement in connection with all matters in dispute. The "Western Star" reports that a mysterious disease has made its appearance on a farm in the Apirima district. It is reported tha some 80 sheep have already died, and although the local veterinary surgeon (Mr Williamson) and Mr Wright (of the Stock Department) have examined the sheep affected, they are unable to form any idea as to the nature o£' the trouble. The paddocks and surroundings in which the sheep are running is in a perfectly clean and wholesome condition, so that the outbreak is unaccountable. The second annual social under the auspices of the United Friendly Societies was held in the Foresters' Hall, last evening. The committee in charge of the function had all arrangements well in hand, and the result was a most successful gathering. About seventy couples occupied; the floor, which was in excellent order, and dancing was continued until the early hours of the morning. The duties of M's.C. were in the capable hands of Messrs V. Darroch, J. Comper, and J. Conner. An excellent supper was provided, the decoration of the tables being particularly attractive. The secretaries, Messrs S. O'Regan and J. B. Rue worked assiduously to make the gathering a success. The Ladies'" Committee, consisting of Mesdames C. Perry, Pragnell, Shackleton, Day,. O'Regan, Feilding, and Misses O'Leary, Franks and Shackleton, were untiring in their efforts to make the dance an enjoyable one.

An extraordinary disturbance took place on a recent Sunday evening at the Presbyterian Church, Men tone (says the Melbourne "Argus"). Twc< members of the choir .had a difference in the aisle as the congregation were filing off the premises at the conclusion of the service, and one of them, a young man,, struck the other, who is middle-aged, a violent.blow under the eye. Several gentlemen at once separated the parties, and hurried them out of the church. The officers of the churchwill deal with the two persons concerned. The cause of the trouble appears to have been that the individual assaulted had been concerned in the conduct of the Cheltenham A.N.A. competitions,; and a complaint had been made against his fairness in compiling the programme.. His conduct has been upheld by the A.N.A. competitions committee after enquiry, but a fresh cause of grievance appears to have arisen out of the affair since.

[ Information obtained fry.- an. " Otago "Daily Times" reporter in> 1 North Otago and South Canterbury f indicates that agriculturists, in--3 fluenced by the exceedingly high, prices ruling for wheat in Europe,, and a promise of continued shortage in the world's wheat supply are preparing a very large area of ground for cultivation next season'. It is estimated by one gentleman who kiows the districtt boroughly, and is closely; associated with farming interests,. that, given a favourable spring, thes area under wheat between Chiistchurch and Palmerston South during! the forthcoming summer will, in the aggregate, show an increase- of 70 per cent, on that of last season. His - calculations are based on conversations with wheatgnwers and on his J own observations, \ and are, he con- ; aiders, fairly reliable. He believes ' that North Otago will show an in- • crease of 60 per cent, and South Cani terbury very nearly if not actually 80 per cent. 5 "An easier tone, "eays the "Trade Review," in an article on the money market, "is already noticeable all? round, but there is still Home leeway to be made up.. It must'be remembered, also, that the March and June quarters are the 'far" quarters of New Zealand finance,, and tne 'lean' quarter, the third and fourth quarters of the year, have to be met. In the September and December quarters of 1908 the imports exceeded the exports by two millions and one million .respectively, and if this experience were repeated in the current year it would mean a serious setback in the position. There is every reason, however, to hope that better results will be achieved this year. A larger volume of exports may be anticipated than in 1908, and it is practically certain that the volume of imports will be considerably lighter. However, if for that, six months we can just keep «n even balance we shall have done well. After that we may look for ! another move ahead." Twelve pullets or chickens ere required by an advertiser. Mr R. Brown, estate agent, Masterton, has for sale the timber rights on 1200 acres of 4 'mixed bush. Mr F. P. Welch advertises for an experienced ploughman with references, married couple, etc. Mr G. Olliver, Pine street, is selling the best class of coal at the lowest cash price. Mr F. P. Wehh advertises for sale a choice sheep and cattle fattening; farm. This property'is offered cheap, for a quick sale. Also a bargain in Masterton property, close to thecentre of the towi/.

Additional assistance has been secured by C. Smith, Ltd.,. for the sale period, which opens to-day. The prices quoted in the inset circulated with yesterday morning's Age. were q-'irc sufficient to influence record iii.-lts at the firm's store

during the ntx: two weeks

In an advertisement column, Mr <"". Pratt, trustee in the assigned esii^e

of Mr C. C. Aitken, bookseller and

stationer, of Masterton, announces that Messrs S. and W. Mackay,. of Wellington, have purchased this

estate, and that all accounts in con-

nection with same are now payable to them, and that their receipts

will be sufficient discharge. Hoarseness in a child subjeafc to e. oup is a sure indication of the approach of the disease. If Chamber'ain's Cough

Remedy is given fit once, or even alter the croupy cough has appeared i: will prevent the attack. Pieasant to take and contains no poi-on. For sale by all clen.*ists and storekeepers,