LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9586, 4 September 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The total membership of lawn tennis clubs in the Wellington province now exceeds 2,000. "What is the secret of your success?" asked a writer in the "Pastoralists' Review." in talking to a Waikato farmer who is making £4OO a year on 80 acres. "The beginning, the middle and the end of it," answered the farmer, "is economy and hard work. Nowadays it is all talk and write, and not enough worK." A local farmer (says the "Waimate Witness") lost six good dairy cows the other day through over-feeding on mangolds. The animals were four-year-olds, the pick of the her:], and in fine condition, representing the value at least of £SO. They were dead in the paddock within twelve hours of the overloading. From the Upper Plain v,e glean that the crops are well forward, and looking exceedingly well. On some farms there is yet a considerable acreage to be sown, settlers awaiting the drying of the soil to complete the work. Lambing is repoited to be fair, and no great death rate is recorded in consequence of the recent inclement weather conditions.

The Ground Committee of the Masterton Racing Club will meet at the course this morning to discuss the adviaableness of allowing the outside of the courre proper to be utilised for training purposes in view of the forthcoming meeting. A number of cases arising out of failure to register dogs, under the Dogs Registration Act of 1908, will shortly be heard in the Masterton Court. The announcement may serve as a warning to owners of canines who have overlooked the matter.

The Rev. Alfred Hodge will conduct services in the Congregational Church to-morrow. The morning subject will be the continuation of "The Path of History," and the evening "The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins." The anniversary will be held naxt Sunday. A gentleman of long residence in the Te Rangitumau district informs a representative of this journal that the lambing which commenced early is quite a record one, there being a very large percentage of twins, 'ihero has, however, been some mortality among lambs born during the old snap experienced this week. The condition of stock is highly satisfactory.

A social gathering of old and new members was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last night. About sixty members were present. Mesrss A. Snowball, Greenwood, Wilson, Ibbetson Kemp, Hebei.ton, and Thomson contributed songs. Mr Falla presided, and an enjoyable evening was spent. After the concert the members w*re entertained at supper.

A meeting of members of the Fire Police and Fire Brigade was held last night, Mr F. Hunn presiding. It was decided to hold a sacred concert in the Town Hall on Sunday week. The arranging of the programme was left in the hands of Messrs Hunn, Jago and Iggulden. Mr L. H.. Lewis was elected secretary.

The two groynes recently constructed at the Wcingawa river in the vicinity of the water supply intake at the Fernridge have produced m j st excellent results. The longest groyne, whirh measures some 90 fret, realised fully the anticipations (i c the settlers, and with the l ist flood ihe troublesome river was slowly but surely deviated along a course in the bed, that will render the lands con tiguous to the river immune from an attack for a time at least.

It is expected that the low prices now being obtained for frozen meat will affect the prices of rams this season. A local breeder states that a Hawke's Bay station owner whom he has been supplying with both ttomney and Southdown rams, has written asking for quotations, and enclosed a copy of his account for frozen mutton, as a sort of hint that the quotation should be correspondingly low. Some amusement was caused in the main street of Waipukurau by the unusual spectacle of a calf pursuing a telegraph messenger. After vain endeavours to ride away from the animal, the messenger was brought to the ground. The calf then went in pursuit of a medical man, who was in his motor-car, aad he was obliged to take refuge in the post office. The calf, weary of waiting for the doctor to reappear, followed in the wake of the Waipawa coach.

What the North requires is experienced men. In ths light of knowledge gained during the immediate past a few years in connection with our gum and other so-called "poor lands," it can be affirmed (says the Auckland "Herald") that the whole of the territory despised in the past wiil yet prove to be prolifically wealth producing. Superphosphates, basic slag, and newcomers are working wonders. When the fruitgrowers make their advent, and the open teatree lands are transformed into a vast orchard on Californian lines—when fruit canneries will rival butter factories in number —then will the people of the Dominion recognise that the most valuable territory they possess is that encompassed in the North Auckland peninsula.

Another story about the party of Maoris who have gone for a tour of American theatres: An old Maori is said to have gone ashore at Rarotnnga to have a look round. The beat was very oppressive, but, despite this /act, the old Maori mustered up enough energy to purchase a cheap thermometer, and, after addressing it to his home at Te Aroha, asked a postal official how much it would cost to send. The inquisitive man asked what the parcel contained, and received the startling reply that it was a thermometer he was sending to his people to prove how hot it was in the Cook Islands!

Opunake has lost a relic—the old cannon that stood at the foot of the flagstaff on the cliff. It was a relic of the early days, forming part of the salvage of the wreck of the Lord Worsley at Te Namu, a wreck that is remembered as the occasion upon which the Maoris were so hospitable to the ship's passengers. Some hare-brained idiots evidently wanted to know what sort of a noise a cannon would make, so on Saturday night the crammed , the rusty old weapon with explosives, affixed a slow fuse, and fired it. The cannon exploded, and the noise brought people out to see what was wrong, the general impression seeming to be that the town's acetylene gasometer had exploded. Fortunately, the trouble lay elsewhere. The gun and gun-carriage were blown to smithereens, some pieces of metal beintr found in the main • treet of the town a quarter of a mile away. On IhurFda? evening the somewhat'novel sight of a local constable in full pursuit of a ma!! with a demijohn of beer tucked n*i j der his arm caused some amusement at the rnilwav station. The suspicions of the vigilant "limb of the law" were smtusea o-i noticing that an individual, who had just alighted from the train from the direction of Carterton, was making a very hurried departure from the station. The constable commenced to investigate, ■ with the result that the object of his attentions made off at top speed. The finale to the episode was that on the contents of the vessel being measured they were found (o be quite within the amount allowed by law to he brought into the "dry area." The person referred to by his own actions therefore subjected himself to a very unnecessary fright.

There are at present fifty motorcars and seventy-two motor cycles • registered in Masterton. In ti ma Hon baß been received by the Onehunga Borough Council that Mr Andrew Carnegie, the American-multi-millionaire, ha3 t agreed to give - £2,000 for the erection of a new library building at Onehunga.

The Rev. C. E. Porter will conduct both services in the Masterton Methodist Church to-morrow, at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., also at Rangitumau at 3 o'clock. The subjects i;o be dealt with at the Masterton services will be found elsewhere. Mr A. J. Mmifie will conduct the service at Kuripuni at 7 p.m. Mastprton has been comparatively free from infectious fever cases for some time past. This is very satisfy tory when comparison is made of t he number of cases recorded in previous years about this time. Some four years ago-there was a somewhat serious epidemic of scarlet fever, not only in the town, but the country districts as well. The annual social and ' dance of

the Hibernian Society will be held" next Thursday evening, in the Foresters" Hall. A strong committee has been working assiduously for some time past, and all the ai range—ments are well in hand. The social

in question has always been a very popular event, and the committee are leaving no stone unturned to make this year's function as attractive as its predecessors.

The section inJHall Street, adjacent to the Post Office, on which recently rested what is now the School Museum, cannot be described as an ornament to one of the mam streets of the town. Devoid of a fence between it and the street, the gaping recess extends an open invitation for the deposit of stray bottles tins, and other articles of rubbish. Six months hence, if nothing is done, the collection of rubbish, if allowed to remain, and grow, should be quite a novel sight, but the reverse of ornamental.

The employees of the W.F.C.A.., held their 7th annual social in the Foresters' Hall, last Thursday evening, about sixty couples being present. The supper room, made into a sitting out room looked very attractive, the supper being partaken of in a big marquee. Excellent musicwas provided by Mr Reihana Boyes' String Band. Extra? were played by Misses Von Keisenberg, Iggulden Frost and Mr Clayson. The duties of M'sC were capably carried out by Messrs A. C. Pragnell, J. E. La Roche, F. KeJjy and A. K. Putter. Much of the success of the gathering was due to the able manner in which the secretaries, Messrs C. C. Smith and Jas. Pryor, carried out the various arrangements for the' dance.

An experienced rabbiter with pack of good does, seeks a poaition on farm or station.

An impounding notice from tjie Masterton poundkeeper is published?! elsewhere.

A fancy dress'and poster ball will 4 be held in the Drill Hall on Thursday, September 30th.

The services for to-morrow in connection with Knox Church appear in an advertisement on the first page. A good snapshot can always be? taken with one of Mr H. T. Wood's cameras. He also supplies full photographic outfits. At the Masterton Auction Mart, this afternoon, Mr J. K. Nicol will sell on account of a gentleman leaving for Australia a good range of furniture and effects.

Those who look for comfort, style, fit and finish in their suits should get into touch with Mr Albert Webb, tailor, Masterton. A splendid dairy farm of 165 acres is offered for lease by Messrs Spence and Co., land agents, Dannevirke.

Messrs E. Pedersen, C. B. Pharazyn, T. Wyeth, J. M. McPeake, and G. E. Deadman, of Upper Opaki, notify that trespassers on their properies will be prosecuted. The usual meetings and strangers' tea will be held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms to-morrow. The General Secretary will deliver an address entitled "Plats and Sharps—or Better than a Better," A bargain in sheep country is advertised by Mr J. R. Nicol, of Bannister Street. Those who are seeking this class of land are invited to communicate with the agent, where, further information ia obtainable. The price of this property is £3 10s per acre.

Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., acting under instructions from the Wairarapa Motor Company, in liquidation, will offer for sale at the Company's garage, Chapel Street, on Saturday, October 16th, seven up-to-date motor cars. The whole of the cars are in first-class order, and will, be sold absolutely without reserve. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company will hold a sale of stock, vehicles, harness, cows, and the contents of the general store owned by Mr H. Larsen, junr., at Mangamahoe on Tuesday,. September 9th. Mr Larsen has disposed of his property there and in- ! tends leaving the district, and the sale will give settlers an opportunity of securing bargains in the linea mentioned. Full particulars appears on page 8 of this issue. An important sale of valuable section* in the Borough of Greytown will be held by Messrs Dalgety and Co., in that town on Thursday, September 16th. The property consists of 40 acres having a frontage to three streets, and is divided into areas of from one to five acres. The terms of sale are 10 per cent, on fall of hammer, and balance within three months (Full particulars may bn obtained from Mr D. P. Loasby, Greytown, or the auctioneers.

Mr T. McCracken, .furniture manufacturer and gent ral hou ,c furnisher, will remove into his new premises, opposite Wagg and Co's., Queen Street, Masterton, within the next few weeks. He" reports' that his business has grown so rapidly that larger premises are absolutely necessary to cope with it. In another column Mr McCracken returns thanks for.-the liberal patronage that has been accorded him, and announces that he will hold a genuine sale of high-class furniture previous to removal, starting from today. In an inset circulated with this issue, illustrations of some of the lines-to be,offered are given.

Information has been received by tha Secretary of Marine, Wellington, ©f the death oi Mr John Hebberley, cf Picton, who had been on a visit to Campbell Island was a passenger on the Government steamer Hinemoa. He made the trip in ordar to see his Bona, who are on Campbell Island, shearing sheep for the Hon. Captain Tucker, of Gisborne (who has a run on that island), and also whaling in the nei«hbouring watsrs. The Hintmoa arrived back at the Bluff from *he islands, at a little after 20 o'clock, and it ia understood that Mr Heberley. who was ahout 70 of age, died shortly after the ship got into porr. Deceased was the eldest son of the late Mr James Hebberley, better known as "Old "Worser," who was one of the original settlers of Wellington and Marlborough. A spring dray carrying a load of two tons is advertised for sale. At their Masterton Rooms, at 2 p.m. to-day, Mes?rs Dalgety and Co.. Ltd., will sell on account of Mr Donald Douglas, the goodwill of 476 acres education reserve at Te Wharau, thirteen years to run, annual rental £2l 18s 4d. with right of renewal for a further term of twenty-one years. The property is twenty-five miles from Masterton, by good road, and one mile from post and telegraph office. It is ieo«ed on two sides, and , country , well •watered. All the land is in grass, excepting a small area of bush reserve for fencing and milling purposes. The property is said to be capable of carrying one thousarfd sheep besides cattle.