LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9605, 27 September 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest return from the Worksop Dredge is 40oz 17iwt for the week. The Masterton branch of H.M. Veterans has now a membership of fifteen

A pig belonging to Mr Charles Webbe, of Mahakipawa, was. killed the other day, and topped the scale at 5121b.

The Poultry classes at the Hawera Technical School have proved such a success that a class will probably be formed at Normanby. A private cablegram was received in Masterton yesterday that the Masteron horse Osiris had. won the High Weight Welter easily, at the Hawkesbury (New South Wales) meeting.

The morning and evening services at the Congregational Church yesterday were conducted by Mr F. T. Redman, who preached a most impressive sermon on each occasion.

A Maori woman at Wairoa, Hawke's Bay, his refused £5 for a large black pearl, which she found in a cockle that had come from Napier. At the Wanganui Supreme Court on Saturday morning Samuel Meatyard, late manager of the Wanganui branch of the U.F.C.A., was sentenced to twelve months for falsifying books. ——

The?*Ashburton correspondent of the "Areas'' states that Mr N. Jonason, of Ashburton, has completed the model of an aeroplane. It is his intention to float a syndicate build a large machine, and compete against the machines in Great Britain and on the Continent.

The ladies of the Featheraton Golf Club nn Thursday afternoon played the finals lor trophies given by Messrs J. Cotter and J. Crawford, Miss Viles being the winner of both. In the Club Championship, Mrs •Saunders secured the victory, Mrs Lucas being runner uo. On Thursday afternoon next Mr? Toogood plays Mrs Saunders, hnl.i r of the Cotter Rose bowl, lor the honour. Mr Kirk, F.L.S., Government biologist, states that, alt .ough New Zealand grew nearly as many potatoes as Tasmania, our country is not so dependent as tbe_ little Australain Stat=. on outsirtd markets Tasmania grows 38,000 acres of potatoes, and hersr-lf e« r i f 3 only 4,000 Of them. But New Z inland grows 30,000 acres, and eat, them nearly aH. A Press Assoriatior ! legram states that in connection wr'i the Gisborne fire raisin?, thepJi.o subsequently arrested a lad Thomas Foster aged 18, on suspicion of being with another person named O'Sullivan. and he confessed that they had been responsible for all the recent fires except one. "O'Sillivan also admitted complicity in the fire rai.-ing. The hoys were at tlva S.M. Court on Saturday morning charged with incendiarism/ and remanded" for a w.aelc.

On Saturday evening an address was given at thJ Post Office corner by the Rev. C. E. Porter, of the Method ist Church. That the address was bright and atfractive was shown by the large crowd, especially of men, who gathered to listen to the speaker. At the conclusion of his remarks, which were on "Great Responsibilities," Mr Porter thanked those present for the attentive m<*nrer in which they had listened to him, and announced that, weather permitting, he would continue to give addresses on Saturday evenings

The annua! meeting of the Masterton branch of H.M. Veterans was held on Saturday evening, Mr W. Cullen presiding over a good attend' ance. Mr.W. Cullen was re-elected vice-president for the .ensuing year, making it his ninth term of office as vice-president. Mr G. M. Wood was re-elected secretary. Mr Studolph, secretary of the Wellington branch, was tl?cted delega'e to represe t the Maaterton branch at the annual conference of the Veterans' Association in Wellington on October 22nd. The credit balsnce was reported to be over £2. Three new members were elected. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the chairman and secretary for the satisfactory manner in which they carried out their duties during the past yea \ "One begins to hear now such an expression as 'TI ings are improving'! and this from business men who ought tn know. We believe this to be correct for there are distinct signs of recovery. In viewing this matter it is well to remember that we as a community have been able to contribute very little towards bringing about the improvement. The depression, such as it was and is, was not of our choosing, and came in spite of us. It visited us through the drop in the values of our produce, and was f It more severely than it should have been because during the long years of proarctity We drifted into an extravagant style of living, and the enforced economy was irksome. We liavj had to materially curtail our imports, and to cut down expenses n vtiioua directions to meet th-f cha-igfd conditions. This economy has be n beneficial in two ways, it has ttught us the folly of being extravagant and it has helped to recover much sooner thun would otherwise have been the case."— "Mercantile Gazette."

Relative to the supposed loss of the Waratah,, a private letter received from a former resident of Mornington, says a Dunedin paper, and dated August Bth, states that the steamer on leaving Durban carried 93 passengers, and nearly 200 of a crew. It is feared she ran into a cyclone and either t'irned turtle or collided with another boat The fact of two oars marked 'Asiatic' having been washed ashore gives some colour to the theory of a collision. The South African coast is tit all times a very dangerous one, and ships that encountered the cyclone that is known to have occurred arrived here in a terribly battered condition. A whole family named Turner who lived in our neighbourhood took passages in the big steamer for England. One of them, a girl of sixteen, had a dream before leaving that the Waratah. when a few hours out from Durban, would run into a frightful storm, turn over and go down, and all would be drowned. The dream had such an effect upon the young girl that she was afraid to go by the Waratah, and was very miserable about it. However, the entire family went, and it now seems as if the I dream has been realised.

The annual meeting of the members of the Rival Cricket Club will' be held in Messrs W. B. Chennells and Co.'s rooms at 8 o'clock, tonight,

Sir Joseph Ward will return to New Zealand a grandfather. A son was born to Mr and Mrs Cyril Ward at Invercargill a few days ago.

The Congregational Institute will meet at a quarter to eight o'clock this evening, when the subject for discussion will be a "Question Box," and other important business will be dealt with. Mr Robert Womaeh, the discoverer of the celebrated Cripple Creek goldfield, died at Colorado Springs, U.SA., on August 10th, in a state of almost abject poverty. Womaeh sold his claim for £IOO, and it subsequently produced gold worth £56,000,000.

"We in Victoria are being legislated to death," remarked the Rev. G, H. Cole, of Melbourne, during a lecture in Christchurch. "We sometimes wish that some of our legislators would take a single ticket to — Timbuctoo. There are too many poli ticians and not enough statesmen."

Surprise has been occasioned in Napier by the acceptance of the tender of a Chinese fruiterer for the fruit stand at the H.B. A. and P. Society's spring show. The "Telegraph," however, has ascertained that there were no tenders before the committee from European vendors, notwithstanding the fact that several had been asked to send forward prices. Hence it was a case of Hobson's choice.

While congratulating the Liberal Party in Kangitikei on its success, the Dunedin "Star" takes the Minister for Agriculture severely to task for his Taihapa speech, which it characterises as blazing an indiscretion as that which cost Mr Hogg Cabinet rank. The paper refuses to believe that *Sir Joseph Ward is pre ■ pared to sacrifice all that Ballance, M'KenziP, Seddon and Ward fought for on the land question.

It was atatad at the annual meet ing of the Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association that some time ago a general challenge had been issued to pit the Hereford against any other breeds as beef producers. The conditions laid down were that a number of yearling bullocks should be put in a paddock with a similar number of any other' breej, kept there for two years, and then exhibited, killed, frozen and sold on the London market The challenge had not been taken up, and the secretary, Mr G. R. Sykes, was -asked to i c sue it again, and write to leading breeders of other kinds of cattle.

The Pitt&burg correspondent of the "New York Herald" stated on August 9th that the late Mr Pit cairn, formerly assistant to the president of the Pennsylvanian Rail way, has left a fortune estimated at £3,000,000, to h!s widow. His will contained only twelve lines of typewriting. The shortest will on record was that left by Mr F. C. W. Thome, of Amesbury Avenue, Streatham (England), who died in May, 1905 It was aa follows:—"All to Mother. GT." The longest will contained 26,000 words, and was written by Mr Edward Bush, a retired Gloucester engineer, who died last year, leaving £114,813,

At a parade of the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles, Colonel Bauchop, Officer Commanding the Wellington district, presented the following trophies:—Bolton Cup, to the squadron (won four times in succession); champion belt, won by Sergeant Hill in 1908; medals for past winners of champion belt, Sergeant Walden (1904), Trooper Wise (1905), Trooper Marei/zi , (1907), Sergeant Hill (1908); Levin cup, Trooper E Olsen; Levin cup medals, Trooper Clarke (1907), Trooper Olsen (1908); regimental gold badge, Trooper Marenzi;* marksmen's badges, Corporal Rashleigh, Trooper W. Olsen and Sergeant Hill; Captain Page's opera glasses, Sergeant Hill.

A hammer letter-stamper is one of the improvements the secretary of the Post and Telegraph Office (Mr D. Robertson) noted in Germany, samples of which have since arrived in Wellington to his order. Ordinarily letters are stamped by an ingenious machine, through which they pass so rapidly that they resemble a strip of ribbon in motion. But some letters are too big and others are too thick for the machine, and have to be stamped with a hand-puncher, which is apt to make the wrist ache after a little use. The hammer stamper does away with the jar, and makes the work easier than knocking tacks into soft white pine. The hammer letter-stamper is likely to bo adopted thoughout the whole of the Dominion.

A trick of tha trade in regard to the frozen lamb and mutton business was divulged at the meeting of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, by the chairman of directors, who stated that one of his fellowdirectors fallowed ihe practice of closely watching the reports of the Australian Eleven matches in England as an index to the state of the meat market. If the play was interfered with by rain, he told himself with a knowing nod, that prices for lamb and mutton would recede, while reports of bright weather would indicate that prices would be in favour of the producer The chairman said that prices for lamb and mutton had this year been very disastrous, owing to the cold, wet summer that had been experienced.

There was a |ai\?e attendance at both morning and evenng service held in the Methodist Cbmvh yesterday. At the morning service the Rev. Porter spoke to the children on the Commandments. Mr Porter's ad> dress to the audits was "The Faith and Function of Conscience," being the last of a set of four addresses that have been given during the last four Sundays. During the offertory a solo was sung by Mr ri. 11. Ralph. At the evening service Mr Porter gave the last of a series of Evangelistic addresses, which have been a special feature of the s rvices during the month. The address was "A Trumpet Blast to Slumberers," basing hh remarks on Rornane, 13th chap. 11th verse, and Ephesians, sth chap., 14th verse. There were also good congregations at the services held nt Rangitumau by Mr A. Minifie in the afternoon". During this week special Evangelistic services will be held in the Kuripuni Church each evening.

An oratorical cuntest for a goldi medal donated ,to the Society is to be held at the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Wednesday, the 29th inst. There are eight contestants, who are tO' give a fifteen minutes' oration on the life of some great man. Messrs Hon:sby and Rige are the judges, and a very educative time is guaranteed to the audience. "From our solicitor," said the Secretary of (he Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association, at the annual meeting at Feilding, "I get plenty of advice, but no Dili." Under these' circumstances the members had no hesitation in re-electing Mr P. L. Boilings, of Masterton, honorarysolicitor, one member remarkingthat the usual thing was to get a< little advice and a long bill.

When the Australian cricketers were in Edinburgh, Messrs Laver,' Whitty and Bardsley, unknown to the others, took part in a theatrical company's performance of "Rob noy." They were dressed as Highlanders, and their comrades, who were not in the secret, failed to recognise them until the play was almost at an end, so well were they disguised. This little escapade caused no end of fun and sensation amongst the Australians.

A blight in tomatoes has broken out in various parts of the Auckland province, Waikumete growers especially complaining that the prospects for the coming season are anything but satisfactory, and hothouse growers have already lost very heavily, one well-known fruitgrower, Mr C. T. Spearpont, having only succeeded in saving 700' out of 5,000 plants. The plants seem to be affected by the Irish blight, and the continued 'wet and damp Weather during the past month is supposed to have been in a measure responsible for the outbreak. Testimony to the water divining abilities of the Rev. H. Mason was; given at a meeting of the Auckland/ Farmers' Freezing Company. The chairman of the company explained that there was a shortage of water at the Southdown works, and the directors engaged the Rev. MrMason, who, said the chairman, "spotted two really good springs,. one of which gives a flow of 6,000' gallons per hour, and the other about 10,000 gallons per hour.. The sinking of the wells cost us a good deal of money, but the results were well.i worth it.

Exchange agreements by which one party exchanges property with •■ another, are quite common in practice, as a solicitor said 'in the Supreme Court in Wellington. He added that it was a new system that, had come into vogue recently. Mr* Justice Chapman remarked that it was a system that did not obtain in * any other part of New Zealand, and ,; that stamp duty did not appear to * check it. The witness replied that it was not the slightest check, and, .as - a matter of fact, the exchange agreement was regarded by both' parties aa a handy method of getting over the stamp duty. It had developed into a fine art in Wellington.

The New Zealand Railways De--partment announce that special excursion tickets will be issued to«Peatherston in connection with the racs • meeting at Martinborough on Thursday and Friday next.

Messrs Jas>. Elliott and Co., .saddlers, Masterton, have to hand theirnew supplies for cricket, tennis-and : croquet players. The goods havebeen imported direct fmm the- best makers of sporting goods and include bats (specially selected bv the well-* known umpire,. Mr J. Mosa). Tenuis-. j racquets, balls nets, wickets, gloves and score books. Players are invited to inspect the new goods. On Wednesday next, at the residence, No. 74 Worksop road, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of., Mrs P. Fabian, who is leaving Masterton,:. the whole of the well-selected household furniture, also standard 15 h.p. Ford motor car. The full lisfc comprises a fine range of desirable' lines, which are in first-class order through- • out. Particulars of the principal ' goods are now advertised.

I The art and industrial section at ■■ the Manawatu A. and P. Show is-'the only annual exhibition of its kind on such an extensive scale,'and with so many sub-divisions pro- - vided. The sections comprise photo- • graphy, landscape, seascape, figure study, and animal life, besides jinior classes. Technical schools are furnished with a most extensive num--ber of classes, embracing drawing,. ' painting, in many phases of art, . modelling, design and art craft work, architectural and mechanical drawing. The public school competition syllabus compiled by the Teachers'' Institute is accomplishing admirable ? work, and is much appreciated by the pupils, who enter in large numbers. The schedules have been largely distributed to various technical and public schools, and judging--frv/m advices to hand entries will be - larger than last year.

The extent of the works at which" the famous Bass Ales are produced" to-day is so enormous that it is somewhat difficult to realise thesmall beginnings from which this firm developed. Early in the 18th century, in the days when railways were undreamt of. and the work of transporting goods in England was done by means of great lumbering waggons, in which passengers were' seated, one of the chief carriers of the time was a certain Bass of Staffordshire. Bass combined the business of brewing with that of carrying, but his liquors became so extremely popular that he disposed of his carrying business and devoted himself to brewing. Thus was established the famous Bass concern of to-day, whose ales, bottled under the name of Dog's He?d by Messrs Read Bros., Ltd., constitute by far the largest proportion of ales exported to the Dominion, indicating that their superior quality is proportionate ai widely recognised in New Zealand to-day as irt the Old Land. If you realise the essentia; jmoor&anee of music in the home, you rea>Uy realisethat a piano is as necessary in a house as a cooking range. But you may think there are difficulties in your way. Your income may be restricted, the calls en it numerous. The Dresden Piano Companyexists primarily to dpal with just such, cases as yours, It will provide you with a piano of the highest quality, and payment can never become a trouble. Make inquiry. Mr M. J. Brookes is manager for the North Island. Lccal representative, Mr T. B. Hi-nter.

Effervescent Saline, purifying, refreshing, invigorating to all who suffer from sickness, headache, sluggish liver, ot» Price, 2/6. H. T. Wood, Chemist and Pharmacist 4 bylexam,), Masterton *