LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9630, 23 October 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

So far this month very few applications for casual , relief have been received by the North Wairarapa benevolent Society. Next week thirty fhirdclass passengers should arrive in Wellington from Liverpool by the steamer Hrayton Grange. Nearly all hands on the cruiser Pioneer are New Zealandere. They are fond of football and cricket. They have a first rate cricket team. A supplier to the Kapuni Factory, (Taranaki,) is sending in 3,3201b of milk daily from 96 cows—machine milked. The local labour offices have ex • perienced a good demand for shearers, ploughmen, and farm hands generally during the last week or two, and in most cases then has been little difficulty.in filling the vacancies.

The contract for the erection of six rooms and effecting alterations to the Solway Home ,is being pushed rapidly ahead. Messrs Rose and Mason, the contractors, expect to have the work completed some time next month.

The "Otago Daily Times'' charac terises as unfair, invidious and dishonourable the Government's action in demanding as a condition of the continued prosecution of any railway extension that the settlers shall guarantee that the line shall earn 3 per cent, upon its capital cost. Supposing, says the "Pastoralists' Review," that during the year ending on tbe 30th of June next Australasia exports 2,400,000 bales of wool, and that the average value tor same amouits to £l3 per bale, which at current rates would be a moderate estimate, the gain in wealth to Australia and New Zealand from wool alone would amount to £31.000.000!

t The Wellington Oratorical Contest in Wellington last evening, presided over by Mr Justice Cooper, resulted I in Mr Oram (Victoria College) be- ' ing adjudged the winner, with Mr D. Hebenton (Masterton Y.M.C A.) s second. Seven competitors entered, and the margin between first and second was very small. Messrs F. M. B. Fisher, F. E. Baume and A. ' L. Herdman, M.P.'s, were the judges. Hazel Foley, a girl aged nine years, was killed at Invercargill on Thursday afternoon, by a window sash dropping on her neck. The child had been playing into the garden of a neighbour with other children. Their mother went out at 4 o'clock, locking the house. When she returned at 5.40 she found Hazel Foley with her head through a window from the outside, and the sash resting on her neck. The window had been left propped open with a stick. | Frank Lehar, the composer of "The Merry Widow" (says the "Northern Whig") takes his good fortune very well. When Vienna found that "The Merry Widow" was much to the liking of their folk, they took him in . their arms every evening when he arrived at his favourite restaurant. He is glnd, he says, to be independent now; money has made his life easier, so he can work better. He is a director of the Raimatid Theatre, Vienna. He is an alert, industrious man, of medium height, and is in his thirty-eighth year. The Rev. A. Hodge will conduct the services to-morrow in the C~mgregationa! Church morning and evening. At the morning service the series on "The Path of History," which was attracting a good deal of interest will be resumed, the special ' subject being "Migrating " At an early date tne Rev. A. Hodge intends beginning a series for Sunday even- , ings on "The British Empire and Religion," dealing with such subjects as "Christianity and Citizenship," ' "Christianity and Patriotism," * "Christianity and Government," "Christianity and Law," "Christi- c anity and Defence," "Christianity < and the Flag," "Christianity and t Taxation," "Christianity and the Stranger," "Christianity and Educa- t tion,"' "Christianity and Thrift," c and "Christianity and Freedom." r

It is anticipated that after all ex- i penses have been paid the proceeds from the recent Blossom and Butterfly Fair will amount to about £2OO. A case of scarlet fever was received at the Masterton Hospital yesterday from Eketahuna. This is the first fever case for some time, the fewer ward having been closed for about six weeks. A man was arrested by the police last evening on a charge of theft . of a skin from one of the local butchers. He will be brought before the Court this morning to answer the charge. The JHaka Troupe of Maoris who are now in America are apparently experiening a most prosperous tour. A local Maori this week received a letter from a member of the troupe, in which the writer referred in glowing terms to the warm receptiont given them. The writer considered that at the conclusion of the trip hist share of the proceeds would amount to £2,000. An afternoon first aid class for ladies is shortly to be started in Mas» terton, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association. The movement which is really to suit the convenience of those living in the country, is being taken up with enthusiasm, and a large member' ' ship is anticipated. Post Office Savings Bank return for the Dominion for the quarter ended September 30th last shpw that the withdrawals were £2,364,187,. and deposits £2,340,640, an excess of withdrawals over deposits of £23,546 for the peridd. The September quarter of 1908 showed an excess of withdrawals of £12.532. The monster bazaar, to be held m February next, in aid of the St. John Ambulance Brigade district nurse fund, is receiving the attention of an energetic committee of ladies. A sewing bee is held in the Dominion Hall every Friday afternoon, when a great deal of useful work, in aid of the laudable object is accomplished. The membership of the "bee' however, could be stll . further strengthened to great advantage, and ladies desirous of assisting; the movement are invted to communicate with Miss H. Gillespie. Gifts of material would also be appreciated.

At the Magistrate's Court, yesterday afternoon, legal argument was heard in the case T. J. Rathbone, of Carterton, sawmiller, v. R Harris, Maryborough, which had been adjourned from Carterton. Plaintiff claimed £26 19s Id, balance of account for timber supplied ,to one Whitehead and guaranteed by defendant. Mr P. L. Hollings appeared for plaintiff, and Mr u A. fownall for defendant At the conclusion of the argument th« presiding Magistrate, Mr R". B. Turton, reserved! his decision. l

Over a hundred vinegrowers in the Auckland province have petitioned Parliament, through Mr A. E. Glover, M.P., for the foaterinß of tha sale -of New Zealand wine. It is pointed out that under the existing: law it is practically impossible to obtain a license for the sale by retail of New Zealand wine. In all other British colonies it is stated that licenses are issued for the retailing of wine. The petitioners therefore asked, that legislation should be enacted providing that any fit person of good character shall be entitled to be licensed to sell pure New Zealand wine by retail. . ; ' ' .■,'■/ ■ •'.. : '■-

Says the "Wanganui Chronicle.** In connection with the impending prosecution of certain local bookmakers it is rumoured that a local "bookie" recently challenged the police tc prosecute him for Rtreefc j betting, threatening that if they did so he would reveal Borne specuI lative transactions in which some members of the force are, alleged 'to have been interested. It is also said that in consequence of this threat the informations have been limited to street loitering only* The plain English of this rumour is that certain members of the force are in the habit of noing business with the bookies. It is a matter of common knowledge that street betting has been carried on openly, it migbi almost be said flagrantly, for a long time past. The matter calls for 'enquiry. Shall a national memorial be erected tc the memory of all who were killed in the Maori War? This question was discussed at the Veterans' Association Conference at Wellington on Thursday last. It was pointed out that in several places in the Dominion there were monuments erected in the Boldier's memory, and that a better idea would be to make application to the Guild for the Preservation of Soldiers* Graves in South Africa, for a grant to enable the graves of soldiers and sailors who fought in New Zealand to be properly marked and tended. Colonel Porter said that he knew of graves in the Poverty Bay district which badly required some attention. He thought if application was made to Mrs Seddon, president in New Zealand of the guild, a grant would probably be obtained. In reference to an article on woolselling, which appeared in our columns on the Bth mat., in which the writer professed to express certain opinions, said to have been communicated to him by a member of a woolbroking firm' in London, Mr Thomas, of Messrs Thomas and Cook, woolbrokers, London, informs us that he has not been "interviewed" by anyone, and that he has several times, since visiting New Zealand, refused an interview to newspapers desiring the same. How the writer of the article acquired the subject matter of if, Mr Thomas is unable to determine, and he does not accept responsibility for any of the statements contained in it. As a matter of fact we received tbe article from an occasional correspondent, in whose reliability we believed. Publication of it has caused Mr Thomas some annoyance, a fact which we regret. Two smart waitresses are required by Messrs Gillespie and Co. A reliable boy or man accustomed ;o horses and able to milk is adver;ised for by Mr 0. C. Cooper. Notice is given that the premises ' if the various banks will be closed in October 28th—date of the Carteron Show. Services for to-nnrrow in connee• ion with the Methodist Church are letailed in an advertisement en age 1.

Ten pounds reward ia ottered fur the return of £3O lost Art Masterton m Thursday evening A six roomed house and six anil ahalf acres of Rood land are advertised for'sale. . Services in connnection with the X.M.C.A. fur this evening and tomntrow are announced in another •.column. Baring the mor.tli ended Septem*ber, 62 estates of deceased persons 'were placfd in the hands ot the Public Trustee for management. The wnold of the superior stock ,«f boots a'-.d shoes in the estate of '.the late Mr H. Petersen, Mnsterton, :ia now bring offered for sale at: a big -.reduction on actual coat price. The .management states that any reasonable cosh offer for any line in stock will not be refused, and residents generally are invited to inspect the goods, make a selection and en offer. In a month from date all stock remaining in the store will be sold by (public auction. An important sale of horse 3of various classes will be held by the Nrw Zealand Loan and Mercantile ■ Co., Ltd., at "TattersaH •, Hawera, on Friday and Saturday, -October 29th and 30th. The entry comprises over 500 horses, including heavy and mediun. draughts, lorry, farm, van and spring cart sorts, bus, carriage and light harness horses, hackney?, remounts, polo, and Shetland ponies. Particulars are advertised on page 8 of this issue. A well made linen costume is undoubtedly the most appropriate dress for summer wear. Ladies who arp particular about the fit, style and finish of their apparel, will be interested in Mr Albert Webb's announcement about dainty linens in this issue. Mr Webb,jwith his usual forethought, has prepared for the sum.mer month, for ladies who desire comfortable and becoming costumes Mr Webb has some delightful patterns of linen textiles and the modest . price of 63s for a tailor-made dress is all that is asked for these cos i tames. •