LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9644, 9 November 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr E. W. Abbott, Organising Secretary of the Shearers' Union in thia district, has just returned from a visit to the East Coast sheds in the interests of the Union. He was well received by both employers and the men, and found everything working moat satisfactorily.

Prom lib of tubora Mr G.eorgG White, of Ilkeston, has obtained a yield of 2291b of potatoes, which con* stitutes a world's record, Bays the London "Daily Mail." The fleece of a Lincoln ram recently shorn in South Taranaki turned the scale at 36flb. As is usual, with stud sheep, the wool was not cut closely, or the fleece would have topped 401b.

Sawmilling was the principal in* dustry in Dannevirke, district a few years back, but some thirty odd mills have disappeared, and only six now remain, and four of these are small.! The lands which were held under sawmilling leases are being rapidly converted into dairy farms.

At Wellington to-day a convention will take place under the auspices of the forward movement of the Independent Order of Rechabites. BroJ W. Stevens will represent the Hope of Carterton Tent, Bros. Treadwell and J. Andrews will represent the Masterton Tent.

The Wairampa Curio Exhibition will open in the Victoria Hall, Carterton, on Thursday week. As an indication of the value of the goods that will form the exhibition, it is worthy of mention that they will be assured for £I,OOO, and will ha guarded day and night.

The funeral of the late Mr Vivian Geary, son of Mr D. Geary, of Mas-, terton, took place yesterday afternoon, at the Masterton UemeteryJ The cortege was a large one. ous floral emblems testifying to the popularity and esteem in which the deceaecd young man was held, 1 covered the coffin.

Complimentary reference was mad§ by the Blenheim newspapers to the promptness with which the judge (Me McLeod) handed over his notes for publication, these being ready in most instances as soon as the competition was over. This also spoke volumes for the work of the shorty hand writer, Mr Marple.

Thus the New Plymouth "News"! "Can you tell me what time the next train goes to New Plymouth?" asked a pedestrian at Palmerstoh of a Government official. "My dear fellow," he replied, "1 am a Government official, and as such I am prevented from answering questions or giving any information to the public!"

Mr S. Wolfe, of Uunedin, who adjudicated at the Hastings Band Contest last year, has been appointed judge for the Wanganui Contest. It is understood that the Kaikorai Band will not compete at Wanganui. With Wellington and Kaikorai out of remarks a well-known writer of band notes, the result can easily be guessed. The usual meeting of the Master*

ton Fire Brigade was held last evening, Superintendent Jenkins being in the chair. Officers-for the competition to be held next, week were elected as follow-.—Judges, Messrs E. Brageins and C. A. Ewingtonj Starter, Mr H. Gardiner; Timekeepers, Captain Dixon and MrMer-' cer. An extra two years' service bap was granted to Fireman E. PragnelL] The Rev. E. Ward, of Taumarunui,\, told the Presbyterian Assembly at Christchurch the other day that the Maori farmer in some parts of tbe has no doubt that if the present efforts to instil into hiß mind the necessity for personal effort are con- , tinued, the Maori farmer ought to be a valuable settler. ; It cost a station near Taihape £3OO last year to clear Californian thistle.l The "Wanganui Herald"* is "of opinion that many farmers in the district do notxknow the undesirable I growth when, they see it, and suggests that the Agricultural Department might enlighten farmers on the point by sending a plant or two to> every sale yard, seed shop, and farmers' agency for exhibition, together with a few directions for eradication. One of the most strik ing at Palmerston Show on Friday was the display of ladies' hats in the grandstand, nays the "Rangitikei' Advocate." There were hats of every size and shape and hue, and the variety of fruit, flowers and featherswhich adorned them was qutte bewildering to the eye. Two visitors, mere men, attempted to estimate the cost of tbe headgear in sight, but as; their estimate varied from £3,000» to £5,000 it was evident that they/ had generalised from the price of: the hats of their respective wives.. A youth told the Auckland magis--trate that he would not care to work for a certain man, as he was said tobe a "hard doss." "Hard boss," said' Mr KeWe, S.M., "That is just what • you want. There appears to be an idea prevailing amongst the colonial' youth of the present day that they , can work when they- like. What you want my boy is discipline. That is what young man lack to-day—dis-cipline. They want a maximum of luxury for the minimum of effort,' when the best thing for them is good, hard, wholesome, honest work."

A Press Association telegram from Gisborne states that the young marV Harry Willoughby, husband of the aged Maori who was burned to death, last week, and who succeeds to something like £40,000, was before the Court yesterday morning on a charge of drunkenness on the night of the fire. He was remanded till Wednesday, the Magistrate intimar ting his intention of sending him to Pakatoa Island, Titley, for supplying Willoughby with liquor, was fined £lO. Thomas Sidney, for assisting to drink the liquor, was also fined £lO, in default two months' im-* prisonment.

Out of the 320 drawings forwarded! from the various technical schools throughout the Dominion to the Pal* merston North Show for competition,} I five were sent from the Masterton Technical School, and it is very [ gratifying to fcarn that one of the [ five received third prize in its parj ticular class and carries w;th it a certificate. This proves that ton is not behind hand with regard to the drawing talent at the technical school, considering that the work in question was in" competition with the Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland,' Pal merston! North, and other technical schouls, and also reflects credit upon the drawing instructor, Mr P. Edward Lamb, P.N.Z.1.A., who has had charge of the drawing classes for the last two seasons. The successful student was Thos. A. Gray, of, Masterton, and the subject Six Problems in Plane and Solid Geometrical Drawing.

On Saturday George W belch forwarded a challenge to Richard Araat to row for the championship of the WOTld and «200 aside. As Arnat haa hia willingness to row anywhere, he will be challenged to race atAkaroaonadate to be mutually

arranged. , ' . Not the loast arousing feature in connection with Marlborough Jubilee that was celebrated last week, is the distribution of jubilee Doatcards and envelopes bearing the inscript.on " Marlborougn • the place that beat Auckland at football. An extraordinary duel was fought between Signor Torre Pazzo, of Naples, and Signor Aniello zji Nicola, a moneylender, oi Rome. The two combatants exchanged forty revolver shots, but neither was injured. The four Beconds, however, were all wounded, ana one naa since died. "The "thing is an absolute absurdity, compiled by some brainless idiot who knows nothing about it, was the opinion expressed by a member of the Wanganui Harbour Board when referring to the examples furtiisned by the Government aa to how to draw up overtime sheets. A Press Association telegram from Auckland states that the Auckland Clerks' Industrial Union, the first ot its kind in New Zealand, has been registered with a membership of anout 40. A movement is on foot to form similar unions in Christchurch and Napier. The union is designed to embrace all classes of clerical workers, and after it has gained strength application will be made to the Arbitration Court for an award. The Court will be requested to make no distinction between sexes in awarding wages. The Unionists allege that the increased employment of girls as ledger clerks has lowered men's wages, and think that if the same wages had to be paid to both sexes . men would get the preference. It is stated that the average wage of junior clerks in Auckland is £1 5s to £1 IBs, and of ledger clerks' £2 to £2 10s. Representations was made to the JHiniater of Labour, Hon. J. A. Millar, last week to the effect that at certain flaxmills in the Manawatu the Arbitration Court award h being evaded by a system of contracting. The Minister was interviewed by the secretary of the Manawatu Flaxmill Workers' Industrial Union,*Mr Robinson, accompanied by Mr Dalhousie. The Minister promised to carefully look into the matter and consult nis colleagues so as to take prompt action. It is stated that Mr M illar added that he had not wished to disturb the Industrial Arbitration and Conciliation Act for another twelve months, but if the allegations of the deputiftinri were supported, legislation would be necessary to

mtet the case. In the village of Poistead, Sussex, stands a famous oak, which the rector, the Rev. F. J. Eld, has proved by researches among the British Museum records to be no fawtr than two thousand years "Id. It has a gitth of 36 feet, and has always been known as the Gospel Oak, from the fact that under it the first Christian missionaries preached to the heathen Saxons thirteen centuries ago. Each year this is commemorated by a special service under this historic tree, and people drive in from miles round to attend. This year's service was marred by heavy rain. The brave old oak ia venerated by the inhabitants of the village and Burroirtidi g' districts on account of its great ige, which commands respect. Evtry year it is made the object of a local pilgrimage. The Northern Bowling Associ- . ation's annual "Rii ks" and"Pairs" tournament opens in Wellington on Monday. January 10th, 1910. The rink matches will take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, January 10th, nth and 12th. Nine games of 21 heads each will be played by each team, thus ensuring a full three days' play for each rink. The winners of the sections will play I off on Thursday. The pairs tournament will commence on the same day, when five gameß of 21 heads each will be played. Entries close on 20th December instead of, as in former years, only a day or two prior to the commencement of the. tournament By the new arrangement, clubs will be in possession of the drawings soma days previous to the beginning of "the annual bowling campaign." The monthly meeting of the Directors of the Workers' Mutual Building Society was held last evening. There were present:— Meßsrs R, Krahagen, chairman, J. Prentice, J. W. Gordon, T. S. Cresswell, J. uandy, A Gardner, and A. K. Johnston. Mr R. Krahagen wms re-elected chairman, and Mr J Prentice vice-chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Easthopewas ejected directors' auditor, and Messrs Krahagen, Prentice and Ewington were appointed a valuation committed The treasurer reported that the subscriptions were, coming in very freelv in anticipation of the ballot for £3OO and sale for £3OO, which was to take place on November 18th. The credit balance in the bank stood at £1,024. It was decided to declare a further ballot of £3OO, to take «lace on the 16th December, which Lant that £1,500 would have been allocated between that date and 13th September last. One withdrawal was agreed to, and one new share allotted. It is a singular feature of Parliament that it prefers to adopt a leisurely pace for the greater portion of the session and ; then to hasten through a big programme by dint of all day and all night sittings. Apparently this is going to happen this session, for the work ahead is formidable, apart altogether from the Government measures yet to be in traduced with the object oi becoming Jaw before the House rises in December. On Wednesday the Financial Statement comes down, and it is fair to assume, says the "New Zealand Times," that the debate, starting probably a week later, will last from five to six days. The Estimates can scarcely be disposed of in less than ten days. There are twenty-four local Bills to get through, debates are inevitable upon the Police Commission and the Prime Minister's report on the Defence Conference, while the Public Works Statement must also take time for careful consideration. Reports from Select Committees are coming forward, and discussions upon these, with answers to questions, will encroach considerably upon the afternoons. An early suspension of private members' day is evidently necessary or Parliament will have very little in the shape of legislative result* to show for its session's la- - —•—-*■■--

Even though the majority of dairy farmers in the Taranaki have installed milking machines, and thus considerably lightened the labour, there is still an unsatisfied demand for youths and men to milk. The ruling rate of pay is from 13s to 20s a week for youths and from 25s to 30s a week and found for men. The Borough ranger advertises particulars of a bay gelding impounded from Lansdowne. Grills may be obtained at the Kia Ora Tea Rooms this evening from 5.30 to 7 o'clock, and supper after the display of fireworks.

In connection with the sale of- Mrs James' furniture a Lansdowne, tomorrow, Messrs J. A. J. Maclean and (Jo. wish it to be understood that on account of the extensive list the sale will commence at 12 o'clock sharp.

$ In the wanted column, Mr Jaa. Rodger, Cashel Street, Christchurch, Dominion representative of the Dixon Institute, Page-Davia school, and other educational institutes, imites those who are desirous of joining the Commercial and Mechanical Correspondence classes to communicate with him for particulars and prospectuses.

"Carriage paid Parcels'' are the subject of a replace announcement in this issue for that enterprising Wellingon firm, Messrs Veitch and Allan, whose name is synonymous with good value, and who will, on receipt of remittance, forward, carriage paid, to any address, parcels of goods of a most exclusive nature. These articles comprise everyday household requirements, are carefully selected, and very moderate in price, and country clients who are desirous of obtaining high-class quality in cutlery, Manchester, toilet sundry, and showroom godds, are in-' vited to write to Messrs Veitch and Allan's Mail Department without further delay. Mr T. Petersen, dyer and cleaner, has re commenced business in Masterton, after an'absence of some months. In this class of work Mr Petersen has few equals in the Dominion. He has a thorough knowledge of his trade, is a conscientious workman, and gives his personal attention to every order placed with him. Suits and dresses that are soiled and out of shape are cleaned and pressed, and made equal to new, whilst the most delicate silks are treated with a dry process of cleaning that is warranted not to injure the fabric in the slightest degree. Mr Petersen has consider ablv improvpd his plant during the' past month, and is now in a position to complete orders on the shortest notice.

Custom® and t orwarding Agents^—J. J, CURTIS & CO., Customhouse Quay Wellington, will clear your goods and forward to you, or you may consign goods to them, and they will forward to their ultimate destination. Moderate charges