LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9663, 30 November 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr F. W. H. Kurnmer has been reelected Chairman of the Mauriceville County Council. Rain is badly needed in gome parts of the South Wairarapa and crops are in consequence suffering. J. H. Redwood, sheepfarmer, was fined £lO with costs, at Napier, yesterday, for failing to take adequate measures to control rabbits on his property.

Footrot is stated to be fairly prevalent in some of the low-lying country of the Wairarapa. It is attributed to the trequent rains, which have kept the pastures and ground unusually wet. : At the present time thera are a number of men in this district who are anxious to obtain sheep property.' Options have been obtained over one or two properties, and the probabilities are that they will change hands. A syndicate of practical farmers are negotiating for the purchase of the Te Rangitumau Estate, and its sale will probably be recorded shortly.' For purposes of closer settlement there is no more suitable property in the Wairarapa, and the Government has been repeatedly urged to acquire it.

"Many a life, has been lost," said a speaker at the meeting of the Royal Humane Society directors, at Christchurch, last week, "by people standing up when a house is on fire and being suffocated, whereas if they kept on their hands and knees they could crawl to safety. There is often an area of fine air close to the floor.'''

A ra*»n named William Henry Miller was arrested, at 'Auckland, at 1.30 p.m., on Saturday, on a charge of theft. He was taken to the Newmarket police station, and put in a cell. At 3.10 o'clock he was! found lying on the floor, with hisi head on the corner of a woolen bench. Two doctors were sent for; but they pronounced life extinct. The public hali at Mangatainoka has been enlarged. 'The dancing fiootf is twenty feet by 50 feet. The' committee has decided to celebrate the completion ' of the additions by it plain and fanry dress ball on Ndi vember 28th. The tickets are selling freely, and the committee anticipate that the function will be a decided success. .

The export of draught horses from' New Zealand to Australia is likely tocease for some time, owing to the poor prices obtained on the other aide for recent shipments. A resident of the Masterton district, who took over a particularly fine lot of useful draughts, made a loss of some £3OQ> over the transaction, whilst others are reported to , have experienced similar losses.

Considerable business is being transacted in the Wairarapa in the; purchase of breeding ewes for for*ward delivery. One well-knowni sheepbreeder, whose remarks are*. worthy of note, expresses the opinion that in the future this district will be ncted for the production of fat lambs. Farmers are finding out that profits in Hheep raising lie in the fat lamb direction, and, as a result, their flocks in future will be largely comprised of breeding ewes.

A Wairarapa farmer, who has just returned from the Waipawa where he went to inspect sundry? properties, with a view to purchase* states that in many parts of that*, county the Californian thistle is veiy/ prevalent. Whilst travelling along at riverbed he passed through acres! of the thistle, where no apparent effort had been made to eradicate it or to prevent its spreading to adjacent properties. '

,A conference of sawmillers was held at Palmerston North last and it is now reported that the sawmilling, industry in the Wellington,, Hawke'sßay and Taranaki districts* will be in a very bad condition. It is stated that there &re very- few orders, and great difficulty is being' experienced m marketing sawn timber, resulting in all the yards being: heavily overstocked. It ia considered that most, of not all, the mills will close down in the course of a few days for the Christmas holidays. This*;" means about six weeks' compulsory holidays for, those engaged in the industry.

A New Zealand ball-punching record was established by Robert. Veitch, at Christchurch, on Friday. He commenced at 1.30 p:m. and finished at 8 p.m., apparently little! the worse for his arduous task. During the performance Veitch felt slightly footsore, but beyond that hewas not in any way fatigued. In fact* he was quite confident of being able to continue for another three hoursj Veitch is only nineteen years of age, and gave the exhibition in order to demonstrate the advantages of physical culture. A numerous committee watched the performancethroughout.

The following is the result of tha second trophy competition of the Opaki Rifle Club:-A class: Rifleman G. Hyde 82, Rifleman M. Mcintosh, 80, Rifleman A. J. Cameron 77, Captain Welch and Rifleman H Mawley 76, Rifleman W. Wmslade 74, Rifleman R, J. King and Rifle manH.Brighting 73. B class: Rifleman F. Hood 79, Rifleman C. Taylor 75, Rifleman J. Murray 68, Rifleman C. G. Monro 67. Rifleman R. Harding 66, Rifleman A. Lewin and' Rifleman W, Spring 62, Rifleman T. Evans 59. Rifleman J. Sutherland and Rifleman M. J. Fuller 48 Riflemen G. Hyde and F. Hood win the trophy for A.Jand B. class, respect! '>ely.

There have been only two bankmmtcies in Wellington since the bejgfcmnc wttlbe mouth.

Laat week 950 bales of wool and 3.328 <beep were consigned from the JFeatheraton railway station. A .b*by girl, born on the day of the recent /.earthquake, is to be jiamed"WellingtoniaEarthquakma. rFhe*e was aegwessing competition »S!to the weight of two dogs at the Wanganui Show. What next? The owners oflthe Waitara Free■aing Works expert a 40 per cent, increase in their output this season, and have made,,pr6vision accordingly.

The Government proposals for military training have given an impetus to volunteering throughout the iDominion.

The cereal crops in the FeatherBton district are looking exceptionally Wdlliatfthetpresent'tame, and promise anplentifulhharvfist. It is expected that hy Monday next liains will be running overhead between Dunedin and a point opposite the Caversham gas works. Sixteen vacanciesti&r teachers advertised bv the Wellington Education Board have . elicited 128 applications. The greatest number for one position is 19. It is stated by the a 'Mataura Enthat a Southland aeroplane intentor is now at work constructing a fulhsized machine which will be easly next year. »0n Saturday the Featherston Dairy Company -sent away 800 cases of cheese for t cbipment to, London by the lonic. The.cumpany has another 100 cases ready for consignment. Frosts and rains so seriously retarded the growth of roses in the Adhbautoii district, {statessfche "Lytlelton Times," that the, local Horti-t-oltural Society hns decided not to Stall; A £faaw thfeyjjear.

The Featherston tennis Club has appointed Messrs C. Burt, (G. Penwick and A. P. SBoydhouse bandlcappers for a handicap trophy singles match, to be played before tCnrist-

Tramway passengers in Cforistehurch, says the '<JPrfss;",are.complaining of inconsiderate cyclists who rush their machines between ,tbe trams and the kerb at stopping pfcaces to the danger of per-a^ns.entering or leaving the «ca*B. Prior to revision Qtf the railway

timetable, states a !P*ess Association telegram from Palmetfston North, there were 46 trains running in ai.d out of Palmerston daily, ffhe alter- j ation of the service whicn.comes into! effpct next month, accounts for an. j additional eight, making M. Bee-keeping as an industry may now W jegarded as firmly -established in New Zealand, having made considerable progress dvwng the past few years. The Agricultural Department has established >a queenrearing apiary at Waerengn, in air dition to the ordinary apiai&es at Ruakura and Weraroa. Mr C. Seeling, the well-*nown

"All Black" Auckland representative forward, leaves Auckland on Monday for England/where he has been engaged to play for Wigan, 4he Northern Union Club, for which L. B. an ex-Aucklander, has be#n playing for the past couple of seasons. Negotiations were commenced while Todd was in ■■ Auckland . re-' cently, and were completed by cable. I / The most hopeful sign in the trade union world is the steadily increasing number of women who are throwing themselves heart and soul into the movement of organised labour, says the "English Women Worker." It is generally recognised that in a thousand and one ways women are absolutely essential for propoganda work. It is stated by Mr Warne, secretary of t*e New York Immigration Commission, that for two years the number of unemployed unionists in New York alone has been about 200,- ' 000.'One result of the hard times has been" a decrease in the members of ' New York unions of over 35,000. In three months of last year 85 able bodied worker voluntarily placed themselves under arrest, and were confined as vagrants. Somewhat of a sensation has been

caused in shipping circles by the sua pension of two prominent officials 01 y the Railway Department engaged it wojjj on the Wanganui wharf, sayf the "Feilding Star." The matter wil foriii the subject of a departraerita inquiry. The authorities are very re tJcent on the matter, and details ol the trouble will not be available til liter the inquiry has investigatec the affair? At a meeting of farmers and graziers at Auckland, it was decided tc fnnn a Provincial Graziers anc Breeders' Association, tq take steps, if necessary, to steady the market bj 'exporting surplus stock. Mr Grey, president of the Agricultural Association, stated that the low prices ol the past few months had become monotonous. It was neceasary foi 3,000 to. 5,000 head of cattle to be exported yearly before theie woulc 1 be anv buoyancy in the market. II •was also decided to request auctioneers to sell cattle by live weight. Keen competition is expected a 1 the Wellington wool sales, which will open at 9 a.m. on Friday next, There will be offered from 9,500 tc 10,000 bales of wool by Mews Dal gety and Co., Levin and Co., Murray, Roberts and Co.. Abraham ant Williams, and the New Zealand Loar and Mercantile Co. Brokers are somewhat inconvenienced by the ar rival of the wool with a rush, it having been kept back by rain and uthei causes. However, everything is ex pected to be in readiness for buyers valuations. Prices, according to the present outlook, are expected to be on a parity with those of last sale ; even if there is not a slight advance. Outbreaks of diphtheria in households have frequently been attributec to disease among fowls and to dirtj fowl runs, and there are cases on re ' cord where, when fowls were dying in numbers, diphtheria was very pre valent among children and others A case has ju«t come to light ir Southland, where a pet paroquet wat apparently responsible for the com municating of the germs of diphtheria to a young woman. The paroque 1 was noticed to be gasping for breath, and had a whitish from about the open beak. The young woman handled the paroquet frequently until the bird died a few days later, and three days afterwards she herself experienced a sore throat, and in nine days waa found to be suffering from a mild form of diphtheria.

To-dav (St. Andrew'B Day) will be observed as a piaWic holiday by the Government offices and the bariks throughout New Zeailamd.

A man was arrested at Eketahuna yesterday on a charge of stalling a bicycle at Maryborough on Sunday morning last. The school gardens at the Te'Ore Ore and Lansdowiae Schools are in a very forward state for this time of the year, the crop of potatoes at Lansdowne Jodldng healthy.

Three well-known llocal pedestrians, Messrs E. McKetrize, J. Berry and J. Johnson, have entered for the running events at the "Foxtdn Carnival, which as 'to ibe held this week

There is apparentily>a much smaller area of grass being kept If or hay this season aroanfl Masterton than in previous years. The hay making season is expected to be inifull •swing next week, eeverrJ of the crops 'having been cut already. Tares are reported to 'be very numerous in some ot the crops around Mastertoß, and ;in consequence several farmers are contemplating making hav of the portion of their crops that will be unfit for harvesting on account -of the ipest.

Mr T. E. Taylor *ays he has received a letter from -the -secretary of the Tobacco Distributing Association, pointing out that the 'primage duty on tobacco, on the basis of last year's importations, would be £3,617, wtoi'le the proposed 1\ per cent, surtax would amount to £13,202.

A GSatgw doctor «w*o -recentSy made a holiday tour of New Zealand was so impressed with the beauties and prosperity of the country fthat he has since arranged to -sell his practice and settle in tfhe Dominion:; and not only that, but he has induced a landowner friend to foWow his example. The two gentlemen {referred to are expected to arrive an New Zealand from Scotland at an .early date.

The Matron of the Masterton Hospital desires to return thanks for the following donations:—Magazines from Mrs M. Caselberg, illustrated* papers from Mr Rothenberg, plants from Mr Gordon Russell, da*ifias from Mrs H H. Beetbam and Mr Easthope, plants from Mrs Harschberg and Mr Thos. Dixon, cut flowers from Mrs J. B. Keith and Mrs HoJloway. The Matron will be very plessed to receive donations of old linen.'

The cantata-operetta "The Egyptian Princess," is being rehearsed,

Und Will be staged in the Town Hall. ' The music is by Dr Charles Vincent, and libretto by, Jeanid Quinton Rosse. The music is of a bright character, and the story is both infeevesting and humorous. Mr H S Oaughton, L.T.C.L., who is musical director and stage manager, will produce the work in February next. A fire occurred at Featherston yesterday IB the premises of M. Lust, (tailor (owned by E. M. Snun -

ders), and Waters (baker) being totally destroyed. Saunders and Co 's premise* were just saved. The loss is heavy in both cases. The insurances were as follow:—Lust, £2OO on stock; Saunders, £175 on buildingWaters, none on furniture, the insurance on stock not being ascer-

tainable. The building was owned by Waters., Another large audience attended at the Foresters' Hall last night to witness the Thompson-—Payne Pictores, when the current programme was presented for the second time, a.vi by unstinted applause they showed their full appreciation. The new 15 horse power gas engine that is being installed to drive tshe dynamo to supply the el ctric light will be used for the first time at Wednesday evenings change of programme, and patrons can be assured of seeing this fine entertainment to still better advan - tage.

The programme announced for Mr T. C. Webb'a organ recital on Thurs day next should attract a large audi; eiicp. Besides some fine pieces to be rendered by Mr Webb, the choir will sing two popular anthems, one of these being MaunderV celebrated composition "Praisu the Lord." Miss P. Cameron will play Raff's "Cavatina," Mis<* J. McGregor, will sing two songs—"Abide With Me" and '"The Refuge of the 50u1,," ano Mr R. J.Young will render "Dream of Paradies. Mr Purcell Webb will act as accompanist. Tickets may be obtained at Messrs McLeod and Young's ! or from members of the choir. Some of the Chinese fruiterers of Masterton appear to be developing methods that are not in accordance with either public health or commercial morality. Mr John Cameron; • secretary of the Anti-Chinese League, Who is at present visiting Masterton, paid a visit, with ore or two others, to__J. e vej3l fr9# shops kept by Cliihlse" yesterday. In one instance the fruit purchased was rOlten, v and Mr Cairns, the Sanitary ' Inspector, condemned certain fruit in the shop as unfit for human consumption. In another case "light weight" was stronly in evidence. The purchase, in the latter case, was a peck of peas, which was more than two pounds under weight. A similar purchase was made from a European fruiterer, and it is satisfactory to learti that slightly over the proper weight was given. A further purchase made in the shop of another Chinese was of a satisfactory character.

Two pugilists; Joe Grimm and J Kelly, met on Saturday week, at Brisbane, for a purse of £BO. Mr W. Flanagan acted as referee. In the second round, as Grirnm endeavoured to deliver some close half arm blows to the body, Kelly hung on to him. The referee broke them apart, and apparently said something to Grimm, for the latter turned suddenly from his opponent and shaped up to the referee. Changing his mind, however, he ceased this hostile demonstration, and returned tc Kelly, whom he attacked viciously. Kelly was driven to the ropes, where he clinched. Kelly's seconds shouted "Foul!" as Grimm continued to strike Kellv, who slipped to the ground. The referee, ordering the men to their corners, said, "I disqualify Grimm for fouling, and declare Kelly the winner." There was a good deal of shouting at this stage, which increased to an uproar as Grimm turned suddenly upon the referee and struck him several timea. Kelly at once began to belabour Grimm, and their seconds joined in the melee. For a brief space of time matters were lively, until the police separated and quietened the excited I individuals.

At a meeting of the iFire Brigade, last evening, it was decided to invite the Fire Police (through Captain Dixon) to meet the 'Brigade on Thursday evening, for the (purpose of discussing matters of importance, to'both corps in connection with the new Fire Station

THie usual of Endeavour 'Lodge, H.0.G.T., was held last evening, Bro. Morm occupying the ■ Chair. Kout ; ne business was transacted, after which a nail driving comiptftition was held for the Sisters, and resulted in Sister F. Miller being 'first, and Sister Flanagan second. In the sewing competition for Brothers, IBro. Morris was first and Bro. McAuley second. It is astonishing to find that the •men employed bby the Christchureh I' Gity» council on the work of renum'bering the stieets are meeting with • objections by who have a superstitious dislike to number thirteen, and it is reported that in one in stance a householder resolutely declinedrto have that number pluced on (his dwelling as arguments were of no avail it was decided to allot numiber 15 to his premises, a n d the str?et in wfaieh he lives will be notable for ithe f 'fact that thare will be no number 13 in ir.

For -some time past it has been •noticed-that some disease was attacking the plane tree-s that have been planted in the streets and reserves of •Palmerston Nortl. .'Some of the trees have been entirely sstripped of foliiage. The disease is supposed to be caused by the inroads of a parasite, and the aid of the Government biollogiatiis being invoked to discover a natural enemy of the pest. A row of shapely plane trees, which added greatly tto the arboKii beauty of the Square, are amongst the latest ito be attacked, but itfc is hopel they vmM be-saved from destruction.

A young man, a resident of Timaru, Who recently returned home from •» Visit to England, had some Tanetwiitftole experiences <in his quest tf-or employment in Lorndo". The Timaru "*Post" states that for four months be tramped froan place to place seeking in vain, Rising at 5 o''ik)ck -in the morning, to :read the "Wanteds" in the daily newspapers. On one occasion he saw -an advertisement inserted by a firm (requiring a blacksmith's striker, an<S hastened in the direction of the establishment, to find the *rt»eet occupied bj a crowd of two thousaifd on the same errand as himself.

Mr J. L. Mfcttray has a vacs-oey for a s rart boy. An advertiserirequires an experienced general servant. Particulars oif a cow and horse impounded in the Bksterton Pound will be found on pag« 1 of this issue. Mr W. H. -Cruickshank, land agent, Maaterton, advertises pa*"' ticulars of several first-class towra country properties which ha»e been placed in his hands for sale. Mr W. L. Joy has special facilities for taking childfl&n's photograph* and particular attention is given to this class of work. Mr Joy's studio i« situated in the Exchange Buildings.

Mr W. Home inserts a /notice o| apology to those whom he was unable to attend to on Saturday evening. Provision has been made to obviate a recurrence of delays in attention to customer^.

Meesrs McGruer and Co., drapers of Queen Stnet, are making a special offer in their mercery and clothing department. The prices in a number of lines are quoted in the firm's advertisement

Swimmers and those anxious U learn will be interested in Murray's announcement on another pagf. ''How to learn swimming" ought 11 attract the non-swimmer, and the spcial water wings and display of costumes and caps will be of special interest at the present time.

An excellent programme has been drawn up for the concert i-i the Town Hall on Thursday evening. Lovers of music are being well catered for, and the pro?rfimme should give pleasure,to the most fastidious. The proceeds of the concert will go in aid of the Salvat'on Army.

The drapery and grocery business suecessfuly conducted in Mast»rton for some ypars past by Mr W. Charman has been purchased by Messrs Wat3pn and Co.. who have entered into possession. Undtr the new proprietorship the business will be run in the game excellent lines that has :haracterised it in the p»st. Mr Watson, fop many years, was proprietor of one of the leading busilessses in Woodville, comes to Mas ;2rton with the very best credentials, ind under his guidance the local justness will doubtless continue to ixpanJ." Ths drapery and clothiiig Woartmefit Will cuntfiiUS Ulickr COir,rol of Mr Webb, who is well and "avourably known to the community >f Masterton. On Wednesday a sale vill be opened of drapery and clothng, and residents are promised something unusual in the way of low jrices. The stock is known to bo veil select.'d, fresh, and up to-date n every particular, and comprises joods that are warranted to .give :he best satisfaction to the pur ihasers. An insat will be circulated with tomorrow's issue of the Age jiving full details of the sale, and ■he prices quoted therein should Drove interesting to those in search >f exceptional value for money.

The piano was invented in Ttaly some 430 years ago and was then a very crude affair, not at all like—either in tone, touch or appearance—the beautiful instruments with which we are now familiar. It is difficult to say where the bast pianos are made; indeed, thero ! s not much to choose between the productions of the best German or English manufacturers. The selection of a piano is pretty much a question of individual taste and requirement. There are so many makers, so many prices and quali ties which a purchaser must consider, I tbat it is always advisable to consult a I reliable firm of sre;jalists, preferably a firm with a good reputation, a thorough knowledge of the business, and a large | stock to select from. Purchase your piano from the Dresden Piano Company, Ltd. They are to be depejided upon in all these respects. Time payments from 20s monthly. Local representatives: Inns and Goddard, next Club Hotel, i Masterton.*

When winter's cold bloufc Is afeared by all tongues, | ACACIAN BALSAM is Best for the lungs. Take a dose now and then, remedy's sure, For coughing, if left, is Not easy to cure. Barracloufih'e Aeftcian Lung Balsam; 1/1