LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9670, 8 December 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Blight has made its appearance iu ;he potato crops in the Pahiatua dis;rict.

Sydney sports are subscribing money to match Pearce, of that city, against Arnst for the sculling championship of the world. A general meeting of members of the Masterton Amateur -Theatrical Society will be h*ld on Friday evening in the Exchange Hall. Owing to the new train arrangements the meeting of the Masterton Hospital Trustees will in future take place at 12 o'clock instead of halfpast ten.

It is expscted a big trade in Wellington Ftud sheep will be done with the Waikato this season. Mr E. Short alone has forwarded orders for 2000 Romneys.

A maeting of the Masterton Amateur Swimming Club will be h;ld this evening to discuss the question of holdine a carnival at the Park Lake on Anniversary Day.

A lady resident of Wanganui has just completed a fast of 81 days, her only sustenance being fruit juice occasionally and water. She was a sufferer from rheumatism, but it is reported that she is completely cured and is in good health otherwise. A Forester has lately died in Wellington who joined the Order in 1885, and it has since paid to and for him sick pay £340 10s; benevolent grants, £299 6d, conributions £l3 13s 2d, funeral allowance £SO, making a total of £703 12s Bd. At a meeting of Lutheran clergymen at Dannevirke, Pastor Ries reported that he had arranged for two ministers to come out to the colonies, and this was approved. It was also decided to endeavour to secure the services of two more clergymen for New Zealand.

In acccordance with a request from a large number of Masterton residents, Mr J. Cameron, Secretary for the Anti-Asiatic League, will deliver an address on the Chinese question from the balcony of the Wairarapa Age office on Saturday evening next, at 8 o'clock. .

The trophy presented by Messrs J. Meyers and Co. to the Carterton Gun Club fir competition is a E.P. table gong, bell design, and mounted on polished oak, being handsomely finished. The members of the Club will compete for this tropby next month.

It Is persistently rumoured that the High Commissioner (the Hon. W. Hall-Jones) will probably resign his office and return to New Zealand in the course of a few months. It is suggested that he will then probably be appointed to the Legislative Council. Mr Hall-Jones' health has not been good in London, and it is pro ■ bable that the New Zealand climate would agree with him better. The concert that is being arranged by the Masterton Rifle Volunteers in aid of the Drill Hall Extension Fund, and eventuates this evening, gives every promise of being a: thoroughly enjoyable one. . One of the most interesting items of the evening will be an assault at arms, while exhibitions will be given in physical drill, bayonet fighting and bayonet exercises. Then there is to be a comedy sketch entitled "Fun in the Kitchen," which, as is name implies, promises to provide lots of fun for the audience.. Musical selections will be rendered by the Masterton Battalion Band. The entire programme is under the direction of Mr G. C. Branson.

"Referring to the nine million acres of "sham" national endowments, Mr Massey, speaking in the House last night, said:—"There could be no greater land monopolists than the present Government. Hardly a day passed, he said/ without his receiving a protest from would-be settlers, in regard to the fact that these lands could not be taken up, except under the renewabl< laase. He declared that these, lands would never be taken up unless the optional tenure was granted and when th« '/»"d Bill got into committee he would move p motion in that dirtWiou. Mr Witty: Perhaps not, but I will put my view on record. I have no doubt that if the present Govern me* t continued in office until next general elec.tion, they will introduce a bill em"bodyina what 1 ann now advocating."

During the "f his speech in the House on t l e Laz-d for Settlement Bill, Mr Hose, (Masterton). asked if any com try mcnhr would dare to support Clause 24 and then fare his constituents. A more dangerous clause he had never seen. Under it every small f nrmer from Eketatmna to Fentherston and from the Tararuas to the coa«t would be in a state of constant anxiety lest his little farm should be taken from hirr.. Tnese were a most deserving class of settlers, people that none would wish to molest. Fie had every sympathy with the workers, many of whom were landless but even the workers would not wish to take away the farms of these people, on which many of them had lived all their lives, and which ought to be protected. If he supported the clause he would not be able to look these farmers in the face apain. A proposal to cut up thp small farms was not necessary in this country. ,

Hay-making is in full swing in the Carterton district.

The shareholders in the South Taranaki Winter Show Company now number 160.

A scarcity of milkers is being experienced by dairy farmers in Hawke's Bay. The demand is greater than usual at this time of the year.

A movement i 9 in progress—andhas practically reached consummation —for the establishment of a third Mas >«ic Lodge in Palmerston North. It is supported by 25 members, and is to be known as Lodge Huia. Bro. J. T. Pawson will be the first W.M of the new lodge. There are half-a-dozen men, who arrived from England by the Papanui, yesterday morning, who should not have difficulty in obtaining work. They are miners. Amongst the other passengers are four farmers, three farm labourers, six domestics, one housekeeper, and half-a-dozen carpenters. On the motion of Or Pauling at the Borough Council meeting last evening, it was decided that a permanent Abattoir Committee be established,, consisting of the mover and Crs Ewington, Temple and Morris, to report on the general work of the Abattoir.

The Borough Engineer submitted to the Councjl meeting last evening a sample of English ryegrass which had been grown at the sewage farm. Councillors generally agreed that the sample was a particularly fine one, and that the crop would afford a considerable saving to the Council.

One hundred and fifty-two passengers, mostly in the third-class, ar- ! rived from England by the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Papanui, yesterday morning. Of this number 45 weie assisted passengers(l7 women, 9 men and 19 children), 24 were nominated by relatives (10 adults and 14 children), and 21 men, approved by the High Commissioner (16 adults and 5 children). At the New Plymouth Show a distressing incident occurred. A lady wearing a summer costume was. strolling across the ground when the back of her skirt suddenly burst into* flame, caused evidently by a lighted match carelessly, thrown down by a smoker. Several gentlemen rushed to the rescue, and by rolling the lady on the grass the fire was soon extinguished. Fortunately, says the "News," the lady was not burned,, though she received a severe shock* The dress, of course, was ruined The following is the statement ofr the Treasurer's balances of the Masterton Borough as at November 25thj: —Bank overdraft, £3,774 5s Id. Accounts in credit: Gasworks, £B6o' ls7d; Library, £54 17s sd; Deposit. £359 10s; Tarmac, £52 10s 9dy Hosking Baths, £391 12s Sd; Waterworks, £543 Is lid; Abattoir, £331 ' 12s lOd; Special Drainage, £lll 14s; Bannister Street, £52 13s 8d; Loan £25.000, £4O 0s 3d. The total indebtedness on general account is £6.572 0s Bd. Arrears of rates Aprill Ist, 1909, £440 5s 2d; rate made June 20th, 1909, £9,526 15s 3d; amount collected, £4,774 2s 2d; unpaid, £5,192, 18s 3d. A notable addition has just been* made to the public library in Palmar* aton North, in the shape of a collection of over 200 books dealing with New Zealand. They were secured for £BO from Mr H, Pi ides, of WiUington, and include many old editions and rare impression of the' early literature of the Dominion. They go back to the first twenty years of last century, such works being included as Nicholas' "Narrative of a Voyage to New Zealand," two volumes published in 1817, ,and a "Journal of Ten Months* Residence in New Zealand." issued in 1823. The collection is representative of the whole historic and descriptive literature of the Dominion, and is regarded as of great value. The special committee of the 1 Borough Council appointed to report upon the application of Mr. Hugh . Wilson ior a continuance of the agreement for pig killing at the Borough Abattoir submitted the following recomm ndation to the meeting of the Council last evening:— "Tnat an agreement be entered into with Mr Hugh Wilson and the Council so as to provide for the killing of his pigs at the rate of Is 8d per carcase, and that Mr Wilson put at least; 1,000 pigs through the Abattoir during the currency of the agreement, the agreement to be for a period! of twelve months to date from the 14th of October last and subject to. Mr Hugh Wilson providing all necessary labour for unloading and loading, and subject further to the; execution of an agreement of a. form to the approval of the. Towr* Clerk " The recommendation was: adopted by the Council. The annual social of the Woman sChristian Temperance Union was heldi in Knox Hall yesterday afternoon, when a very > enjoyable time was spent. The secretary, Mrs D'Ewes,. read the annual report, which was of

a satisfactory nature, several new branches of the Union work having been opened up. The main feature of the afternoon was a most interesting address by Mrs Tai Te Tau, on her recent tour through Jihe. pahs uf the Hawke's Bay and GiSborne districts. In conjunction with Miss Powell, organising secretary, and Miss Stirling, a serie3 of successful meetings were held. A number of the Maoris signed the pledge, and branches of the Union were formed at many of the pahs. Mrs Te Taut said she was much impressed with the need of temperance workers among; the Maoris, and recognised that temperance is the first step towards a higher and nobler life. Short addresses were delivered by the Rev.j A. Hodge and Adjutant Green. A recitation was given in a pleasing manner by Miss Logan. One member "as initiated. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the Union on the first Tuesday of February.

Messrs J. A. J. Maclean and C 0.,! acting under instructions from Messrs <J. T. Midlane and Co., of Wellington, will offier for at their mart, on Saturday. December 11th, a large consignment of superior furniture,' particulars of which appear on page 8 of this issue,

Special lines included in the sale of drapery, and clothing to-day at Messrs Watson and Co.'s sale (late Charman's) are ladies' and children's? summer vests, men's, ladies, and maids bathing suits, and lace curtains. Specially low prices will be marked on these goods to-day.

A seven-roomed furnished house la advertised to let. MrC. Blake, of the Waingawa, warns people against trespassing on his property. Mr D. G. Brown, of the "Nimrod" cycle works, has an advertisement in another column which is of decided interest to cyclists generally. Messrs Gillepsie and Co. are advertising for a family to mslk 50 good cows on shares, with a prospect of from 80 to 100 next season if the family prove suitable. Mr J. ft.itcn9.ier, bootmaker, will remove into premises recently occupied by Messrs Inns and Goddard tomorrow. He will open in the new pramises wi:h a large stock of high«lass footwear.

"Domes of Silence" are invisible castors of diamond-hardened steel, which can be fitted to any chair or table in a moment. Messrs Scoullar and Co.. Ltd., Wellington, are sole agents.

A present that is always appreciated by the recipient is a photograhic hampar, for there is no other paatime which gives more pleasure than photography. Complete outfits at all prices are obtainable from Mr J V. Gordon, chemist, Masterton. The Alos Hair Restorer makes the Jiair grow thick and beautiful. It is purely a herbal remedy, containing jdo grease oils, dyes or colouring matter of any kind. It is manufactured by Mr Davies, hair specialist, Auckland. In another column testimonials are published from ladies who have used it, in which every satisfaction is expressed with results achieved.

Mr Michael George, draper, clothier and fancy goods dealer, has opened in business in Masterton in premises recently occupied by Mr W, Home. He baa a well-selected stock of serviceable goods, which he intends to offer at reasonable prices. Farther consignments will come to hmi witnin the next few weeks, in completion of an indent order from Home. Mr George should receive a fair share of public patronage.