LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9672, 21 December 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Sank holidays will be observed on Saturday (Christmas Day), also on the following Monday and Tuesday. New Year's Day, and Monday, January 3rd. A sawmill, owned by Murrell and iCox, at Managhao River was destroyed by fir& early on Sunday morning together. with a small quantity of timber. The Auckland "Star's" Taupo cor--respondent telegraphs"There was a magnificent outburst of Ngauruhoe volcano at 7 o'clock A huge column of ashes and smuke was ejected about three thousand feet; £he yolchiw is now pouring out huge. Volumes of atefirn and aßh,€St'Ji A special meeting of the Genefal Committee of the Wairarapa Amateur "Swi naming Club was held last evenihg, Mr E. R. 3. Daniel presiding. The matter of the dato for holding the forthcoming swimming carnival was discussed,, and it was eventually decided to observe Monday/January 24th, for the event. The importance of the postcript was illustrated in a Sydney court on Monday. The defendant, a school teacher, had written, "My only desire is to get enough gilt to enable me to marry my darling Fat By. P.S. —There is a breach of promise in this." There was* The jury gave a yerd.ictof "A"matter for <iongra<iilation," stated Superintendent Jenkins in his report to th§ Mastertgn Fir§ Board yesterday, "1§ the Marked in the alarms and fire losb for the 'half-year^just ended as I with the corresponding fllsida of pre- j vious years, the figures this ye&r being-Alarms, 8; fire loss. £430. | The figures for the period last year were: —Alarms, 22; fire loss, «£1,787,' i The following handicaps have been ; declared for the 75 yards handicap j bwimmmg race to be swum,on the; Park Lake on Thursday evening j next at half-past six o'clock:—First heat: J. McLaren, H. Bridge, L; Carmine, scr; P. Phillips* 3st;cj J u I Winchester, 4sec.. Second 'beati D. ! McLean, 4sec; F, Ball/ 6sec; B. | Waddlngton, 6sec; W. Darv ill, 6 | sec; T. Byfri,' 7sec. Third heat: A., Donald, 7sec; A. Callister, 7sec; M. Iggulden, 9sec; H. Keisenberg, 9sec; A. Iggulden, Usee. .Fourth heat: D. Donald, 13sec? L. Dudson, 13sec; L. Kyle, 13sec; B. Syveston, 13sec; E. Ellis, 15sec; H. William, 15sec.

The usual meeting of Endeavour Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held last evening. Bro. Morris, C.T., being in the chair. Routine business was transacted. Season's greetings were received from Anchor of Hope and West Pioneer Lodges, and Bro. Thomson, G.C., and Sis. Thorne, G. Chap, A recess was then granted to entertain the Hope of Masterton Juveniles. During the evening recitations were given by Lillian Pember, Mary Mc* Kenzie, Lucy McKenzie, Willie Morris, Howard Devonport and short addresses by Broß. Morris, C. T. Threadwell, C. Anderson, Gilbert and Sis. Devonport, Sis. Miller. A riddle competition was won by Sis. Devonport. A meeting of the executive of the Hawke's Bay branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation at Hastings last week passed the following resolutions, an 1 directed them to be forwarded to too Premier:-—l. "That, on account of the attitude of the present Government being inimical to the interest of people and the original platform of the Liberal [ and Labour Federation, tne Hawke's 1 Bay branch of the said federation is now dissolved. 2 That ag independent Liberal organisation be formed in. Hawke's Bay with the latter object in view." The leasehold party in Parliament has been communicated with. Preaching at Westminster Abbey recently in support of the Queen Victoria Clergy Fund, the Bishop of Chichester made a strong appeal on behalf of the clergy. Of 14,000 livings, so-called, of the Church, more than 6,000. said the bishop, were worth less than £2OO a year, and upwards of 1,500 were worth Jess than £l5O a year. The only remedy was to enlmt the sympathy of the laity. He thanked God there was a change coming, aiid hoped 'it wou'ld add to the livingb, which really ought to be called "starvings." There must be on such thingb as sweating the clergy of the Church.

A boy named Jacob Matthews,', eleven years of age, son of Chas.] Matthews settler, Pongarda, had an epileptic fit on Sunday night, and died an hour later. He never regained consciousness. The Coroner decided! that no inquest was necessary. A Suffolk couple named StannardL recently celebrated their diamond wedding at Brookford. Mr Stannard is 84 years of age, and his wife 82. The latter, who recalls eating barley bread in her childhood when wheat was a guinea a bushel, recently harvested a crop of wheat from a small plot which she seeded herself, hei£ husband being unable to work. It is reported from Melbourne that a box of chocolates was posted at the Forbes Po«t Office, addressed "Kenneth Grant, Forbes." The box broke, and a postal assistant and a boy took one each. They were taken ill, and were sent to the hospital suffering from strychnine poisoning, but are now all right. The box contained a slip, "Can you guess who sent yo» this, Kenr»eth?"' The police are vestigating the matter.

"A lot of people," says Mr Frank Coffey, who has just arrived at Sydney from Vancouver, "would like to know something about the great Treadwell mine in Alaska, where there is a 1,200 head stamper, and!' where 1,300 men are employed."" Three men, MrCoffey.saya, are killed' there weekly on the average. Th& gold only-realises 10s 6d an ounce* which yields a net profit of 4s Bd,, 1 the difference being the outlay for production and treatment/ In connection with a chargeagainst a driver of a motor-car, off refusing to stop when required by a constable and give his name, occa«, pation, and address, evidence waft' given in the Wellington Court by a policeman that he signalled to thffi driver to p ill up by holding up hto hand. The Magistrate held that this* simple signal was sufficient. He intimated that a driver was reqired to submit his name, address, etc., when demanded by the constable. The defendant was convicted and fined 2Ds4

One of the most important develop*merits in education in New South* Wales, says the "Daily Telegraph,'" is that in connection with the school! garden plot, which rot only forms field for Nature-study, but affords op--portunity for studying the principles underlying scientific agriculture. The Department of Public Instrtic* tion has arranged to ever® school with a selection flower, and vegetable seeds;; ificJdiding grasses, covers, comarid othter cereals, kale, rrlillst. musterd/ to- ! bacco, peanuts, saltbush, an&tt>seoEe' !of other pl.ante. . The plied will.not exceed one dozep ppc&< ets each of flower and vegetable [ seeds and t«v<? dosen packets ofifarmi seeds, •• '• • , «4 I fairila praiseworthy are being made in London id minimise the tipping system a movement has been started in Berlin to matce the custom,compulsory. The cate waiters in the kaiser's capital have iforiftecl themselves into a union with the object of legalising tipping. They have drawn up a scale of tips, and passed, resolutions to enforce it. ~r l £ order a customer gives in a restaur—ar*t amounts to 3s he will ba expected to tip the waiter to the t«ntf of 12 per cent. If the order is over3s, the "kellner" will be content' with a tip of 10 per cent. larger restaurants the waiter will be' satisfied with a modest 8 per cefit.tip If the bill amounts to £5. The* restaurant-keepers protest f his tariff of ti|»s, Jsoiefi" tljey Consider will interfere with their business, bat the waiters refuse to, giva "way* ,■ , -....•>;

Ih the Supreme Court, Wellingtons on Saturday. JudgeChapmmu aittijiif? in banco, in tlfe case between Frederick John Dillon,' Matarawa, settler, plaintiff, and Jesse James Hills, Stratford, settler, and Daigety and Co., Ltd., stock and station agents, defendants. Plaintiff Dillon entered into an agreement to exchange certain land at and take a lease "of land kama. Afterwards, Hills wqntGEfita* put in certain conditions not sjxanfled < at the time, and Dillon, solicitor, gave notice to yosqndithe • agreement. The/summons was to decide > whether tße rescission, was. binding. The Court held that the? remission was valid ; apart from,,that it was doubtful whether the contract was 1 binding. J>iHon< was* awarded costs £ls (to be paid by Hills), and Dalgtty and Co. costs £?:. 7a (to be paid by l)Hon)i. Mr H. C... Kobinson appeared for plaintiff, and' Mr A. Gray, with Mm Mr H. 8... Coopsr, of Palmeraton North, for Hills, and Mr D. K. Logan foeDalgety and Co. The quarterly meeting oi the Masterton Fire Board was held yesterday* afternoon. There were present,— Messrs 0. Pragnell (chairman); J.. Prentice, R. M. Simpson, U. Pearce, J. H. Pauling, and J. C, Ewington. An apology for absence was received from Mr H. E. Kempthorne, A sub-committee was instructed to call fresh tenders for fira wells. Designs were received from the local architects in connection.with the erection of. the new fire station, and th 3 secretary > was::in-*~ structed to forward them to Inspector Hugo, asking him for a report and a recommendation. It was decided to call a special meeting of' the Board on receipt of the Inspector's report, at a time to suit the convenience of the Wellington members. It was also resolved to consider the question of the amount of term and loan in connection with the new building scheme at the special meeting. "I have to report, consequent no. doubt on the setting in of the dry weather," stated Superintendent: Jenkins in. his report to the Ma'sterton Fire Board meeting yesterday,, "a perceptible drop of the water pressure in the Borough mains. The register taken at. the fire station frequently showing 25, 30, and in one case lOlbs to the square inch, but in the latter case I understand it was accounted for by the reservoir being cleaned out. On December Ist, atthe request o? the County Council official, I tested the recently installed high pressure water supply at Lansdowne, the average pressure being 60 to 701bs to the square inch; but as I understand that a considerable number of services have still to be connected, and - further as three inch mains are the largest used in the scheme, . the available pressure in case of an outhreak of fire will be considerably reduced."

Eighty trucks of sheep will leave the Masterton Railway Station today for the Gear Company's works at ketone. The new programme at the Foresters' Hall drew another large audience last night, when this line performance was further supplemented by some first class subjects, notable among which was "A City Waif's Success,*'a story of slum life, from Bn incident which really occurred. "Coffee Cultivation" is a fine industrial subject, n'nd is well worth seeing. To-nipM another subject will be introduced entitled "Only a Tramp." Special arrangements are being made for Christmas afternoon and night, the usual change ot programme being submitted. Mr F. P. Welch advertises for sale several bargains io farm and sheep runs. Tl ese are a selected lot, and are strongly recommended by district: representatives. Mr G. H. Block ley, of the "Paragon" furniture works is making a special display on Christmas Eve. When he announces that three black crows will be on "view. Christmas greetings are to hand from the Masterton Farmers' Implement Company in the form of a decidedly neat and serviceable leather pocket book, pencil and note book combined. Christmas poultry, ducks, geeje, turkeys, table poultry, hams and bacon, can be secured at Messrs J. A. J. Maclean and Co.'s Christmas poultry sale to be Held at their rooms at two o'clock to-morrow. The selection of toilet requisites at Piank Dupre's is the best in the district. Splendid presentation goods, handsome as well as useful. You &re invited to look over the stock, and you will not be pressed to buy.Advt. At the auction,;sale on Wednesday of Mrs J. Hooper's household furniture a piano by the London Piano Company will also be sold. The instrument is practically new, and will be sold without reserve. . Mr E.~R. Wilson announces that Ais dental chambers will be closed from December 25th to 28th, and open from 29th to 31st. The chambers will also be closed from January Ist to 4th, re-open mg on Januai) 5tU Jdr M. George, draper and clothier, Queen street, Masterton, has decided to relinquish the drapery portion of his business, and in ; order to clear the. gnods now in stock bite marked them down to very low prices. The .drapery was imported for this season's trade, and is of firßt-class • quality. Mies t!. Rigg, who is recognised ■ na a capable milliner and'first-class saleswoman, will take charge of tha showroom at Messrs MrGruer and Co'a Masterton branch in the future. Miss Rjgg is well-known in Mastertop and district, anil under her supervision the department over which she bas now control will doubtless prove a thoroughly sucessful one. A Christinas present is more appreciated when it has been selected with a view to ptiliiy. At Messrs ii. Jh. Jt J.asl« ,n and Ca . l nian, Ferry Street, Masterton, numerous lines are on offer, which form admir- > able presents. Apart froip the splendidjassortment of superior, household furniture, there are excellent disDlaya of enamelware, crockery, pots, pans, hams and bacon, as well as articles suitable as gifts for children, auch m fair? &.9? soß t • < ~ With the advent of fao« Wfeftther the Mastettcn Corporation Gas Departing are ttff&Hitf mry inducement W' Jrealdehta Ift instal gas-cookers, these m fcl ean and easily handled, Saving '& lot of labour and worry to thfe housewife, besides being econotaical. ''The Onager, Mr Blackman, dr his assistants, will give every information as to cost of installation And instruction will be given to work the stoves. Those desirous of having Christmas presents engraved can rely on >getting satisfaction if they place their orders with Messrs D. Walsh and CO. Mr Walsh is an expert manufacturing jeweller and engraver, capable of doing high class work. In bis Queen street, premises he bas an excellent stock qf articles well suited for Christmas presents, which arts to t» sold at very reasonable rates. Tho firm has also a very fine assortment of gems, fluch as diamonds, sapphires, rabies, etc., and persons ha\ing old gold Which they Would like made up into rings or other jewellery are invited to get a price from the firm

before purchasing elsewhere.^ Nothing ia so delightful on a summer'B day as to unpack one's hamper in a fern-clad gully, and enjoy the novelty of taking dinner in the bush. Such an opportunity will be afforded on Boxing Day at the Friendly Societies' Picnic. Novel and amusing races Will be run for the youngsters, while for the ladies, girls, men and' boys races will be run. The Masterton South Band will render music on the grounds all day, while an energetic committee will be on hand to carry out the various itema to make the day a success. Hot water and fresh milk Will be provided. A refreshment stall will also be on the grounds, at which light refreshments will be dispensed at town prices. 'lo-morrow night, at the Y.M.C.A., the medals recently won by the members of the Physical Culture Class will be presented by Mr P. L. Holdings. There are eight silver and gold centred medals, and two gold medals, the gold medals being the gi*t of Mr Boilings, whose deep interest in the YM.C.A. is well-known. The medal? are on view at the premises of Mr Scott, from whom they were obtained. Followng the presentation Br N. Prior will deliver a lecture to the members of the Y.M.C A. life saving class on "The Theory of Cir-1 culation, Respiration and Resuscitation." The lecture will be open to ' all, and the Masterton Ladies' and Wairarapa Swimming Clubs have been invited. This lecture is a part;of the course of instruction to which members are expected to apply themselves. The Y.M.C.A. class have so far done well, and have practically completed their class work, whilst their water work is near the standard required for passing at least the examination for the Royal Life having Society's proficiency certificate. the members are preparing for the Anniversary Carnival, and for an examination about the end of! January. Attention is also drawn to tne YiM.C.A. Boxing Day, Picnic, and of intending picnickers are resetted.

Mrs C. R. Bidwill, Tawaha, Featherston, requires a housemaid. Mr W. L. Falconer requires a young man to milk. Messrs Gillespie and Co. have vacancies for station hands and generals. Two collie dogs lost between Blairlogie and Masterton yesterday area dvertised for. An advertiser seeks board and residence for lady and gentlemen with one child for a term of three weeks.; Mr A. H. Rudd, land and estate agent, Martinborough, advertises particulars of several well-improved farms ranging in area from 187 to 3,200 acres.