LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9674, 23 December 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"' The Wairarapa Age will not be published on December 25th and 27th. An area oi about nine thousand acres of Crown land near Tongoio, Hawke's Bay, will be open for selection on February 17th. • Mure-{QtagQ) r ,,.0n -Tuesday experieneetl the hottest day but one for the past fifteen years, 92deg. being registered in the shade at noon. The previ- | ous record was 92Jdeg. ' in reference to the sheep shearing tally put up by Mr J. Bristol a few days ago, who shore 232 sheep by machine in 8| hours. The writer statas that the following tally was put up on December 20th at Mr J. C. Mc KilloD'B place, "Puketiri," which, he considers constitutes a Wairarapa record: —JRei Pakn 252, Pita Panapa 247, R. Mcßae 218, making a total of 771 with an average of 239 per man. During the progress of a bush fire, says the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," and while it was raging fiercely on a farm at Molong, New South Wales, last week, a sheepdog displayed wonderful sagacity by taking charge of 200 sheep almost from the thick of the flames, and landing and keepnig tham outside the scope of lire. He remained with them until the flames on his master's property were subdued.

, History is silent, says the "Melbourne Age," as to the authorship of the waggish story told concerning the Geeiong Gaol, according to which a grumbling prisoner is alleged to have declared that he would not remain longer in it unless the walls were mended sufficiently to keep cows out."' But no less air authority than the Inspector-General of Prisons (Mr Conner) relates an incident scarcely less amusing. Some months ago the sentence of one of the prisoners who was engaged on some brick work, expired at 9 a.m., but he refused to leave until he had finished his job, and remained in the gaol till noon. Even then he was loth to go; but it was pointed out to him that the State could not undertake to keep him longer, and that if he did not at once depart an ejectment order would be obtained against him.

The following report from the London "Daily Telegraph" casts a, rather lurid light on the anti-British feeling in parts of Ireland:—At a meeting of the Tonercurry (co. Mayo) Rural Council, a long discussion took place on a report furnished by a rent-collector that one of the Council's tenants, a man named Leheny, had given lodging accommodation to a "sapper" who is eogaged in

making a survey of the district. It is stated that a number of the Royal Engineer? who are engaged in this work have been refused lidgings in the district. Mr Anderson, one of the members of the Council, said he would prefer that Irishmen, and not English soldiers, should occupy the Council's cottages. Mr McManus observed that plenty of Irishmen were sappers, and a member retorted that there was always an Irishman who was a traitor. Several members suggested proceedings against the tenant. The rent-collector mentioned that when he wrote to the tenant to "have the soldier cleared out before the next meeting of the Council," Leheny replied, "The poor man is looking for a house and can get none, and I thought it was no harm to let him in for a few weeks." Mr Henry: Make an order to have him cleared out, and if he has not left before this day week we will prosecute. An ordet to this effect was made.

The practice of holding land sale*' at night is now adopted m Timara„ The ratepayers of Gisbonie have just sanctioned by a large majority a loan of £175,000 to provide sewerage, roads, a bridge, recreation grounds, w«tter supply extension, and an electric and power plant. The exact position for ~ the new meat freezing works at Wain?awa has now been settled. The structure will face the road, and the railway line, and the plans include the construction of two sets of lines from >he siding through the works. The Family Home Protection Bill is the title of a Bill introduced by Mr Massey. The idea of the Bill is that where a married man establishes 1 a homestead it cannot be sold or mortgaged without the consent of his wife. The Bill will be printed and circulated, but will not come before the House this session. The work of taking the levels forthe foundation of the Wellington Meat Company's new works at Waingawa is being proceeded with. The assistant Railway Engineer has laid out the position for the railwaycrossings, sidings and culverts, but the levels have yet to be taKen. Speaking on the rabbit question at the Kiwitea County Council on Saturday, reports the "Feilding Statf,"" Councillor E. Short said he had had a man on for six months doing nothing but trapping rabbits, and he had averaged 400 to 500 rabbits per month. Going home from Kewa onenight, he saw nine rabbits on one, road, and seven on another, where" 4 twelve mcntho ago he would never see a rabbit. No fewer than 641 people ire travelling to New Zealand by the Connthic, due on Tuesday next from London. Of this "population afloat," 16 are in the first saloon, 90 in the second, and 535 in the third-class. The bookings of the last-mentioned are. as follow:—Wellington, 101; Auckland, 148; Napier, 23; Gisborne, 15: Oamaru, 1; Dunedin, 60; Bluff, .9; Pict'in, 2; Nelson, 2; ' Westport, 24; Greymouth, 13; Wan* B&Qui, 8; and New Plymouth, 18. Masterton residents will be interested to learn that the Engineer for the new meat freezing works at Wai*ngawa expects to have the plans ready, so ai to betible to call tenders for the construction of the works in about three weeks* time. The condi- ; tions of the contract are that the works must be completed by Novem- . ber Ist. The , the railway siding is to be proce&Jte«i with immediately, so. as to enable" the successful tenderer to have the . use of it in railing the necessary ' building material on to the site. A special display of meat, turkeys, I geese, ducks, and fowls, will be made in Long'B Meat Mart, Queen Steeet, this evening. The'management promise that the display will be something out of the ordinary and in-. vite inspection. Mr L Stein,, draper and clothier, opposite'JECnox Church, South- Queeo Street, Masterton, has a special display of embroideries which should be inspected by the ladies of Masterton and district. Christmas gifts, such as jewellery, fancy goods, toys, Japanese boxes, handkerchiefs, are obainable from Mrs Saba and Son at reasonable pri ces. Costumes and blouses are also shown in great variety. In his advertisement in another column MrVJ. Kitchener, boot aijd shoes specialist,has some illustrations of Christmas and New Year specials. His stock is a large, well selected, and Btylish one, of superior quality. Hi& prices, too, are reasonable. Almost without exception ironmongers,, when asked to > recommend *a tange, nominate the "Orion."' Its many special features and patented ideas, along with prefcet draught, rapid ovens, and large boilers, ensure convenience, cleanliness, and eehuine comfort." ' Scores' of these ranges have been sold in this district during the past few months. The Bush Districts Agricultural and Pastoral Associations' Annual Show is to be held on the WoodviHe racecourse on Wednesday, January ! 26th, 1910. Schedules and entry forms may he obtained from the. secretaries uf kindred societies, or from Mr J. H. Ecsotc, > secretary ; Entries close on Tuesday, 11th Jan; uary, at 9 p.m. * - Those who visit Mr J, Heyhoe'a • - establishment in search of Christmas ; presents will' find no difficulty in " making a selection. Apart from bis splendid stock of general drapery and clothing he has scores of pretty "and useful articles such as tray cloths, runners, centre*?, lace curtains, embroidered blouse lengths, tancy handkerchiefs, and sunshades and uinbrel- *■ las. Mr Heyhae's premises should be , well patronised during the festive / season.

Among the tobacconists' establishments of Master ton tliere is none more worthy of mention than that of Mr W. Cragg's, Queen Street. The many devotees of the fragrant weed have their requirements amply provided for there. Cigars for all tastes, and a splendid line of pipes, are always to be seen there," and the prices: are low, considering the high-class quality of goods carried. For the Christmas season Mr Cragg has imported a big assortment of articles suited for presentation purposes, many of which are now displayed in the windows of his store.

A special display of fancy linens and gouds suitable for this festive season is now being made at Murray's stores. The beautiful linen goods, all hand-worked by the Irish peasants, are simply a treat to see, and the prices are remarkably low for such high grade goods. Sunshades and gloves are also deserving of mention, all the leading shades and styles. Special Christmas values are being offered in all the departments, the h'.-Mt item justifying the claims of th« Stores for best values.

Mr Claude Corbett, hairdresser and! tobacconist, ha» secured for the Christmas trade a stock of smokers* requisites, which should command considerable trade during the next few days. Cigar and cigarette holders, pipes, walking sticks, shaving outfits, and toilet requisites, are displayed in great variety. The goods are of first-class quality, and, are to be sold at decidedly reasonable rates.. The hairdressing saloon is one of the best appointed in the district, and patrons can rely on receiving prompt attention and general satisfaction.

The Caledonian Society are mak-1 ing special efforts in connection with) the annual concert, and it is expected it will be better than the previous one, which was looked upon' •as a great success. "The solicitors' offices in Masterton will be closed for the Christma vacation from Friday, 24th inst., to January 10th, 1910. A small stack of hay is advertised for sale. ; Tie Y.M.C.A. and Bible Classes' picnic is to be held on Mr Wardell's property on Boxing Day. The names of friends wishing to take part in the picnic are requested to hand in their | nance? to Mr A. Snowball at the Y.M.C.A. There will be no meetings at the Y.M.C.A. on Sundays, December 26th and January 2nd. Amongst the many delicacies turn•ed out by the Frimley Canning Company are green peas in 21b and half ■ gallon cans. These peas have met with huge sales throughout the Dominion, the flavour being fully pre served in the canning process. During the summer months Frimley preserved fruits should greatly replace meat in the households of the Wairarapa.