LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9691, 15 January 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest dredging returns are as follow:—Masterton dredge, 15oz 6dwt; Mystery Flat, 9oz 19dwt. Dredging operations at Waikaia have bsen hampered a good deal lately through " scarcity of water.

The meeting of the Masterton Trust Lands Trustees, to have been held last evening, lapsed for want of a quorum.

At Gisborne over 700 cases are to be dealt with by the Native Land Court at the sitting commencing next week.

An increase of approximately 2,000 members has followed upon vigorous organisation on behalf of the Shearers Federation.

"We all recognise in the bush that nothing can beat the English wire," remarked the Taranaki county chairman at meeting on Thursday last, when the relative values of English and American makes of gavanised iron were under discussion.

The following quaint apology is being advertised in the Christchurch papers: "I regret having sent an inaccurate report to the Lyttelton "Times" and "Press" of an entertainment in connection with the Opawa school, held at Opawa on November 25th, in which it was made to appear that the headmaster had contributed an Irish Jig to the programme." This should act as a caution against folks who may be tempted to bear false witness against their neighbours. It does not pay to make a teacher dance, a jig. The man who called the tune in the above case had to pay the piper.

Apparently it can blow at Timaru on occasions. The "Timaru Herald" says so strong was the wind on Thursday afternoon that it was responsible for a very painful accident in Craigie avenue. A girl of 14 years of age, the daughter of Mr Quick, railway crossing-keeper, had just turned into the avenue from North street when an extra boisterous puff caused her to lose control of her bicycle. With astonishing suddenness the gale hoisted her and the machine completely over the wire-netting fence protecting the trees in the centre of the roadway. She came down very heavily, and her cries quickly brought some residents to her assistance. The shock proved too much for her, and she fainted. Examination showed that her right arm was broken in two places.

It is not altogether pleasant, sometimes, to be a Governor, after all. He has to sell up some of his furniture, just like the ordinary man who loses his position. Also, he does not feel sure about getting his luxurious camping outfit for his fishing tour. Thus: Replying to an inquiry by a "Dominion" reporter, the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Railways, stated that, as far as \w was aware, there was r.o foundation the report that two railway carriages were being specially fitted up .it the Petone Workshops for the usu of his Excellency the Governor ami staff in connection with a proposed fishing expedition. Mr Millar added that he was investigating the matter. "In. vestigating!" Supposing the Gover- ! nor ordered those oars? I

A meeting of the Committee of the Carlton Cricket Club whs held in the secretary's rooms last evening, there being present:—Messrs E. Collinge (chairman), E. Welch. H. Roberts, B. Waugh and P. P. Welch. Various accounts were passed for payment. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr B. Iveson, Vice-President, for the donation of a guinea towards the Club's funds. A letter was received from the Wellington East Club, asking if the Club could play them on Anniversary Day in Masterton. The secretary was instructed to arrange the match subject to the Wellington East Club being able to play on the 24th, and to the committee of the Swimming Carnival allowing the use of the Oval for the day. The secretary was instructed to write to the committee asking for the use of the ground.

Reports continue to be received of# caterpillars and birds having done considerable damage to crops in Canterbury districts. It is stated that farmers who are threshing from the stock are finding the grain yields disappointing, says the "Lyttelton Times." Many of the paddocks are whitening off, with a consequent decline of yield and quality. Keports from Ashburton state that tne crops there are in a bad way on account of the continued dry weaker. All the crops as far south as 1/ imaru seem to be badly affected. North of Ashburton also they show signs of the heat.

Appearances indicate that: Southland grass seed will be very heavy m parts where the crop has been standing up, but in some cases on heavy land tt.e grass has got e down very badly. It is difficult to &&y how the market will rule, but the stocks at present held hy Southland merchants are very light. Taranaki dairy farmers have reason to congratulate themselves on the fact that if the supply has commenced to decline by reason of the dry weather the early nature uf the season enabled them to ship a considerable proportion of their produce when prices should beat their best level.

Everything in connection with the statistical position points to the present Australasian clip being a moderate one, and of abo'it the volume predicted in Dalgety's estim te of October 22nd last, namely, 2,388,000 bales, an increase of 100,000 hales on the exports of the previous season.

A Press Association telefrram from Dunedin stales ihut Donald M<Kenzie, the absconding clerk, who was arrested at Perth ami extra: ited, pleaded guilty yesterday to the r.heft of £BS, the property of the Dunedin City Corporation, and the forging of a voucher for the receipt of £504, was committed for sentence.

The Rev. A. Hudge will preach in the Congregational Church t<«- morrow. The subject for the children's nature, study in the morning will be "The Stinging Nettle," whiia the subject of the sermon will lie the 20th of the Path of History series —viz.. ".Babylon, or the MelancholyEnd of a Thousand Years." The evening subject will ne Job wrestling with the "Unsolved Enigma of the Inequalities of Life."

At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, James B. Moodie, Orlando N. C. Pragnell, FredericK W2 Temple, Robert Leech and Alfred Caselberg were each charged with using the Borough water supply in contravention of the by-laws. A plea of guilty was entered in each case, and a fine of Is, with costs 17s 6d, was imposed. Charles \Vyett and George Watson were similarly charged, but pleaded not guilty. Similar fines, however, were imposed as in the other cases.

Cyril La Rocne, Reginald Edwards, James Riddell, and Horace Flaws were each charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning with riding a bicycle without a light, between the hours of sunset and sunrisu. Fines of 2i GJ a,d costs were imposed in each case. Herbert Wimsett and Shack Home were charged with riding their bicycles on the footpaths, and were each fined 7s and costs. His Worship stated he would not be inclined to be so lenient in future cases of riding without lights. In regard to riding on the footpath there was absolutely no excuse for this practice, considering the splendid condition of the roads.

The final meeting of the Wairarapa Friendly Societies' picnic delegates took place at Carterton on Thursday night, Bro. Nicholls being in the chair. The secretary presented the report and balance sheet of the Boxing Day picnic, showing the outing to have been a great success. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr C. Tringbam for the use of his grounds, and to the Featherston, Greytowu, Carterton, and Masterton Lodges for the interest taken in the picnic. It was decided to recommend that the gathering be an annual one. Votes of thanks were passed to Bros. Pickering, Shack leton, Leppine, and Tucker, refreshment committee; Bros. Tait, Benton, and Tricker, the ground committee; Bros. Chapman,Feilding, Danocb, Nicholls, Armstrong, and Rue, the programme committee; and Bros. Pragnell, Smith and Henry, the trophy committee. Accounts amounting to £24 5s 9d were passed for payment. The delegates were greatly pleased with the support given to the picnic, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the various donors of trophies.

A charge of taking a dog into the Masterton Park in contravention of the Borough by-laws was preferred against Alfred Edwards at the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning. Mr Pownall, who appeared for the Borough Council, said thas they were anxious to keep the Park in good order. Defendant had been warned by the caretaker, and had since repeated the offence. Evidence was given by David Jackson, who stated that on December 19th defenant brought his dogs into the Park. He had done so since the summons had been issued, and had stated that he would continue to do so until the Magistrate decided the matter. Defendant, in his evidencp, stated that he bad always been most careful to keep the dogs away from the flower beda. A fine of 10s and costs was imposed.

A strange story comes from North Adams, Massachusetts, where a boy of nineteen, named Thomas, pawned himself as security for a note for £2OO sriven by his elder brother to a man named Nassif, a fruit dealer. Thomas had not had any money for , a vear and a-half, but he has worked early and late for Nassif, and the money he should have received in wages has gone upon the payment of the note. He sacrificed himself willingly that his brother might go to college and become a civil engineer. The note has just been paid. Young Thomas volunteered to be hostage for the payment of the note, and signed an agreement by which he sold himse'f to Nassif, agreeing to worK without pay until such time as the note was paid. He faithfully kept the agreement. The relationship between the boy and the master during their curious agreement was most friendly, and Thomas professes gratitude to Nassif that he was allowed to pay the note in that way.

Messrs Abraham and Williams, TAd have removed, into their new premises in Queen'street Masterton Further reference to the building will be made in our 183ue of Monday. The Hon. the Minister of Internal Affairs has granted the Bazaar Committee of St. John Ambulance Brigade permission to hold an art union aod raffles in connection witb the bazaar to be held during Show week -for the purpose of raising funds for a district nurse to work amongst the -sick and the poor in their own homes. Three bores have been put down on the Homebush estate, to test the ground for further seams of coal. The tests, says the "Christchurch Press," were highly successful, three seams being struck, varying from 4ft to 7ft 6in in thickness, The seams are located near the tramway track to the present mine, and the working of them presentsno difficulty. W

A child, aged eight years, named Alice Williams, who had been in the General Hospital,. Hobart, some sufferine from St. Vitu? I dance, and had become apparently ' hopelessly dumb, recovered her speech during the distribution of t«ys by Lady Barron. She was Riven a teddy bear, and to the astonishment •of the surgeon who was present, named it. The recovery of speech ssems permanent. The Thompson-Payne Pictures were r Tvell patronised last nigU despite the large counter attractions and the programme was well recdved. Tonight a complete change will be produced, and the management promise a series well up to the usual high standard. To facilitate the even working of Messrs Thompson and Paynes large circuit, the Masterton programmes will be in future be changed on Thursday and Monday, ; commencing Thursday next. ' Some idea of the immensity of the rabbit pest may be obtained, says a Dunedin correspondent, from the fact that on the Morven Hills run, an area of about 350,000 acres, to be thrown open to the Government in February, the number of rabbits cleared off the ground in 1909 ran into millions, and the annual cost of •Clearing them off has averaged something like £4,000 for the past five years. The Union Company has promoted Mr Appleyard, the second officer of the Waikare, to be first officer in recognition of his services rendered by him in connection with the wreck •of the vessel. The members of the crew, who were with Mr Appleyard lin the launch, are to be given " monetary grants. The stewardess, Miss Gash and assistant, .are to be promoted, states a Press Association telegram. "" While not in any way wishing to compare this with the famous Tara- * naki records, Mr R. Robinson, jun., of Kimbolton road, supplies the following particulars of some interest. An employee (A. Eades) has milked, say the "Star." for some time an average of 26 cows rooming and night, the highest individual number •being 30 at' one milking, which were milked in three and a-half hours, the greatest number in ore hourjieing eleven. Mr Robinson's 3ierd consists of 68 cows, which are /milked by three men, all the animals liavirg been selected fnr their heavy milking qualities. This is something like a record for this district. A case showing how some people reward honesty came under the notice of a "Timaru Post" representative recently. A young lady, upon entering one of the bathing machines at Caroline Bay, found a purse left by the previous occupant, and containing £4 in money, railway ticket, and a steamer ticket. She informed the caretaker of her find and left her address with him for the information of the loser of the purse. The loser promptly hunted up the address, and "demar.ded" the purse in a tone that clearly indicated her /opinion of the finder. The young lady bore with the insinuations patiently, and ascertained from the description given that the woman was the owner of the purse, she nanded it over with the dignified remark that the return of the purse at least deserved a woTd of thanks. The woman replied that she "didn't think so," and walked -off. Albert Willason was charged at the Magistrate's Court, yesterday mon.ing, on the information of Joseph Smith, ranger for the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, that on October 30th, he did fish for trout in the Waikanae river without a license. Mr C. A. Pownall ap- \ peared for the Society, and Mr Page (Eketahuna) for defendant. Joseph Smith gave evidence as to seeing accused fishing in the Waikanae river with a rod, line and worm. Witness asked for bis license, which defendant failed to produce. Accused gave his name as "Leonard Udy,' and witness subsequently ascertained that bis name was Albert Willason. De- ] fendant was convicted and fined £5 and costs, time being allowed until February 20th. in which to pay. Another case was also heard in which Harold Hogben and William Thompson were each charged that k they did take imported game within the Wellington Acclimatisation Society's district out of season. A plea of puiltv was entered, and each was Yflned 20s with costs £1 10s. . ' An unseemly brawl interrupted the proceedings at the Dunedin 'Gaelic Society's concert recently. During the presentation of medals for piping and dancing a sturdilybuilt individual in kilt and tartan offered in a loud voice to play any piper in the room for £SO, but the offer was ignored. "I'll put the mor.ey uv," shouted the Highlander, and again issued his challenge. People in front turned round and said "Hush" rpprovingly; others roared "Shut ur," while a small minority applauded, and cried "Hear, hear!" The author of the disturbance became more and more demonstrative. A brother Scot came to eject him, and ( both measured their length on the floor, and rolled fighting near the doorway. On being lifted to the perpendicular, the man in the kill finding himself bnrne still nearer the exit, wrought strenuously with his fists on ever face they could reach, - and things began to look unpleasant. Finally he was overpowered and hustled into the open air. There •were several heated arguments, and a crowd, and the man of battle and bets, declaring that a certain person had never heard a shot fired in his life, was led away protesting wrathfally|

During the period from 1845 to 1909, the amount of timber shipped from the Northern Wairoa is difficult to compute, but far exceeds 1,000,000,000 ft. To-day, says the Auckland "Herald," the mills, if called upon, could annually produce 100,000,000 ft, and the amount of money engaged in the industry is enormous. There are over 1,000 men engaged in the bushes and mills, and their wages are an important item to Northern Wairoa merchants.

Mr W H. Cole, painter and paperhanger, has an interesting advertisement in another column.

The merits of "Flag" brand pickles are expressed in verse in an advertisement appearing in another column.

Mr H. T. Wood's advertisement in another column is of particular interest to those who are affected with eye troubles.

Gas consumers are reminded that Monday next is the last day on which discount will be allowed on current accounts.

The cheapest sheep farm in Hawke's Bay is offered for sale by Messrs Spence and Co., land agents, Dannevirke. Particulars are given in an irset on page 8 of this issue.

Big bargains are announced at the W.F.C.A. early season sale, which will start at nine o'clock this mornine. and continues for twelve days. The management claim that it will pay to be there early and spend the day saving money. Messrs R. Hannah and Co., Ltd., anounce that their summer sale of boots and shoes will open at their Masterton store to day. The stock is one of the largest and best assorted in the district, and of a first-class quality. The price reductions average from 10 to 25 per cent, and during the next two weeks those requiring footwear of any kind are invited to make their purchases at Hannah's.

The Dresden Piano Company's great annual sale of pianos and organs is now being held at the local agency, Messrs Inns and Goddard, Gray's Buildings, Queen street. A large selection of pianos has been opened up for the sale, including such well-known makes as John Broadwood and Son, Collard and Collard, Ronisch, Bohm, Collinson, etc. These instruments will be sold on special sale terms, affording a great opportunity to intending purchasers of possessing pianos and organs of the very highest grade on say monthly or half-yearly payments. The sale is being conducted by the Company's representative, Mr G. W. Henderson, and will continue for ten days only, during which time the premises will remain open for the sale of pianos until nine' o'clock every evening. Intending purchasers should take the earliest opporunity of visiting the depot, and inspecting .the Company's splendid stock*.