LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 973, 17 February 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The sum of £169 13s was taksn at the fortnightly pay night of the Masterton Workers' Mutual Benefit Building Society last evening.

Lieutenant Wallis, of the Pahiatua Fire Brigade, has been appointed delegate for that body, to attend the United Fire Brigades' Conference at Hastings on the 21.sc inst.

a Messrs Bibby Bros, gave another interesting buck jumping entertainment in Lincoln road last evening, and were greeted by a large audience. The season was concluded last nigh'c.

An Invercargili Press Association telegram states that in the case in which J. S. Neave, a local solicitor, was charged with keeping liquor for sale, the Magistrate to-day gave a written decision, holding that Neave had not aj case to answer, as the prosecution had failed to prove the essentia) facts. Included in the competitions in the Town Hall, to-night, will be piano solo, reading at sight for boys and girls under 16, spelling competition Standards 111. IV, V. and VI., impromptu debate, and the prepared speech. As there are a great number of entries for the different competitions competitors are requested to be at the Hall at 7.30 p.m. sharp. Any person who has not already entered may do so up till 7 p.m.

I The financial figures in connection with gates, grandstand ar.d luncheon and aiterr.oon tea booth, of the Masterton A. and P. Association's Show, are as follow: —Gates, £177 15s 6d; grandstand, £34 8s; luncheon and afternoon tea booth, £133 16s 6d. Total, £346. Compared with the 190y Show the receipts mentioned disclose a decrease of £24 19s 6d, but, as a set off against thie, there has been a large increase in membership during the past year. It would, therefore, appear from the takings at the gate that the attendance was quite as large, if not mote so than last year, fhe figures for last year were—gates, £197 14s 6d; grandstand, £52 15s; luncheon" and afternoon tea' booth, £l2O 10s" total,

£370 19s 6d. ;

The Woodviile swimming sports, held yesterday, were largely attended. .The Hawke's Bay Championship was won by Seymour (Napier's representative) with Carr (Feilding) andF. Phillips (Masterton) in the places. The Club Championship was won by L. Nicholas, with L. Parrant 2, and C. Pease 3. 'lbe President's Handicap won by P. Phillips, and the Woodviile Handicap by L. Harris.

In connection with the position in the hemp (flax fibre) market, the "Trade Review" says that there is a wide difference of opinion as to the probable output for 1910. The merchants dealing in the fibre, who are in close touch with the miller?, estimate an increase of 20 to 25 per cent. The officers of the Government grading division speak of a probabillty of the output for 1909 being doubled during this year.

Although the aoubtful weather last evening prevented many country residents from remaining in town, for the St. John Ambulance Bazaar, yet the attendance was easily the largest since the opening of the bazaar. The bazaar will be open again this evening at 7.30 o'clock, and also on Friday, at 2.30 p.m., and 7.30 p.m. The concluding evening, Saturday next, will it is hoped, see the aim Of a willing band of workers for a noble cause fully realised.

Some Australian scientists just now are interested in a proposal to estab • lish a solar observatory in the Com monwealth. The Federal Government has promised, to maintain the institution if the sum of £IO,OOO can be raised by bodies and individuals for the buildings and equipment. A considerable sum has been collected already, and it is expected that there will not be much difficulty in obtaining the total. A site has not yet been fixed. The Macdonald Ranges, in the middle of Australia, have been suggested, but Dr Farr, of Christchurch, who has just returned from a visit to Australia, thinks that the new observatory will find a home not so remote from civilisation.

Miss Frances Coleman, who recently returned to Cbristchurch from a visit to England, where she studied educational methods, told a "Lyttelton Times'* interviewer that nature study receives much more attention there than it does in the Dominion. The English school gardens are mostly on the same plan as those in New Zealand, but she was impressed with the fact that even in the slums of London; where gardens are quite out of the question, each child has a plant in a pot to attend to. In the country the school buildings seem to be an improvement upon those in New Zealand, and more money is spent on school apparatus. Miss Coleman was also impressed with the enthusiasm of the teachers. She says that their enthusiasm is of the stamp which characterises missionaries, but, if anything, is greater and more marked.

The Rev. Edward Walker has published his annuasl summary of the Dominion drink bill for 3909. This, worked out at per gallon rates, amounts to £3,628,137, or £3 lis OJd per head of population, a decrease of £123,831 tfpon the previous years expenditure, notwithsanding an increase of the population of 26,780. The decrease per head of population is 4s sd. During the first six months of the year No-license was operating in six districts, and during the latter half of the year in twelve. Mr Walker states that it is difficult to say what proportion of the decrease is due to the increase of Nolicense areas and what is possibly due to a diminished spending power of the people; but he has no doubt that both have contributed to the decrease. That No-license has done so he regards as beyond dispute. The total estimated expenditure upon alcoholic liquor in this country from the foundation uf the colony of New Zealand, at per gallon rates, has now reached the sum of £124,335,413.

A capable nurse girl for afternoons is required; apply 22 Worksop Road.

Two ladies' handbags found yesterday await ownership at the Masterton Police Station.

As a lightning window and mirror cleaner, also a time and labour saver, "iJrite-Glas" is recommended to one and all.

Notice is given in another column that no entries for the popular Swimming Carnival of the Y.M.C.A. will be taken after to-day. Some additional.events have been placed on the programme, and a good days port is expected oh the 24th, weather permitting.

The Ladies' Swimming Club having postponed their proposed Swimming Sports, notice is given that the "Christina and Alice Memorial Baths" will be open to the public during the whole of to-day.

Tha time for the closing of tenders for renovating, decorating and drainage works at Mr J. P. Maunsell's, Lansdowne, has been extended to the 24th inst. Messrs Penty and Lawrence, Wellington, are the architects.

A treat is in at ire for lovers of Shakespeare on Fridov evening next, at the Town Hall, w.ien scenes from "As You Like it," " ill be again presented by the Knox Club. The performance, which begins at 8 o'clock, is in connection with the St. John Ambulance Bazaar.

Mr K. E. Howell, representing the Mist Company, proprietors of the famous "Odor" Purifier, is at present on a business visit to Masterton. Mr L. H. Lewis is the local representative of the company, and reports doing record business at the Masterton Show, having disposed of nearly 500 bottles of "Odor" Purifier in one day. The preparation gives universal satisfaction, and its really marvellous properties are attracting widespread attention.

THE HAIE THAT WON'T FALL OUT

Is the hair that is daily treated to a dressing with that delightful, antiseptic, hair-producing Tonic, "CANTHAK." It is a vitalising, strengthening, nourishing Hair POOD, that will do a vast amount of good in a short spaoo of time. THAR" stops the fall, and produces heavy, luatrous, healthy hair. Price 1/6 and 2'6 per bottle. Sold only by 'J. V. GOTfDOM. Ohnmist, etc. (by Exam's), 'J he Medical Hall, Masterton.