LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 983, 1 March 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

I. Ever since the Newcastle miners' (strike started the Westport uoal I Company has been exceptionally [ busy, the demand being more than I equal to the supply. The company finds a difficulty in securing sufficient miners, and it is stated that employment could easily be found for 50 more men, which would result in a material increase in the output. Mr M. manager for Mr Harry Rickards, arrived in Masterton yesterday to arrange for, the one night season of the Rickards Vaudeville Jomotny on Manday evening next, at the Town Hall. The company consists of Mr and Mrs Robert Fitzsimmons, Miss Julia Gifford, Mr Franco Thyser, the three sisters Trapwell, Messrs Fred Bluett, Vaude and Verne, and the Wheelers. When ex-Captain Knyvett's company, No. 1 Garrison Artillery, met the other night, says an Auckland telegram, it was decided not to participate in the Kitchener parade until the authorities reinstated Mr Knyvett, or appointed a Royal Commission. Later on, however, Mr Knyvett visited the drill hall, and, addressing the men, - strongly urged them to parade on that occasion. They then agreed to do so. If Mr Gladstone were alive, and speaking for the Budget in his old style to-day, he would be regarded as a monument of the old-fashioned dignity, says the London correspondent of the "Sydney Daily Telegraph." But that he was looked upon as a demagogue by some people of his time may be gathered from the following story:—At the height of his power, Mr Gladstone went one day to a funeral. An elderly lady, being struck with his appearance, asked who he was. When toid that it was the great Liberal leader she was very agitated. "Dear me," she exclaimed, "I do hope the man isn't going to make a disturbance."

Rumours have been circulated from time to time, says the "Oamaru Mail," concerning the intention of the Hon T. Y. Duncan to resign his position in the House on account of ill-health. Such rumours were given I currency prior to the last elections, I and they are again being blown about by every wind. We are pleased to be able to state that the member for Oamaru has no intention whatever of retiring, and that his Health, except for occasional attacks of sciatica, is remarkably good—so good that at present he is working as hard as anybody in the harvest field. This news,will'b° n source of pleasure to Mr Duncan's friends.

Recently there cami into operation a section of the Mercantile Shipping Act, which makes it ■■'Migatory on foreign ships as well as British ships to have a load line marked upon them. The object of the section is to get rid of the anomalous conditions formerly obtaining, whereby a British ship was subjected to penalties if her load-line was submerged, while the foreign ship was at liberty to trade to British ports loaded irrespective of such conditions Several foreign countries, including Germany, France ami Holland, have now established load-line regulaI tions, which the Board of Trade acj cept as equivalent to those in force iin the United Kingdom. But ships Jof other nations coming into a British port without a load-line will be warned that the British regulations must be complied with, but if she is not over-loaded, arid is going to a foreign or a British port to have a load-line marked on her sides, she howr ev#>r, -she comes back again, unmarked wilh an approved load-line her master will be liable to prosecution.

The Greytown Horticultural Society's Autumn Show will be held on Thursday next. About 2,500 gallons of milk are being received daily at the Grey-] town Cheese Factory. Mr A. Reside, head buyer in North Wairarapa for the Gear Meat Com-] pany, Ltd., will leave Masterton on Thursday afternoon next en route for the Old Country. Mr Reside has decided to spend six months' leavd of absence in touring England, Scotland a 1 the Coniinent, and his many frit 3 in the Wairarapa will wish him a pleasant holiday. The Drill Hall was a scene of activity last night; when the Horti-I cultural Society were hard at work erecting the tables for the Show tomorrow. The whole of the Drill Hall tables are now ready for the exhibits. Extra lighting has been arranged for, this djing away witht any dark corners. Exhibitors may stage any of their exhibits to-night.' Atfernoon tea will be provided on the day of the Show, and an efficient string band of fourteen performers will be in attendance.

The monthly meeting of the Friend- 1 ly Societies' Council was held last evening' in the Foresters" Hall, President Bro. P. Smith, M.M., being in the chair. After the business of the meeting the members of the Carterton Friendly Societies' Council, who were present, were enfertained at a social evening. A first-class musical programme was presented, Mb A. Mcintosh presiding at the piano. Songs were given by Messrs Gowing, Spratt. Maxted, and. recitations by Bro. B. Chapman, of Masterton, Bros. Reid, Armstrong and De Lacy, ! of Carterton, also contributed. Bro.j Nicholl, President of the Carterton Council, returned thanks on behalf of the Carterton Council, and the singing of Auld Lang Syne brought an enjoyable.evening to a close.

An honoured gueat at roost "of the > London hospitals, hays the "Daily Mail," is a tall, slim man, with 3 Ihi ri face, who has to move about with extreme care because if ha happened to fall down he might in several places.He is literalliy 3 fragile man, who has to walk with something of the stiffness of "La Poupee." A violent fall would ba disastrous to him. He is suffering from a rare and painful disease*' which, in the words of one of the doctors who has seen him, tarns hini into a "porcelain man. " Allan Rush* brook, aged thirty-five, has" fos seven years been suffering from myositis ossificans; his ar€J turning into bone. He can walk, but; he cannot sit in a chair, and it is difficult for him to tarn his head far to the right or left. Fortunately ha takes his condition very philosophically and thoroughly enjoys his pipe. The muscles of his chest, back an thighs are all'mming to bone. He lies fiat in bed. When he desires to rise he is shifted to the edge of the bed, and his rigid body .is topped up till his feet touch the floor. A stick is placed in his hand, and he can then make his way in a straight line abead f The "Wanganui Chronicle" says that somebody who ought to have known better, started a sensational yarn about the missing steamefA Waratah, ai\d, like match to a tinder,™ the news spread in every direction. The long-lost steamer had at last been found, • but, unhappily, 60 of those on board had perished. This news, it was said, had been sent out as "extras" by the local newspaper offices. There was absolutely no truth in the statement. Nevertheless, the story created widespread excitement, spread with astonishing rapidity in all directions, and was accepted as. bona fide by quite a number of people. One worthy schoolmaster was so impressed with the seriousness of the news that he assembled all the children and told them the glad news of the finding of ! and the sad sequence of the dreadful death-boll. In another case a lady who was entertaining some visitors at the time was overcome almost to the point of fainting when the news was imparted to her. Interested inquiries sprang up on every hand. "Is this true about the . Waratah?" was a question heard on every hand in the streets. How or by whom the rumour was originated is a mystery, but whoever set it going deserves to be tarred and feathered. An advertiser wishes to hire a quiet horse and harness by the week. A meeting of shareholders and those interested in the formation of the Wairarapa Mineral Prospecting Company will be held in Mr F Brown's office, Bank of New land Buildings, to-murrow day) afternoon, at four o'clock.

Notice is given that all accounts owing to Mr A. H. Rothenberg, dental surgeon, who is leaving Masterton, are to be paid to Messrs Robinson and Hand-Newton, solicitors. All accounts due by Mr Rothenberg are to be sent in to ths same firm of solicitors. The Scoullar Co., Ltd., Wellington, announce by advertisement in another column that their annual stock-taking sale commences to-day ai d will continue during the month! The firm has a high reputation throughout the Dominion ior tbe variety and quality of its goods'<i|S|h as regards furniture and of every description, and th&nui&ntS sale affords an exceptional oppor-™ tunity for money-saving as sweeping reductions in price will apply to evefy department during its continuance.

Messrs Dainty and Co Ltd have received instructions from Mr Hugh Douglas, who has disposed of h.s property, to sell at Upper Opaki on Thursday, lOth March, all his live and dead stock, particulars of which are g.ven on page 8 Mr Douglas stock are all in first-class conauctioneers state that they can with confident recommend every line to be offered. Tn ?" pf ge , 8 of this'issue Messrs 1 John Chambers and Son, Ltl Wpl lington, announce that been appointed agents for New Zealand for "Mallinson's Oil Sheep Dip. This dip, apart from its not possessing any harmful iegredlents, obviates the need for sp ?f ia !. c ! re fn mixing, as it i 3 quite immaterial A whether dip or water goes into the bath first. It is quite soluble and perfectly mixable in 7 ' ? be firm will be pleased to forward full particulars of the dip to. anyone on application.

are reminded that tenders for metallnig 190 chains a Whakataki Valley Road close on Saturday, at the Count y_office, Tenui. Mr W. Hi Cruickshank reports the sale of trie balance of the Te Rangitumau block, Messrs Cameron Bros, being the purchasers of the balance of the unsold portion.