LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10000, 22 March 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The deer shooting season will open, on Thursday next.

Turnip blight is very prevalent throughout Taranaki, and farmers who were relying on this crop for the winter will be very short of feed.

Oamaru is at present the unhappy hunting ground of the house saeker, says the "Mail." A property agent of thirty years' experience assuresus that i' h long, very long, since there wr s ;uch a demand for houses.

The mild weather and warm rains have maintained Taranaki paatuies in such splendid heart that the milk flow it> being kept up in a surprising manner. The season should easily prove a record one.

Statistics as to the oat crop of New Zealand this season lead to the belief that as compared with last year there will be a deficiency m the yield of about million bushels. B BHHrane? 1 1

H„lt, is somewhat singular Ithat, in spite of the present being one of the hottest summerp experiened in the AucKland district for many years past,' the burning off ot areas of felled bush has not been so successful.' Marlborough settlers make a similar i compalint.

It is understood, says ihe "Ne\tf Zealand Herald," that the proposed Dominion Steamship Company of New Zealand, an announcement of which has alrfady appeared, will enter into the New Zealand-Austral-ian service. The fleet is expected to consist of four Iprge vessels, the first of which is already being built on the Clyde. The time of starting business, the heatf quartets, and the final. Zft°l"nd port of call are not yet known..

An extraordinary escape from death is reported from Lynn, U.S.A., on January 16th, although 4,500 volts 'of electricity passed J. through the body of James McLeod,. be was not kilted. McLeod accident- , ally gratsped a heavily charged wire m at the Lynn electric lighting plant, • where he was employed. As only 1,500 volts are used when persons are electrocuted by law, the man's escape from instantaneous death is little short of miraculous.

The Greymouth correspondent of ' the " Lyttelton Times" says The gratifying intelligence has been received in town that the Cabinet has accepted a tender for the construction of. a bridge over the Big Wanganui river, in South Westiand. The erection of this bridge will hot only encourage settlement in the fertila south, but will also make the beautiful scenic resorts of South Westland easy of access. Once the bridge is completed r considerable tourist traffic should speedily be inaugurated to the southern wonderland.

Scouting proceeds apace in Australia A Melbourne troop, the Ist Elstemwick, achieved the honour sometime ago of posting guards round the ground in which an important garden fete was being held, and so preventing "undesirables" from gaining admittance. Every State iij the Commonwealth has i its strong: Central Council. The Governor of South Australia, Admiral Sir Day Bosanquet, has taken up the duties of Chief Scout in that State. Lord 5; Dudley, the Governor-General of the fAj Commonwealth, has accepted the position of patron of the Boy Scouts of Australasia.

There has been placed in the Dominion Museum, at Wellington, a framed series of carved wooden tablets, each measuring about 9in by 6in. and each bearing a distinct Maori pattern used in carving, together with the name of the pattern. The series has been specially prepared by Anaha, the celebrated carver of Ohinemutu. Anaha was formerly one of the most noted carvers of his race, but ie is now very old and feeble. The exhibit will be of interest as being from his hand, and also as giving the names of most of the important patterns used in carving in the Rotorua district. There > are fifteen varieties in the frame.

Suggestions for exterminating rabb ts were sent in to Dr Tidswell, who has just presented bis report, from all over the world, says the' "Sydney Daily Telegraph." The nationality of ihe Inventor could almost in each case be guessed from the suggestions. A Frenchman suggested a vegetable poison—which it was. found would not kill. An American, from Albany, U.S.A, suggested a, patent fence, without explaining how it killed rabbits. A Spaniard sag' gested that rabbits should be inoculated with "goat itch.'* The experimerit' was not made. % A Lancashire & mau sent in a plan of an elaborate - tipping trap. A Dubbo man was going to rig up netting traps and attract rabbits into them, only he would not say how unless he got , a guarantee. A Toronto man wanted 10 put up a corral. Australians were rao3tly for fumigating or poisoning. But a maa from Melrose, New south suggested that the rabbits should be electrified. A Canadian from Ontario suggested investigation of'..the Canadian "Seven Years' Plague." The ; committee, at the end of the report., asks for further suggestions..

Sir Ernest Shackletun had a remarkably enthusiastic reception in - „ Fuasia. His lecture on January 25thi was attended by the largest gatber--1 ing of the kind ever sten in St. ai Petersburg, there beii.g nn atten- * dance of over 2;000 in ihc> Alexandey . Room of the City Hall. A great many' of those present dia not understand English, but came to do honour to the intrepid young explorer and to see the pictures taken in the heart of the Antarctic, fc-'lr Ernest was present*.dh wjith the gold medal of tfi'e Geographical Society. Atnonast the notables present were M. Isvolsky, several naval and military officers, and members'of tie foreign embassies. Sir Ernest Shackleton had the honour of being received in audience fcy the Cazr, who conferred upon him the Order of St. Anne. The Constantine gold medal given him by the Geographical Society has not been, given to anyone for nearly seventy years. Sir Ernest bad two hours' conversation with the Cazr, whom he admired art atly. He was also charmed jWith the yhoapitallityofvthe Grand Duchess Marie Pavlovna, and otfaer distinguished Russians who enter- . tained him.

The Wellington Civil Service Rifles rwill fire a match at Ebetahuna on £ Saturday next against a team picked j from the Eketahuna Mounted Rifles. |

A drag load of members of the local Salvation Army journeyed to Carterton Ja9t evening, to assist the Carterton Corps with their annual harvest thankagiviog services. The friends of Mr Boyd, of Lansdowne, who met with a nasty accident through falling from a drag last week, will be pleased to hear that, on inquiry yesterday morning, Mr Boyd was reported to .be making satisfactory progress towards recovery.

"I The Pahiatua School, which was burned down on Saturday evening t last, was a new building, fitted " with all the latest school requirements, and was situated on a terrace at the foot of the low hills to the east of the town of Pahiatua. The opening ceremony of the school performed by the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister of Education, some few months ago. Since the opening ceremony, the School Committee had a good portion of the grounds laid down in grass and flower plots, and it was generally considered that the

school and surroundings were thoroughly up-to-date. v The classes at the Masterton Techtical school opened for the year's )urse, last evening, when upwards of forty pupils were in attendance for instruction in English an 1 arithmetic under M r C N. n Hi n. Most of those present were aoplicants for free places, nnd after having had the regulations in tuis, connection explained to them, and bei.ig given an indication of the course of work for

ths ypar the class was dismissed,

The fullowing classes will meet for instruction Shis (Taesdav) evening: —Bookkeeping, Mr C. N. Haslam; sign and ticket "writing, Mr E.J. Ohilton;- and dressmaking, Miss M. Johnston.

Despite the inclement " weather

fadt evening, there w«s a good at-

tendance at the anniversary social at y'Kuriouni, in connection with the J Kuripnni Methodist Sunday School. 'wAddresses ware given by the Rev. C.

E.'Porter. Mr J. Bridges (Secretary of|the No-license Movement), and Mr Burton, senr. (Superintendent

of tfcn Sunday School). The scholars, under the baton of Mr A. Wise, rendered several anniversary hymns in a pleading manner, and the prizes won d iring the past year, were presented tD the successful scholars by the Rtv. C. E. Porter. The Secretary's report showed tha Sunday School to ba in a healthy condition, while in the Treasurer's statement, a credit balance of £ll on the year's wording was shown.

That the rabbit pest is more pre-

valent in the country this year than / for some time past is, says the ' "Southern Standard," Gore, evident by the number that are daily brought into the Mataura works by rail, carts, etc. The season commenced only on Monday last, and already •several thousand carcases have been handled. The packers have been kept busy until midnight. The heat of the early part of the week had a disastrous effect on some of the consignments, and it is stated that already.

as much as £IOO worth of Rejects

have been put aside. One *lot was so - baldy affected that it was impossible

to skin them

As much as 7sd per

pair is being paid this year to rabJjiters. some of whom are tnaking as Jtmuch as £2 a day. Every morning '4r-boys attending school are to be seen taking their catches to the market, and some of them earn good pocket money by this means.

Messrs J. A. J. Mac Lean and Co. will hold an auction sale of general merchandise at their Perry street

mart* to-morrow afternoon. The goods are all fresh and of good » quality, and include lines of sugar, tea, biscuits, lollies, dates, nuts, etc.

The W.F.C.A., Ltd., have received a large supply of the latest and best Welsbach mantles. This company have greatly imDroved the quality of their manxles. They are extra

stoutly woven and 'last much longer

than the thin thread mantles, be■y sides a much brighter light can be got by using them.

Messrs J. Graham and Co. invite the public to make an inspection of their windows. They have on view ail the latest novelties for autumn and winter wear, including ladies' ready-to-wear hats, ohildrens' hats, jackets, dress tweeds, blouse winceys and flannels, and other fashionable goods.

The last few days of Hugo and Shearer's great opening sale in the Exchange Buildings are announced. Another instalment of tempting bar-

gains is being brought forward for this week. Visitors to Masterton dura ing Easter should not mi s visiting *'"this busy store, and noting their values before purchasing. High-class new season's goods are selling at prices far below regular.

"B? equipp dtor the rivalries of life" is the text of a new advertisement inserted by Messrs Krahagen and Chapman, high-class tailors, Perry street. They have a special word to say in regard to their new stock of dress suitings, inspection of which is invited. "K. and C." suits are guaranteed in fit and style, while the workmanship is the best, everything being under the personal supervision of the proprietors.

On page seven, of this issue Mr H. • T. Wood, chemist and optician, has a 3pecial word to say in regard to the science of optics and the fitting of glasses. -■ There is not a doubt that special attention is required in the fitting, of glasses, as if want of skill is 3hown permanent injury may result. Anyone, therefore, desirous of having their sight tested should go to one of tried skill and experience in this particular line, a/ich a? Mr H. T. Wood has proved himself.

Attention is drawn to the dealing sale of furniture to be held this afternoon by Messrs McQueen and Son. at Mr J. Elder's residence 53 Essex street. he goods are of high-claps order, and teing nearly new, should attract good competition. Particulars are to be found on page eight of this issue. FOR BABIES. There is no better medicine made for babies than CDatnberlain's Cough; Remedy. »; Its pleasant taste and prompt and effective „ ' euyes make' if & favonrite with'toothers' of s mall children.' »Tt' Quickly cures their o onghs and cold* and prevents pneumonia £ a#4 other serious consequences. Sold by gl chemists and storekeepers.

In a change advertisement elseI where Mr W. Home, cash grocer has a word to say on money saving. Customers are invited to call and test the valuea at his store.

Attention is drawn to a change advertisement inserted by Mr Newton King, the well-known land and estate agent, of Taranaki. The new list includes properties ranging in area from 112 acres to 1,500 acres, all of which have been specialy selected for this district. The particulars should be well worth perusal. The W.F.C.A. have an advertisement in another column drawing attention to their new season's importations of golf goods, which should be interesting reading to golf players. Hockey players have not been over-, looked, and a large seiection of their requisites have now arrived at their sports department.