LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10003, 26 March 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest return from the Mystery Flat is 18ozs and 2dwts for 128 hours' workng.and that from the Masterton Dredge is 25 ounces for 114 hours working. A Church Parade of the members of the Masterton Mounted Pifles will take place at St. Matthew's Church to-morrow. . The services to-morrow at Knox Church will be taken by the Rev Bain McDonald, M.A., at Kopuaranga Mr E. Feist will conduct the services and at Wangaehu Mr J. Tocker. The Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers* Company, Ltd., reports that up to February 28th itsoutputof fruit for this season totalled 47,000 cases. For the same period last year the output reached only 19,000. Rev, C. Porter will take both services at the Methodist Church tomrrow. Mr A. Snowball will take the Euripuni service in the morning, x Mr Rogers in the evening, and" Rev. C. Porter at Rangitumau in the afternoon. This evening the Masterton South Brass Band will, weather permitting, render a programme of .music on Mr J. L. Murray's balcony,, and also on. the School grounds, to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2.30 o'clock. The Bandsmen will appear in uniform. The wool classes in connection with the Masterton Technical School will commence on Tuesday evening next, fersons desirous of joining the classes are requested to meet the instructor, Mr S. Wood, between the hours of 7 and 9 o'clock that evening. The following team will represent the Mauriceville Rifle Club in a match with the Alfredtortlpifle Club at Alfredton on Easter Monday:—R. F. Wilton (captain). F W. H. Kummer, C. Blewett, A. Larser, A. R. Wilton, A. M. Rose, E. FJ. Dage, D. H. Rutherford, W. Welc\ H. N. Wilton.

No doubt through scarcity of other food the slarlinc, in the Qamaru district at least, has developed a pro nensity for grain and fruit-eating. Of all the birds it has (say* a loca) paper) earned the reputation of beirg the most destructive on fruit, ( an.d :he good name 'that the bird previously: bore has been almost discounted by its latter mode of living.

It will' be good news to motorists on both sides of the Ranges that the Manawatu Gorge road is now available for motor traffic, says the "Manawatu Timeß," and the journey from Dannevirke to Palmerston is now frequently made by this means of conveyance. The Mayor ot Dannevirke made the trip to Palmerston and back last week, doing the journey on bofti occasions in an hour and a-haif.

In response to"the Wanganui Education Board's suggestion that it should establish junior and v senior technical scholarships, the Council of the New Zealand Society of Accountants has replied that the suggestion is favourably considered, and that the matter will be taken in hand as soon as the regulation of the Society have been approved by the Goveruor-in-Council.

The following are the handicaps in connection with the Quoits Competition at the Kopuaranga Sports on Monday next, Messrs J. H. Pauling and T. Wyeth being the handicappers:—K. Hunt owe 3, H. C. Christensen and E. Petersen scr," H. Chamberlain rec 2, J. Nicholson rec 4, H. Hunt rec 5, A. E. Reader rec 5, S. Tankersley rec 6.

The miners at Waihi have decided that when a tatal accident occurs in a local mine work in that particular mine shall cease until after the funeral. Last week two men were killed in the Waihi Company's mine, and for two days subsequently no underground work was carried un, all the deceased's fellow-employees refraining from labour until after the remains of the deceased were interred.

"During all the years I have been connected with politics," said a Christchurch member of Parliament to a reporter, "1 have never known a time when the people have taken less interest in public affairs. Politics are 'deader' than they have ever been before." "I will guarantee," said another, member, a visitor to Christchurch, '"that if a political address were advertised in Christchurch next week it would not be attsnded by fifty persons."

The Morman .Elders will hold religious services in Master ton in the Kuripuni Hall to-morrow, at 7 p.m. The Elders state that the old prejudices over polygamy are rapidly dyin£ out, as people learn that polygamy is a thing of the past with them, and that they neither teach nor practice it,and that in'so far as their desire for helping and elevating humanity Masterton should, afford a good field of labour.

At the conclusion of last night's meeting of the Teachers' Convention, which was held in Kiiox Church, Mr Purcell Webb, the Church's Organist gave a short organ recital, which was listened to attentively, and much appreciated by the large audience. Among the pieces rendered were "Impressions Du Soir (Stiehl), "Chorus of Angels" (Clark), and a brilliant fanfare by Ascher. All the items were p'ayed by the organist with fine technique and expression, and at the close of the performance Mr Jas. McGregor, senr., proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Webb, which was carried by acclamation. Preparations are now complete for the military sports to be held on Easter Monday in the Showgrounds, and present weather conditions continuing, the meeting should be a pronounced success. The tea-room and refreshment booth are in capable hands, and the Ground Committee, under Sergtj; Bannister, have made arrangements so that all events can be run off in quick succession. In addition to the ordinary prizes, a valu - able trophy has been presented by Surgeon-Captain uook for the competitor who gains most points during the meeting. A stiong detachment from the Wellington Highland Rifles, with attendant piperb, will lend additional life and colour to the gathering. It was reported in the Melbourne papers recently that a boy named Leslie Pratt, who had resided with his parents at North Carlton, was drowned while bathing in the Yarra. Deceased, with two .companions, went down to the river at Abbotsford, between 8 and 9 p.m., and entered the water at a spot known as "the basin." As one of the boys was swimming across the river he heard a cry of ''Help!" He turnd back immediately, and saw Prate struggling in the water. When he got close enough Pratt took hold of his legs and pulled- him under the water twice. After several desperate efforts he reached the bank with Pratt clinging to, his legs. Just as he grasped a bush deceased let go his hold and sank.

The granting of free school books was soundly condemned by Mr John Jamieson at the meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board, and he declared outright that the scheme was a failure and was not wanted. It would be far more satistactory to discontinue the free books and reinstate the amount of 9d per head for incidental purposes. The co§t of free books for the whole Dominion has been £2.162 9s Bd, and the incidental allowance £1,894 19s 3d, so that all the money needed for free books waa the balance of £267 10s sd. Uniformity of «f>hool books for children moving from place to place was required, not free books, for they caused a curtailment of selfreliance amongst children, and unnecessariy increased the work of the teacher in an already wide syllabus.

Mr F. P. Darcy, who disappeared mysteriously laot week, and whosa clothes were found on the beach near Wellington, has had several narrow escapes. At the time of the Elingamite disaster he was swimming about in the sea for over two hours before being picked up, and about four years ago he came very, near being frozen to death through being accidentally locked in the freezing chamber at the Islington works, where he was employed at the time. After being there some six or seven hours he escaDefl I by crawling through an opening, deI signed not.for man, but for the cold | blast which entered the room from the freezing machinery. On getting through .this aperture he was completely exhausted arid lay on-the floor of tie adjoining mom until found by ►"thos-a\>wh.o .were*searching: for him.. Darry was to have ' been married in .May next.* lie , was; fcell kiiownjn •TJmaru> by ; . - Labour* -<men ;(says ine. <• Herald") j and was well liked by all w uh wnom he came ii contact.

Evidence of the early harvest in Southland this season is found in the railway grain returns. To this date, in 1989, the number of sacks of grain carried on the Southland sec- ! tion of railways was 16,750, while this year already over 55,000 sacks have been railed. Owing to Burns, the American heavy-weight ex-champion boxer of the world, having upset his system by too fond an indulgence in cucumbers, and having thus interfered considerably with his, training, his match against Lang, the Australian champion "heavy," which was fixed for Easter Monday in Sydney, has been put back to 20th April The match is for the heavy-weightscham-pionship of Australia.

Industry was rewarded in a practical manner at a recent meeting of the Waikouaiti County Council. This was in connection with the collection of dog taxes. On-its being shown that this year's collector had brought in £53 12s 6d, as against £4B 12s 6d last year, and £4O 10s for the previous year, it was resolved that the remuneration given t3 the collection should be increased from 3d to 6d per dog. It was reported that the collector took an interest in his work, though no confirmation was given to the suggestion that this was perhaps because he had once been bitten!

.''There seems to be a vers favour-1 able opinion of the Dominion at Home," said Mr H. P. Stark, manager of the Greymouth branch of the Bank of New South' Waleq, in a brief chat with a "New Zealand Herald" representative last week. Mr Stark, who has : been touring in the Old Country and abrosd for a year, found evidences that New Zealand's credit was very sound in Great • Britain. "The Dreadnought gift," he . said, "is largely responsible for the [ good feeling existing It has made New Zealand very 'sweet' with the British peope. This has had a good effect in financial quarters, and the Home attitude towards our mining investments is also on the mend." *| A most serious result from a lighted candle was very narrowly averted in Hawe'ra at about seven o'clock, on Thursday morning (says the "Star"). In order to attend to her baoy a mother.lit a candle and presently fell asleep., Some time 1 tter the smell of smoke upstairs arrested the husband's attention, and upon rushing to the room whence the smoke was issuing discovered the bed-clothes alight _ and blazing all' along the side, the k'apoc mattress burning' and the bedstead itself deeply charred. On the bed the mother and child lay sleeping, the unconsciousness already made deeper from the effects of the smoke. To arouse and rescue the sleepers was the first task, and .the blazing bedclothes were then rolled in a heap, partially smothered, and flung out the window. .

An aged big bay gelding has strayed away, and the finder is requested to Mturn to Mr .Thomas Hart, Lansdowne.

Members of the Amateur Theatrical Society are requested to note that the weekly rehearsal will not tajce place this evening owing to the holidays.

Messrs Husband and Finch, land agents, Woodville, have numerous enquiries for leasehold properties. Any farmer who is disposed to lease his farm, or to sell it on easy terms, should send full patriculars ' to this firm at once.

Now that winter is approaching proper protection of man and beast should be attended to : Elliott's horse and cow covers, riding coats, and buggy aprons fill the bill, because of their undoubted quality, always a strong point with the people who run the popular Elliott Saddleries in Queen Street.

An exclusive show of curtain hang ings and art coverings is the feature of Hyde and Co.'s advertisement this week, on another page. Some charming effects are obtainable from this style, of decoration and the fact that they are not costly makes it easy to give that artistic touch to homes where expense would be a strong bar. The Alpha and Omega of a lady's dress is millinery. Some charming models are now advertised by Measrs Graham and Co , in which they make prominent the bicorne and tricorne shapes lor winter, besides the coming' hat with the large and small brim tilted to show beauty of face. A call at this store is,, requested, and satisfaction assured.

Mr A. Hendry draws special attention to three special items of value in the notable Kaiapoi manufactures, viz:, .all wool overcoats, box suits and tweed trousers. All lines are quoted at exceptionally easy price and the goods are well worth inspection.

If you should suggest to any amateur photographers the idea of taking pbrtra ts of children, you would find that instead of meeting the suggestion with enthusiasm, they - would exhibit something very much like panic, yet those whd have made a practice of photographing children, say that notj only are they more attractive subjects for photography than adults, but also they are' quite as easy to mansecr-- and arrange if riJey are rightly handled j they are less censcious of their when in front of the camera, and far more naturally graceful and adaptable, From 3 to 6 years is the best age for picturr ' -iking, then little folks are full of iiuagnation and fancy, and they are as playi'ii' and unconscious as kittens. - The most batisfactory place for making a picture of % child is at home, and that is where i> . amateur photographer has an advantage over the professional. At the studio all the usual arrangements, ana the fact that it is a strange place, makes it hard to get a natural, and impossible to get a lively or jolly portrait. The best results are obtained by the Kodak, for the roll films, developed in the Kodak Tank Developing Machine are in every way superior to those producedHn the old way. And then there's the great convenience of no dark room being required. Everyone who photographs or isabout to take up photography should at onie take advan'tage of the Imperial Camera Co.'s offer; The Co. will send FREE of any charge whatever, a valuable illustrated book on photography, containing nearly 30C pagea. This book is of the greatest assistance to the amateur m the matter of details, advice etc., and also gives prices of all cameras and necnssaneg. SEN I TO.DAY'for it; A postcard will bring ii to you by retnrn mail, f-rom the Imperial Camera Co.. 42 Willis-street, Wellingtor

Customs ana '.torwarding Agect»*-J J, CUETIS A, CO., .Customhouse Quay \7'^^^P^''^i<HU''<il^>^.7iour..' goods ,and forward to ybttj' Or' you may consign- goods* to them,,and they will forward to .their ultimate destination. Moderate charges.

At the Wellington Farmers' Meat •*& Company's meeting on Thursday one speaker remarked be thought Mr Bicknell deserving a vote of thanks tor bringing about the meeting, rhere had been ajl sorts of rumours »float v which tended to create distrust in the minds of shareholders and intending shareholders. The fall and explicit statement ot the chairman had cleared the atmosphere of all fogs and winds of misconceptions.. Public confidence would be strengthfined and the company!s prospects-, fairer than ever. The Rev. A. Hodge will conduct ~; the servit <; •in the Congregational ) Ghurch on dunday, the subjects beingadvertised elsewhere. In connection * with the Wellington Sunday School Union Conference a united prayer meeting will be held in the same church at lu o'clock. This morning Mr A. Henderson,, jeweller, will make a special display of a consignment of high class wedding presents, which has just been opened up. The new goods are a most exclusive lot, the designs throughout being most artistic, while the workmanship is of the highest order. The suggestions for wedding presents include combined cake dishes and flower stands, entree dishes, egg J boilers, cajce baskets, muffin dishes, J rose bowls, silver mounted salad bowls, silver -mounted claret jugssugar and cream jugs in cases, silver cake forks, sweet dishes, in cases, chafing dishes, silver tea caddies in cases, manicure sets, silver cream jugs, tea and , coffee services, bread scoups, and numerous other lines too numerous to mention. • The only certain protection from tha effects of a bad cold or harassing cough, is TUSSICUJiA.. •