LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10191, 17 March 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Trial bores for artesian water are about to be put down at Otaki. St. Patrick's Day will be observed m Mastqrton to-day as a close holiday by the Banks and public offices.

A bush fire of rather an extensive nature is burning at Kopuaranga, on the eastern side of the railway line.

The Wellington Harbour Board has provided hot and cold water shower baths for the use of waterside workers.

Mr T). McLaren, M.P., says that Parliament is very much like matrimony. Presumably he means that it is not difficult, now-a-days, to obtain a divorce.

Members of the Reform Party intend stumping New Zealand during the present recess. The Leader of the Opposition goes to the South very shortly.

The death occurred at Pukeroro on Thursday morning of Mr «*. 6. Ward. $ well-known farmer. Mr Ward bed the misfortune to be bitten by a reduit f spme months ag>: blood-potun-ing set in, and eventuated in his neath.

■ The full report of Mr P. 6. Morgan, M.A., Geologist, on the petroleum and other minerals of the.eastern Wairarapa has just reached . us. A precis of the report has already been published.

At the Supreme Court in Wanganui yesterday, Thomas Nolan, who was found guilty of threatening to burn down a house at Bulls and to shoot the inmates, was fined £3O, in default six mouths' imprisonment. The jury had recommended prisoner to the mercy of tho Court.

A boy. aged 14, the son of;,' a native named Chris. Smith, of Tahenui, near Nuliaka, was killed by a fall from a horse on Wednesday night. The boy and his sister were both on horseback, and both were thrown. The girl is not seriously injured. " . |

A just issued shows that three Associations were formed up tiii. June 30th last under tha provisions of the Land Settlement Finance Act. Of these, only one had been approved, which was an n?ea of 672 acres in Hawke's Bay.

The travelling expenses of Ministers of the Crown for the year ending 31st I March last amounted to £1554 6s 6d. The lion. R/: SfcKenzie* was easily first, with £3O« 3s'4d. Mr A,. Wi Hogg'sv travelling expenses during, the; few, months he was a Minister amounted to] : £l6l--&iv ; :.:p., ( /,K ; ',:^--^'>v;v;^ 'Boxing is .'likely to become a very ! popular pastime among the young meii i of Masterton during the coming win- | ter. With several football clubs, half-a-dozen hockey clubs, a gymnasium, and siindry other athletic institutions in operation, the muscles of the young folk of this community should not suf- | fer for the want of relaxation.

The other day the atmosphere of the Bruce County Council was redolent of small birdf eggs and heads. The clay's record was 185 dozen eggs and heads, supplied by a number of,local boys and girls. One girl brought 47 dozen, and proudly intimated that she had more at home!

The Masterton County Council has accepted the following tenderer— Wangaehu Road, 270 cub. yds. ,of metal repairs: S. Connell, £122 10s; painting Glendonald bridge:. J. F. Mason, £2B 10s; Miki'Miki Road, 20 chains of metalling: B. Leathwick, £64 ss; Matahiwi Road, 875 cub. yds. of mefcal/repaire, M. Kerins, The tenders of J. Cunningham*' B. Leathwick, &u\ D. C. Cameron for Railway Road (alternative) ha,ve been •referred to the County Chaiinian. ■ Some time ago Mr Marie Cohen, editor of the Dunedin Star, had a gold presentation Match, stolen from a. cabin on the Moeraki, whilst that boat was in the Wellington, harbour. A discription and the number of the .watch was piven to the police at t!i6 time, and last week Mr Cohen was pleased to receive advice to ohe that his watch had been ;ii3covereJ by a Sydney detective in a pdwn&buo in that city. The time-piece Las s inci> been received by its owner attsr an absence of over two 7ears. "The Maries—or Marys, or whatever they may be respectively termed—of New Zealand, have not-risen to the occasioh. They were given theoorp r portunity of distinguishing themselves by contributing" a, r shilling apiece towards- a fu/td to make a, Coronation gift to Queen Mary, Uut out of 55.555 Marys in the Dominion, only 372 could be found insane enough to contribute to this snobbish "Mary" fund. A much more popular appeal would be one in aid of a fund to enable some,of the Maries, or Marys, to "m-a-r-r-y."

The Masterton agent of the Labour Department, reporting to the Labour Journal on the conditions of local trade for the month ending February 28th says :—During the period just ended the conditions of trade and labour have mainiriined a fair level. The annual Agricultural and Pastoral show and ram fair held during the month considerably assisted, directly and indirectly, towards'the improvement of business throughout. Station workers are now fairly busy in connection with dipping operations; rabbit-poisoning has received a set back owing to the heavy rain experienced lately. Building trades are now rather quiet, due to the fact that several fair-sized jobs have just been completed, and a number of tradesmen are unemployed. Tenders have been accepted for a new Courthouse and some other buildings, so it is to be hoped that there will be ample work for carpenters and other tradesmen very soon.

Harvesting is practically completed in Southland, which is a. record. Some excellent yields-are reported.

A further consignment of forty-five draught horses w?.s shipped from the Bluff to Melbourne-on Monday last.

The new list of Justices of the Peace does not contain any additions, so far as Masterton is concerned.

The Masterton branch of the Farmers' Union would appear to be defunct. It has not held a meeting for the last six montiis, at least.

At the Supremo Court in Wellington yesterday, an order for administration was made in the estate of the late Mr Hugh Cameron, of Masterton, farmer. It may not be generally known that black ironsand is to be found on the beaches to the east of Masterton, especially norOi of the Mataikona river.

A slight shock of earthquake was felt in Wellington about 11 o'clock on Wednesday night. It was, apparently, not noticed in. Masterton.

Three settlers in the Thames Valley have consigned a trial shipment of fifty carcases of prime pork to London, and have, been guaranteed at least 4d per lb. '

Quite a number of the applicants for the position of Town Clerk and Engineer to the Borough of-Masterton were members of the Accountants Society. Neither of tliem was selected.

To-night Mr Bedford will lecture to a Taueru audience, and on Saturday night he will give an open-air address at the Masterton Post Office corner, when reference will be made to the Salmon pamphlet, "Prohibition a Blunder."

The examin* •• of the 'Life-Saving Society, who is> at present in Masterton, states' that it is somewhat remarkable that in the Old' Country the female members of the Society are more skilful life-savers than the men.

A seam of coal 7ft- or Bft thick is said to occvii*' - <ikmtli of Castlepoint. Mr-Morgans-Geologist, thinks it hardly possible, however, - that any really workable deposits of coal will be found between Otahome station and the Aohanga river.

colours of gold have been obtained from time to time at the head of the Mataikona river. The rocks hero are;of the same character, and probably of the same age as those forming the'Rimutaka aijd Tararua ranges. ;

The sitting' of; the Supremo Court" in Masteirton tluVraonth is the most important;, so far as the number, of cases js concerned•'' that' has:;been held.here since ?,thb:: circuit sittih gs were estab- ''■' ■'•:•.''■•■.•'■

The trout-fishing season closes at the end of the present month. So. far as Masterton anglers are concerned, the season has not' been over-profitable, the rivers and streams affording poor; ftshing during the past few months.

A disgraceful affair was witnessed an Queen Street, Masterton }. last evening. A party of young fellows we're standing talking in the middle of the thoroughfare, when a quarrel arose between two of their number. The dispute ended in several blows being exchanged, and the language used by the two concerned was by no means suitable for a public street.

'■' The Masterton Fire Brigade team, who'returned from Hokitika on Wednesday evening, speak very highly 1 of tlie treatment they received at the hands of those responsible during their stay at the Fir© Brigade Demonstrations. JSupt. Jenkins, who was in of the team, states that the tfrip could not have been better;' •

A.Picton telegram states that a Angesori, a^fireman , on Menkes,: .ivas joking wjih": Kis mates on Wednesday evening and dh-e-l injto the water from some steps. He struck the bottom, dislocating his neck, and died in the hospital a few hours later.

On Tuesday evening a serious accident befel Mr J. Doohan, whereby he sustained a compound fracture of one, of his legs. It appears he was driving b a brake at Kaiwaewae with Mr D. Alexander, when the horse bolted. Both gentlemen were thrown out, Mr Doohan sustaining a broken leg. Mr Alexander got off with severe bruises on the,elbows and knees'. Dr. Palmer attended, and Mr Doohan is progressing satisfactorily:' : ' ■ ■ " •■■

A Palmerston North telegram,states .that; great indignation , 'is expressed (generally.'as to. tlie proposed alteration in the train service, between Palmers-' ton and the Wairarapa. Particular exception is taken to the cancellation of the 7 a.m. Wairarapa train, which, under the suggested time-table, will leave Palmerston North at 4.45 a.m. The 7 a.m. train has proved most convenient, and surprise is expressed at the superceded train starting at the early hour stated. .

| At the meeting of managers of the j Masterton Technical School last .evening, the Secretary reported that the i. following instructors had. accepted reappointment for the current year:— Mrs Howell (dressmaking); Misses Mnnro and Butement (shorthand and typewriting); Mr Haslam (English, arithmetic and book-keeping); Mr 11. J. Foss (Civil Service subject, electric- ' ity and magnetism); Mr Lamb (mechanical drawing), and Mr E. P. Fenjton, (art master). The Secretary reported that enquiries had been mado in regard to the establishment of a class in chemistry, and it was decided to appoint. Mr Foss instructor in this subjects sufficient pupils were forthcoming.

Mr Drysdale, of the Yveraroa Experimental Farm, is at present in the South Island on the look out for suitable cattle for the farm.

A WoodviHe resident the other morn-* ing found that a horse belonging to him had been badly mutilated during the niglit.

A meeting is to be held at Alfredton on Saturday evening, with a view: of forming a Territorial troop. Mr C. C. Kebbell will preside.

A man named "Joe" Ryan was sentenced to three months' imprisonment at Pahiatua yesterday for using obscene language in a public thoroughfare.

The Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister for Tourists Resorts, mentioned to a reporter that he was going to do all he could to have paradise ducks protected this season.

The Chronicle says that a postcard addressed to Mr T. Vincent, of Levin, and posted in August, 1905, was delivered to.hSm last week. It had reached Levin in due time, but had got into some nook or cranny and had nestled there for five years or more.

Dairymen in the Wairarapa district' who are 1 feeding their cows on maize, report, that, despite the dry weather; their supply of milk has- been welt maintained, It is probable that maize will be grown more extensively in the future than it has in the past.

An accident occurred on Wednesday evening to Miss Bryant, who was residing at Government House, "Longwood." She was out walking, and stepped or fell into a deep drain, fracturing her ankle. Dr. Palmer was sent for, and after doing all he could to ensure her comfort had her sent to the Wellington Hospital.

Complete arrangements have been nftide by the organisers for St. Patrick's grand National concert, to be held in the Masterton Town Hall this evening. An excellent programme will be provided, after which dancing will bo indulged in> Being the first dance of the season; a.large •will probably avail themselves of Hhe opportunity. Supper will be supplied by the ladies' committee.

A case.in which" a 'good deal of interest was manifested engaged the attention of Mr L. G.'Reid, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, Pahi&tua, on Wednesday. W. I, Husband, land and commission agent,,Pahiatua, claimed the sum of £IOC from Frank i! numeration Fur services alleged to'have been rendered in connection" with: a building selteme. A,great%al;6f evidence

A birthday party which was recently held at Ronini, in'the Forty-Mile Bush, 1 ended disastrously. Some of the guests became over-jubilaht, and resorted to fisticuffs ;apd. riotous behaviour. They explained thingsinthe Magistrate's Court at PaEiatua on Wednesday; and Mr L. G. Reid, S.M., imposed such fines as will make future birthdaypartijes'moire decorous. V

A girl to assist is advertised for; no washing or cooking.

Opening entries for the next Solway stock sale are published by iihe Associated Auctioneers.

A full programme of the grand Benefit Concert in aid Of ;Miss Thelma Petersen will be published ur to-mor-;roW;S{Agei;n•'- 'r:^-i, : ..Vi.:-: -:--":-\:-y"> .

Mr J, M. Spear, v M.P.0.C., D.8.0.A.ji Doctor of Optics, will visit Masterton on Tuesday, -March 28th, and for, three days may .he, consulted at" the Club Cafe, Queen Street. *v

A conimittee meeting in connection with Miss Thelma, Petersen's Benefit Concert .-Will be held in the Dominion Hall:on Monday afternoon. ! A full attendance is requested..., ! s I Messrs J, Graham and Co;, .storekeepers, Masterton, advertise' a full slock of English enamel ware. AH kinds, of kitchen utensils; can be obtained in this everlasting ware, and is is warranted to give satisfaction.

The Wellington Education Board invite tenders for building work and repairs at Pahiatua,'which close at the Education Board Office, Wellington, at noon on Thursday, March 23rd.

.The finder of bicycle lost from Mintb Villa about a fortnight ago; is asked to .return same to Mihto■•Villa; Chapel Street. ' :• '-."'■'.

A reminder is given of IHadley's great annual bobt and shoe sale, which will commence/this morning. 1 Great reductions are announced in every Department, and those in search of bargains are invited to call and see for themselves the extensivehess of the range.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. are holding a special sale of thoroughbred horses on account of Mr Jas. Macara, at their stables, Dixon Street, on Friday,. March 24th, There are six unbroken fillies, and geldings by "Mauseiv n "The Workman," and "Saracen:"