LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10209, 11 April 1911, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

General Booth," the founder of the Salvation Army, was eighty-two years of age yesterday.

A number of Masterton residents intend proceeding to the seaside for the Easter holidays.

Very satisfactory nominations have been received for the Kopuaranga Sports, to be held on Easter Mondav.

Another distinct shock of earthquake was felt in Masterton at 3.45 o'clbck on Monday morning.

A team of Carterton cricketers intend journeying to Manga tainoka on Good Friday, to play a match with the Mangatainoka club. An "anti-shouting" league has been formed at Blenheim, with a view to putting a stop to indiscriminate drinking.

The usual monthly meeting of the Friendly Societies Council, which was to have been held last evening, was adjourned on account of Bro. Phillipson's address in the Town Hall.

A Chinaman named Tee Wong was fined £5 in Wellington yesterday for smoking opium, and £lO for being in possession of opium suitable for smoking.

Owing to the short notice of his intended visit, the Wairarapa Caledonian Society finds it impossible to arrange a banquet to the Hon. R. McKenzie.

A Masterton settler who recently burnt' a straw stack, estimates that fully five hundred rats attempted to escape from the fire. Many of these were captured by dogs.

A flock race is to be flown from Blenheim in connection with the Masterton Homing Pigeon Club on Thursday. The birds are to-be hampered at 12.30 to-dav. 11

Complaints are made of the excessive speed at which motor-cars proceed through the main thoroughfares of Masterton. One of these fine days there will be an accident, and then questions will be asked.

The work of picking the grapes at the Tararua vineyard, in Masterton, was commenced on Saturday, when about a scoro of boys, under the direction of-Mr W. H. Jackson, put in a day among the vines. The area under grapes is about six acres, and the yield i?, a particularly good one.

The Kaiparoro correspondent of the Wairarapa Age writes:—"The improvements in the railway timetable are very much appreciated by residents of the Bush, though there is a feeling of disappointment that th.e pace at which trains travel is not ifr creased."

An address will be given in the Masterton Town Hall on Thursday, May 4th, byone of the delegates to the Irish Nationalist Party (consisting of Messrs Redmond, Donovan, and Hazelton.) Donations in aid of the cause will be received by Mr M. C. O'Connell, Treasurer.

■ A correspondent of the North Otago Tniws says:—''l have again had the pleasure of filling un the census paper with, I think, the three oldest persons in Ofinjp.ru under.one domestic roof, ard tiif'ir united ages tot up to 242 years."

The preliminary meeting of those interested in the formation of a new Thursday hockey club, held in Murray's Hall last evening, was adjourned until some future date after the' Meeting of the Wairarapa Hockey Association this evening. This is to enable the Club to have the benefit of some of the junior players who may be classified by the Association. _ -Thf settlers of Nireaha are anxiously enquiring as to the probable date when the local Domain will be handed over by the Education Board to the settlers of the district. The position is that the Education Board has been in correspondence for some months with the Land Board concerning an exchange, but no satisfactory arrangement has yet been come to. It is hoped that the exchange will be effected before the winter. j

The unusual sight of flies stopping a four-horse wagon was seen on the road between Oakura. and Okato on Thursday. The Opunake Times relates that the} were so thick tlfat the driver of the vehicle had to pull up to brush-the flies off his face and light his pipe. The insects clustered around butter and cheese crates in thousands. Tn fact every vehicle or object passing between Okato and Oakura carried a large quantity of insects, which are similar in appearance to the turnip fly.

The officer in charge of the Masterton corps of the Salvation Army recently yrrote to the Masterton School Committee, asking permission for Major Rowley to address the school children on the objects of the Antismoking and Anti-gambling League. The Army has received a rpply from the Committee, which, it is understood, favoured religious instruction in schools, to the effect that it regretted that, for various reasons, the permission. asked for could not be granted.

The Carterton News breaks out as follows: —The Masterton Racing Club is delightfully impudent! On Saturday at its steward's meeting it fixed the dates for its spring meeting for October 26th and 27th, and its secretary was instructed to acquaint the secretary of the Wairarapa A. and P. Society of the dates applied for, and ask the Association not to clash by holding their show on those dates. The dates for the show were, months a.go, fixed for Wednesday and Thursday, October 25th and 26th. The Masterton Racing Club has now deliberately decided to make its first race day on the 26th (People's day of the Wairarapa Show), and coolly asks the Wairarapa Society "not to clash f"

A movement is afoot fco> start am A. and P. Association) a»t Taihape.

The Christchurch Musical and Elocutionary Competitions Society held its annual ; competitions last week.

The Irish blight has spread 1 practically all over the State of Victoria, andi it has been decided that, it is useless toi qua rantino further districts!.

The schools in tho Masterton l district will be closed from Thursday afternoon until Wednesday morning for the Easter holidays..

Mr N. H. James, secretary of the Wairarapa Hunt Club, has received: ai communication from His Excellency, the Governor to the effect that he will bp pleavsed to beeomea patron of the Club.

Few persons are probably awarethat Charles Darwin, the naturalist, visited New Zealand so long ago: as 1835. He was a passenger in the sloop Beagle, Captain Fitzroy.

At the Annual meeting of the Farmers' Union at Palmerston North on' Saturday, Mr R. Gardner severely criticised the Valuation Bill and' its effect, stating that he intended 1 to prepare remits dealing with this much*--vexed question for the annual' Provincial Conference.

Up till last evening, Charles Gurote\ who was committed for trial' iir Mas-ter-ton on a charge of t-lieft, was unable to procure bail. Tt is probable, therefore, that he will bo taken fcp" Wellington to-day. The country surrounding tiie springs' at Puriri, 12 "miles from the Thames, from which the well-known mineral' water is obtained, has been found' to be eminently suitable for fruit-grow-ing. The Agricultural Department has just selected seven lots of apples grown by Mr Charles M'Liver iir that locality for exhibition in London during the Coronation.

There are afc present only three' patients in the Pahiatua Hospital.

The Pahiatua County Council, at its last meeting, resolved that . the county should in future consist of nine single ridings, instead of ' five, as at present.

Owing to tlie drought the quantity of butter manufactured' by the Barlance Coroperative Dairy Company during the month of Marclt showed a decrease of 340 boxes, or nearTy 8 tons, as compared' with the corresponding month of 'last year.—Herald. A four-roomed cottage at Konini, owned by Mrs Schcrfield, and occupied by Mr Joseph "Moore and family, was tQtally destroyed by fire on Thursday evening with its contents. The origin is unknown. Mr Moore was absent on his farm holding at Taumaruntii at the time of tlie outbreak. This is the second fire at Konini within a week.

The ordinary meeting of the Stones henge Lodge, TT.A.O.D., was held in Masterton last evening, Bro. Miles presiding. Two candidates were initiated", and' two proposed for membership. The meeting then adjourned in order to allow the' members to attend the meeting in the Town Hall.

Major Rowley gave a lecture at the Salvation Army Hall in Masterton last evening, the subject being, "Three National Sins" —drink, gambling, and smoking. In the course of his lecture, the speaker defined gambling as "scientific fraud," giving instances and illustrations in support of the contention. Dealing with cigarettesmoking among boys and youths, he quoted several eminent English authorities who were united in their denunciations of the habit, also pointing to the fact that many firms in the colonies and America, especially the large American Railway Companies, decline to employ those addicted to the weed. The lecture was interspersed with a few songs from the children of the Sunday School.

Tte usual meeting of the 1.0. R. was held in the Dominion Hall. Masterton, last night, at 7 o'clock, Bro. Phillipson. High Chief Ruler.,, of England, presiding over a large gathering of members. visitors from Wellington, Levin and Carterton being present." One new member was initiated 1 into the Order, after the welcome was extended to the visitors by the local Chief Ruler, Bro. Pearce. The Tent was favoured with a spirited address from Bro. Phillipson, which closed with' a conveying of greetings from the head of the Order at Home. The meeting then adjourned to the Town Hall. A quantity of household furniture, nearly new, is advertised for sale.

Train arrangements for the Easter holidays f ( re advertised elsewhere.

A well built, commodious house, in central locality, is advertised to let. The business premises of Mr C. E. Baniell will be closed for holidays on I rid ay, Saturday, and Monday next. Two three-year-old springing heifers a,re advertised for saie by Mr L. P. Larsen, Mauriceville West.

The Land and Income Tax Department elsewhere gives notice that returns of land must be furnished not later than May let.

The Associated Auctioneers of Masterton notify that their premis&s will be closed to business from Thursday evening, 13th inst., until Wednesday morning, 19th inst.

hot gross buns.

Two pounds of flour, one ounce of compressed yeast, one ounce of mixed .spice, three gills of milkj a quarter or a pound of butter, a quarter of a pound of caster sugar, a quarter of a pound of currants, two ounces of candied peel, two eggs. Mix half a pound of flour and the spice together. Put the yeast and a teaspoonful of caster sugar into a small basin, and mix with a wooden spoon until liquid. Make the milk lukewarm and pour it on the yeast, mixing it in smoothly with a wooden spoon. Then cover the basin and let it stand in a warm place for about half an hour. Put the rest of the flour into a large basin, rub the butter into it, add the currants, the peel cut very finely, and the sugar. When the sponge'is ready,- beat it into the flour with the hand until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together. Continue beating until you can pull the lump of dough <,ut of the basin without any sticking to it. Cover, the basin again, place it in a warm place until the surface is covered with cracks. Have ready greased baking tins. Shape the mixture into the familiar bun forms, put them in the baking tins, and bake in a quick oven for about half an hour. Serve with the "Mikado" Brand of Tea, and the family will be delighted. The Mikado Brand Tea costs only Is 6d per lb, and is the cheapest good quality tea on the market. It brews a fine, strong liquor, and the flavour is a revelation AlmosS all grocers sell this tea.

An advertiser has a 6-roomed house, li seres ground, to let in South Road. Further particulars may be obtained at this. office.

The date of the next Masterton wool, skin, hides, and tallow sale has Been altered from April 19"fch to May 31'sfc.

The W.F.C.A., who purchased Mr L. J. Hooper's stock for 9s 4sd in the £ spot cash, have decided to sell it at Mr Hooper's premises for cash only. A big staff is at present employed' marking off the bargains. The date- of the sale wiTI be announced later.

Messrs Watson and Co. announce the* arrival of a large stock of newly imported goods at their drapery establishment, Queen Street. These lines have been all specially selected, and embrace all the latest and newest materials. A special price list of the goods is advertised on tho front page of this morning's issue.

I Mr J. Scorrar elsewhere notifies • farmers and stock-buyers of Master,ton and district that he has secured ; the lease,'of the luncheon rooms at the ; Sol'way saleyards, and that after to- | morrow (Wednesday) luncheon will be lon every sale day from II a.m. Light : refreshments and' afternoon tea will also' be available. The rooms are spacious and thoroughly up-to-date, and it is Mr Scorrar's intention to conduct ■ them on the best possible lines.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., has received instructions from Ma«srs G. H. Shute ons ' Fernridge, whose lease expires shortly, to sell the cattle, ,slieep, horses, implements, poultry, and furniture, on the property at the i Fernrid'ge. The sale wilf take place on Tuesday, April 25th. Full details of the sale will be advertised later.