LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10562, 19 February 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

A number of tourists —English, French and American—are now visiting the Waitomo Caves, with which thoy aro delighted. Largo consignments of tinned American fruit are at present arriving at Auckland Try the San Franeif«o steamers.

A number of stock exhibits for the Mastorton show arrived on. Saturday. Others will arrivo by special and ordinary trains to-day.

Tho Evening Post declares that the policy outlined in tho Governor's Speech is "tho programme of a cheapjack rather tha.u a- statesman."

A good apple crop is promised in Ca niter bury this season. There is a shortage, however, of pears and .plums.

It is reported that B. Fry berg, tho Now- Zealand swimmer, intends attempting to swim across Lake Rotorua.

Among the side-shows which will bo on exhibition at the Masterton show this week will be a "cycling whizz," a cowboy oircus, vaudeville entertainments, boxing.expositions, etc. Notice of the polling day and places for tho election of a Licensing Committee for tho Wairarapa Licensing District is advertised by the Returning Officer, Mr It. R. Armstrong. Only three or four men in the Wairarapa have failed to register under the Defence Act. Theso have l>een given a final reminder that persistent failure will end in Court proceedings.

At least one Native in the Masterton district appears satisfied with tho change in Government. ■ Ho has named his infant child, which was born •on December 14th, "Franklin Massey."

It is estimated that between £II,OOO and £12,000 was paid out for milk delivered to factories in the Pahiatua district during the month of January. The supply of mil3c to the Mangatainoka cheese factory on Friday was 1783 gallons, as against about 1400 gallons for tho corresponding period of last year.

The Mayor, Mr J. M. Coradinc, invites the public to observo'&'holiday.on Wednesday next from the hour of 12 noon, the occasion being "People's Day" of the Masterton show.

Mr J. Shout, .supervisor of the luncheon and tea departments at the Masterton show, has arrived with"his;'kitchen staff, and is completing arrangements for the opening of the show tomorrow.

Two large,marques and six army bell tents have been erected on the Ma inter ton showgrounds for the accommodation of stock attendants, who will procure their meals at the diningroom in the grand-stand. The Rev. T. It. Woolloxall, of, Ashbur'ton, states Most 'positively' that during the Jast •election- there' " were dead men who voted. He did not know .how they did it. A scrutineer challenged a, man who had ,iheen dead for two ■yews;.but he voit«.d just tho same.. ■'•", A very useful provision has been made on the Masterton showgrounds in the shape o$ indicator 'boards. These will be placed in different parts of the ground, and will point visitors.to the various appointments and exhibits. -

The latest advice from Wellington shews that the mediation of Mr I'. Hally in the meatiworks- strike lias not yet proved successful. ..The men scout the idea of returning to work until their demands are granted, while the companies are determined to remain iirm in their .refusal.

The localities from which patients came to the Masterton Hospital ' last year were as follows: —'Masterton Borough, 123; Masterton County, 65; Carterton Borough, 11; Wairaraipa South County, 13; Blenheim, 6; Mauriceville County, 29; Featherston 17; Martinfeorough, 4; Greytown, 3; Wellington, 8; Cross Creek, 2; Ekebahuna, 6; Palmerstoa North, 2; Sunday Island, Gisborne, Auckland, Westport, and S T apier, one each. The body of the young man Bernard McCarthy, formerly of Masterton, who was drowned in the Wanganui river, was recovered on Thursday three miles iaelow "tlie sceno of the accident. At an. inquest at Wanganui on Friday, the following verdict was returned: — "That the said Bernard McCarthy met his death on the 11th day of Feb-' ruary, 1912, at the AVanganui River, owing to tho swamping of a canoe whilst crossing a rapid at Ranana, from which ho was thrown out and accidentally drowned."

Reporting upon Ms last visit to the Masterton Hospital, tlio InspectorGeneral of Hospitals says:—"The wards wore in excellent order, and a better discipline seems to-reign. Miss Hay-ward, late matron of the Westport Hospital, was appointed in June last. Xorw that the Board, owing to Mr Buchanan's generosity, is enabled to erect a chronic• ancfinoiir'able ward at Greytowh, where the 'chronics now in the hospital could be sent, there will be ho need to erect new wards at the hospital for acute cases, as would otherwise have been the case. There is a reduction in cost of not less than £34 per bed, the reduction being noticeable in every department."

The usual monthly meeting of delegates of the Wairarapa Centro of the Now Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union wan held in the Dominion Hall on Saturday night, -Mr M. Lavery, President, in the chair. Correspondence w-a-s received from the Kopua-ranga Sports Club, complaining that the Amateur Athletic Association had decided to hold a sports meeting on Easter Monday, that day having been their recognised day for the past fifteen years. Prom the District Secretary (Mr H. H. Fraser), saying he would be in Masterton on Wednesday next, and would like to meet the delegates. Enquiries were made into the running of a competitor at Martinboroiigji under the name of "J .Coad." It was decided to appoint Mr M. Lavery to act as solicitor to the centre, lb w-as decided to ask the Gladstone Sports Club to send in all entry forms to the centre forthwith in accordance with the rules.