LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10589, 22 March 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The members of the Masterton Fire Brigade held an outside practice last evening. The latest return from the Masterton dredge is 1 2-~>ozs. 18dwts. for 123 hours. Recent visitors to Taupo report that the roads are in n shocking state, and in some places the mud is more than axlo deep.

A sale of work is to be held in Mastorton on May 9th next, the proceeds of which will be in aid of the funds of the Ma.sterton liaptisfc Church. Mr J. C. Uoddington reports that there were 8 points of rain registered at the Upper Plain for the 24 hours preceding 0 a.m. yesterday. The Masterton Homing Pigeon Club will hold their next race from Wellington, when the birds will be liberated singly at 10 minute intervals.

A Timaru press message states that over 200 applications for twenty-six lots in the subdivision of the Sheis wood Downs run, were examined yesterday, in view of the ballot which is to bo held to-day.

Hie Governor, Lord Islington, expressed himself recently as greatly pleased with the Territorial encampments which he saw in the Waikato, and considers that the appearance and conduct of the men was most exemplary. Sir John Findlay told a representative of the Age last night that the appointment of a successor to Mr Waldegrave as Under-Secretary for Justice had not yet been considered. It might, he said, be necessary to go outside for a man.

Surf-bathing, which is such a popular pastime in many of New Zealand's seaport towns, has not been a success this season, owing to the very unfavourable weather conditions, which did not-tempt bathers to indulge freely in their favourito sport.

It may not be generally known that 1 according to the revised Act it is the duty of any member of a school committee oc teacher to report any case of a pupil being mentally defective. A heavy penalty can be imposed if this matter is neglected. Notwithstanding the .alleged scarcity of bacon pigs the Waikato Farmers Co-operative Bacon Company continues to get ample supplies, noless than. 750 coming to hand la st week. The "•company- are now laying in a large stock oi frozen.-pork which will insure a regular output of bacon and hams during the ensiling winter. lii conversation with an Age reporter last night-, Sir John Findlay stated that lie did not expect that the result of the caucus of the Liberal Party would l>c known until late today. The position, ho said, was an exceedingly difficult one, and. there was 110 telling what might- happen. A combined practice of choir and Sunday School scholars of Knox . Church will be held in the church to- , night at 7.30 sharp. As the anniversary services will be held 011 Sunday week, those assisting with the special music in hand are requested to be at the practice to-night-. I Christ-church is carrying out some experiments in road making. In one instance a few chains of thoroughfare have been prepared with loose metal and dressed with tar. The work has been done only a couple of days, and has had scarcely-time to settle, but already there is a hard and even surface which could hardly be improved upon. Tho Victorian Agent-General has arranged for 14,000 berths for immigrants for the present year and the two to follow. The various" shipping companies with which contracts have been made have decided to construct seven new steamers, 'five of which will be reserved for \ictorian immigrants only. Each of these new steamers will possess refrigerating space for 100,000 carcases. An Oliukunc dairy farmer considers he has a claim for a good milking record. From a herd of 29 cows he has for the six months ending February, drawn a cheque for £356 5s '2d. November's cheque was £63 13s Id. Six of the herd were ift milk all through the winter. Owing tb the much more favourable weather, his six months' takings are £l5O more than for the same period of last year. The Ivla.sterton Homing Pigeon Club held a young bird race from Ormondville yesterday, being an airline distance of 67 miles. The weather was not favourable to fast time, the sky being shadowy and -overcast. Following are tRe results:—W. Drake's "Manchester II," 879 yards per minute, 1; J. Dixon's "Electricity, 878 yds, 2 A. Miller's "Sunrise," 878 yds, 3. The winner secures Mr C. E. Daniell's trophy.

A neat reply, -which may be of some value to the English suffragettes, remarks the Melbourne Argus, was made by the Victorian. Treasurer (Mr Watt), when he was asked whether he was-prepared to recommend the Cabinet to adopt the suggestion of the Australian Women's Association., and make it compulsory for all women to wear hat-pi:i protectors. "I suppose, ' he remarked, "that this is the latest phase of the new protection. Before pronouncing definitely upon it I must consult my wife."

The animal meeting of the Masterton Municipal Brass Band was held in the practice room oil "Wednesday evening, Bandsman H. Dixon presiding over a fair attendance of members. Routine business was transacted, and the following executive were elected for the ensuing year Bandmaster, Mr J. Elder; Sergeant, Mr L. Sayer; Corpora I, Mr B. ltickard's; Secretary, Mr W. It. Andrews; Treasurer, Mr R. Gray ; Custodian, Mr B. Rickards; Assistant Custodian, Mr 0. W. Walker. Committee, officers ex officio, and Bandsmen W. Bayers, S. Burnett, W. Barrett, C. Stewart, and C. W. Walker.

The South Pole has been discovered by Captain Amundsen, and it is very gratifying to know that this last outpost has now been attained. But it is more gratifying to know the people of this Dominion have discovered the remarkable qualities of Mikado Blend Tea. It is a tea that pleases everyone, and eosts only Is 6u per lb.

Did you notioe the report about the big Ghristclhurch Wool Sale held the other day? It stated: ''Last month there were only a few lots (of merino) on offer, and these were not much sought after. Prices were disappointing. Yesterday the local mi lie came to the rescue, and any merino offered brought its FULL VALUE." There's another reason why you should buy KAIAPOI CHothiing. Keep your money circulating here.

A largo and up-to-date residence :s being erected in Martinborough tor Mr Charles Harris. The New Zealand Sports Protection League is making great headway on the West Coast of the South Island, and the membership is rapidly increasing. Frederick Butterfield, licensee of the Wimbledon Hotel, was fined £lO yesterday with .€22 8s costs, and ' ia( ' his license endorsed for permitting drunkenness on his premises. , The owner of a farm on the Waimate Plains, it is said, has more than once sold the property and then-, repenting his decision, has paid the purchaser a substantial sum to cry off the bargain. The TCltham Borough Council lias let its new Municipal Hall for picture, entertainments for three nights n week —Tuesdays, Thursdays, ami Saturdays—for a period of five years, for the sum of £8 per week. It is stated that a son of a Nelson resident, who left New Zealand soma months ago to escape his liability under the Defence Act, has now joined the Territorial force in Scotland. Sports clubs in the Auckland district which hold sports this mouth are endoa.vou.ring to secure the appearance of A. *B. Post-10, the. world's champion runner, which would no doubt create a great attraction.

The work on the Gisborne-Xapicr railway is progressing rapidly, and a large gang of men are now engaged on various parts of the.line. The contractors are still experiencing difficulty in procuring sufficient labour.

Deerstalkers will be interested to learn that the portion of the Tararua Forest reserve to be opened to thenV is that in the counties of Eketalnina, Mauriceville, and Mnsterton, as defined on the licenses when issued. All the rest of the reserve is closed.

The authorities in Taranaki are very strict in regard to excessive driving by motorists. One motorist was tripped recently, while driving round a turn at what was considered an excessive, speed, and proceedings are likely to follow. -v

According to an exchange, the backcountry of some of the West Coast districts is rendered practically useless for .agricultural or grazing purpose'-., so great is the growth of blackberry. Hundreds of acres of good productive land are overgrown by the pest, which has spread to such dimensions that it is almost impossible to cope with it. " . Another alleged' slander case,in which Sarah Emma Armstrong claims from Charles Bowles, of Waihakeke. a sum of £5Ol to be heard in the Supreme Court "at Mastertoii this morning. >Mr Gray, of Welliugtoh, instructed by Mr Coleman Phillips, will appear for the plaintiff, and Mr P. L. Hollings for the defendant. A witness persisted in addressing His Honor Judge Edwards in the Supreme Court at 'Masterton yesterday as "your Worship." Tho learned | Judge endured the indignity for a ! time, but at length protested, "Don't ! address me with a title which does notI belong to me! Call me sir, if you like; but not your Worship!"

The Very Rev. Dean McKenna paid a compliment to the Masterton Pipe Band on Wednesday evening, whilst speaking at St. Patrick's concert. The Dean said It was a splendid thing to see a num'ber of men band themselves together for the purpose of interpreting their native music, and he thought that the Masterton Band would he a credit to any town in New Zealand. Needless to "state the Dean's, remarks were received with loud applause. A man in the Auckland district engaged in rabbit-trapping was recently brought before the court to answer a charge of cruelty to animals, by keeping alive rabbits which had been trapped and had .their .legs broken The Court took , a lenient view of the case and imposed a light fine.Sharks have been making frequent appearances this season in Auckland waters, and a bather recently had a narrow escape from one of the moil sters and it was only by fast swimming' and 'by making as much noise as possible that he reached the shoie after having his leg slightly lacerated. Messrs 0. Pragnell and S. Inder, of the Masterton Bowling Club, who aie the holders of the Grady been challenged to a matchi lg Mos is Benton and Eventqn of ton Club.- The match will take place, iMvoatlio!- permits, oil the Mnsterton green to-morrow afternoon. In referring to the frozen rabbitindustry of New Zealand, a wellknown rabbit exporter of Marlboiough states that- the industry is not in a very flourishing condition, chiefly o"n----intr to the strong competition .of Australia, which exports frozen rabbits on a very large scale-, and wh.ere more attention is given to grading and the mode of killing. In New Zealand the prices obtained for skins are- hotter than in "Australia.

Chinese fruiterers, who have been excluded from gaining a footing m Christc'hurch for a number ot years now seem to have scored an anc already there is a Chinese fruit-shop doing a thriving business, and it is stated that a new Chinese turnis starting business in the Cathedral Cit. as a fancy goods merchant.

The jury in the slander case heard, at MastSrton yesterday asked Judge Edwards iT it could return a threefifths majority verdict. His -H-onoi, •forgetting, probably, that he was m a no-licenso district, .said that it could not. It could, li o w ever, return a three-fourths majority verdict it tJiere was'no chance of it being unanimous. It returned accordingly.

FOUR GREAT PIANOS. The BROADWOOD! The RONISCH! The LIPP! STEINWAY! The Dresden Piano Company has just received a b-ig new shipment- of these famous pianos, all new instruments, in brilliant condition and tone, lime payments if desired. The Dresden system of deferred payment is so reasonable that clients scarcelv miss the instalments. Moreover, those who buy in. this way are only charged legitimate catalogue prices. This firm carries the largest stock of pianos in New Zealand, and has instruments from the highest to the lowest price, so that all can be readily suited. Intending purchaseis can be assured that they will receive courteous consideration and every possible attention. The DRiESDEN PL*NO COMPANY, LTD., WELLINGTON. North Island Manager: M. J. Broekes. Full particulars from the Local Representative, B. Inns, Daniel!'s Buildings, Queen Street.

Angling on forty-one days at Taupo,. two Irish tourists caught 990 fish, weighing 2 tons 11 ewt. It is understood that from ten to twelve milking machines will be installed in the Eketahuna district in readiness for the next milking season.. , Mr O. Schnltz, formerly of Masterton. but now of Parkvillo, met with a painful accident on Monday, whereby he broke a small bone of the leg. A South Island newspaper, states that a farmer in the Balclutha district, has been, left heir to a very largo fortune, running, it is said, into millions. The prospective heir'.'has srong documentary evidence to uphold his claims. A young man named Walter Donghai was arrested at Aohanga on Sunday on a charge of housebreaking at Ormomlville. He was remanded to the latter place, and was taken through on Tuesday by Constable Cattanach, of Pongaroa. The payments made to suppliers at. the Kaiparoro and Rongokokako choose factories on Wednesday totalled £635 and £532 respectively. The payments were at the rate of an advance of Is per lb of butter-fat. The majority of dairy farmers m Taranaki have installed or shortly intend installing dual plants, so .that butter and cheese may be manufactured to suit market prices. At the present time the price paid for chees(* makes its manufacture much more profitable than butter.

Residents in various parts of Taranaki are at present greatly interested in the apparent presence of coal in their districts. The coal is being tested by experts, and if results prove as satisfactory as expected, it is quite probable that coal mining will be an important feature in the future, development of the famous dairying district.

."I attributo my present position, r.o the land boom of 1908," stated a judgment debtor from Wellington in tiie Eketalnina Magistrate's Court onTuesday. "Then you have been speculating," reriiarked counsel for the plaintiff. "Your assumption is entirely wrong," replied the debtor. "I am two or three hundred pounds to the had through others who had speculated being unable to pay me."

Jt would appear that the high prices obtaining for butter-fat this season and the prospect of a continuance next season has caused the value of heifer calves to go up with a bump. An Eketa'huna settTer who contemplates enter- . ing thc iildustiy next season informed ail "Express" reporter tHat he had to pay-£4'/ss-si fiead'-'for a line of crossbred heifers .between'' lo and IS months' old. ; ' " -

The weekly meeting of Endeavour Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was held in the Foresters' Hall, Masterton, last evening. There was a good attendance of members, presided over by Sister Mrs Flanagan, C.T. Routine business was transacted; A hearty vote of thanks was accorded, Bro. Symes for altering and fixing up the lodge notice board. It was decided to meet at at 7.30 p.m. during the winter months. The item on the syllabus was Irish readings and recitations. Several of the members took part, and an- enjoyable time was spent. The item on\the syllabus for next meeting is, "Turn out, Chief Templar." .During the evening light refreshments were provided by Bro. Syrnes, and were greatly appreciated by the members.

The Wairnrajpa Amateur Athletic Club helci an.evening run on the Park Oval yesterday. The weather was not favourable, and competitors did not attend in such good numbers as usual. It. McKenzie was again in good form, annexing the 220vds hurdles and deadbeating with J. Bradbury in the 880; yards. The latter was a splendid .race,, the judge being unable to separate McKenzie and Bradbury, while Fisher was. beaten by inches only. The foliowirur are the results: —220 yds hurdles: R." McKenzie (owe 33yds) i, J. W. Nieolson (Syds) -2. 880 yds: R. McKenzie and J. Bradbury (Byds) dead heat fo> - first place, E. E. Fisher (3yds) 3. This concludes the evening runs for the season, and decides the points competition, which was won by R. McKenzie. The next event which will conclude the season will be the meeting on Easier Monday.

After a long hold in the country, Roinney rams have had to give way to a certain extent to Lincolns this year, says the' Hawke's Bay correspondent of'the Weekly Press. Many stationholders, finding that their flocks wen; running too much to the Romney breed, have gone in for Lincolns this season. There was a very keen demand for the long-woolled rams at the recent ram fair, while Romneys were much easier. On the other hand, Border, Leicestcrs are a back number, and their places for getting fat lambs are being taken by the Southdown, and in anumber of oases, by the _ SouthdownShropshire cross rams, which have given entire satisfaction. Tenders for grazing about 30 acres, of the Sol,way showgrounds are invited by the Masterton A. and P. Association. In a notice elsewhere the Rev. S. J. Senpell and' family return thanks for the many expressions of sympathy Extended to them in their recent sad bereavement. Tailor-jnade costumes in the latestfashions in cut and material have just arrived""at Messrs Graham and Co.'s store, Queen Street, and are now on view. TJie.se goods are direct from London ex lonic and Waimana. Ladies rain-coats also of the newest designs and very neat in appearance are now being sli'own, and inspection is invited.

REXONA. The Rapid Healer is an Ointment which heals with remarkable rapidity. Unlike the old-fashioned ointments which are very slow in their actions, B«xona, specially effects its cures after a very few applications. Sold in triangular pets, at Is 6d. "For several years I suffered from bilious attacks which wouid last for some time before I was myself again" writes Mrs J. W. eake, 147 Dowling Street, Darlinghurst, N.S.W. "I used various remedies to check the attacks without any effect, but at last gave up the attempt. However, a friend gave mo some Laxo-Tonic Pills, which I took the next time a bilious turn c'ame oni, and they completely cured me." Price 10|d and Is 6d. Sold by all chemists and. storekeepers. "No one, I feel sure, can speak more gratefully of Pills tb "i . can," writes Mrs Corbett, 116 jfttzroy Street, Surrey Hills, N.S.W. "They cured me of settled biliousness, whioh seemed as though itf would never leave me. I took Lixo-Tonic Pills, and they proved a perfeot remedy." Sold by all chem-ißt-s and storekeepers. Prioe lOid and--1« 6d.