LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10682, 9 July 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Four degrees of frost were registered ill Masterton on Sunday morning, and seven on Monday morning.

The first message of congratulation to reach Mr W. F. Massey, the now Prime Minister, on Saturday morning last, was from Masterton. An epidemic of colds is being experienced in Masterton just now. The outbreak of mumps appears to have run its course.

The Masterton Golf Club notifies holders of tickets for the annual dance that the function is to be held in the Exchange Buildings, and not in Murray's Hall. The "North Otago Times" spates that information have been laid against thirteen of the Eveline butchers who struck recently, charging them with a breach of the award. The cases have been set down for hearing on July 25th. The Poverty Bay representative hockey team did not arrive in Masterton yesterday as expected. The boat by which the team travelled from Qisborne was delayed, and missed the south train. The members of the team will arrive by the mail train this afternoon.

The annual show under the auspices of the South Wairarapa Poultry, Tigeon, and Cage Bird Association, will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, July 17th and 18th, in the Agricultural Hall, Carterton. Entries close with Mr W. Tucker (Hon. Sec.) to-morrow (Wednesday). The Maori Kinga Wata Tuparoa, who was arrested in Masterton recently, and who is said to be a "tohunga," was charged at Palmerston North yesterday with committing a criminal assault upon a sixteen-year-old girl at Foxton. As the girl is suffering from peritonitis, the accused was further remanded for a week, bail in £2OO being allowed.

A little amusement was created at a smoke concert held in the Druids' Hall, Masterton, on Saturday evening. While a member of the Company was singing the song entitled, "If you want to know the time, ask a policeman," the gentleman in blue walked into the room. The laughter which followed was prolonged, and was thoroughly entered into by the representative of the law.

Mr John Wingate, of Masterton, has this winter demonstrated the value of nitro-bacterine in the cultivation of celery. He has had two sticks of celery photographed—one grown under normal conditions,! and the other with the use of nitro-bacterine. The difference in the growth of the roots is very marked indeed. A copy of the photograph is being exhibited iu the window of Mr A. Henderson, watchmaker and jeweller, . At Waihi, an old man, who looked rather seedy and down at the ''eels, ! went up to a trio of young strikers who were standing at the corner of the street, and asked if one of them could lend him a match. One of tho young men, thinking he would have a joke at the old man's expense, handed him a match, and with a serious face said to him, "But when will I,get it back?" "After the strike," was the quick though unexpected reply. Acording to a Wairoa telegram a sensational shooting affair ccc irred at Buchanan's boardinghouse 011 Sunday evening. A man stood in the doorway and fired a rifle shot into the kitchen. The bullet just missed the waitress, and passed through an eightinch sill and lodged in a fence. The man then gave himself tip to the police. It is supposed that jealousy was the cause of the affair. Accused is an ex-soldier, and states that he was at Omdurman, when General Kitchener defeated the Khalifa. He was remanded until to-morrow.

A Wellington telegram states that before the Education Commission, Mr F. Bakewell, Inspector of the Wellington Education Board, favoured a scheme of grading for primary teachers in the Dominion, and also complete reform in the matter of teachers' certificates. He stated that undue prominence was attached to what might lie termed purely adventitious University qualifications, which had the distinctly mischievous effect of encouraging teachers to look :o mere academic distinction, as a means of promotion, rather than to professional studies and practical teaching efficiency. The witness considered that the whole education system suffered from the examination incubus.

The fragrance of .the blushing rose, Of lusMous fruit the taste; All for our pleasure God bestows, Whose wisdom may bo traced. So with the good and beiautiful, Our heaitih maintained and right, With Peppermint Dure to make more

sure, Ts caus« for our delight. 8 No need to worry over those Custome entries until your brains are 'fogged. Pass them along to Messrs J. J. Curtis and Co.— they are experts at the game. There's no time to be lost (and time is money to you), when your entries aro passed by Messrs J. J. CURTIS AND CO., Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Their charges, too, aire very moderate.

Fo< Ohikiren'e Hacking Cough at j Nichi, Woods' Great Peppermint I Our©, Is 6d. 2s 6d. ! . *

The Tarama ranges, whic.li a few days ago were covered in snow, are now almost as clear as they were a month ago.

The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision in the Wairarapa case, Harris and another v. McGregor.

A number of visiting competitors for the Mastcrton Competitions arrived in town yesterday. Others are expected to-day. A deputation from . Waihi Valley made another request to the Akiiio County Council 011 Saturday last to be allowed to transfer to tho Mastcrton County. The request was declined.

The "Committee of the Masterton Competitions Society wish it understood that booked seats will not- be reserved if unoccupied after 8 o'clock every night.

The Competitions Society have granted complimentary tickets to the Gisborne hockey team, who are visiting Masterton to compete in the Nordon Cup. . The competitions which commence in Masterton this morning will hold sessions at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. to-day. The President (Dr. P. R. Cook) will preside at the evening session.

The "Dreadnought" picture, which could not be procured for exhibition in Masterton. has been promised by the retiring Minister of Internal Affairs to Nelson for a period. It is reported that the Government has acquired the Sherenden (6000 acres) and tho Hoadley (2000 acres) estates, near Hastings, for close settlement.

In his evidence before the Cost, of Living Commission, Mr C. J. Reakes, Director of the Live Stock and Meat Division of the Agricultural Department, said.there were 6,33,732 dairy cows in the country.

To-morrow evening a- long-nighfc dance will be held under the auspices of the Masterton Hinemoa Assembly. The Committee have all arrangements well in hand, and everything points to the function being a great success. A large number of pictures from the Baillie collection have been secured for the. art gallery section of the Masterton Competitions. The gallery is in the Trust Buildings, near the Post Office, and is well worth visiting. It is expected it will open this afternoon.

The Southland News says:—About this time last year the grass grab was making serious ravages on many farms throughout Southland, but this year, no doubt thanks to the long spell of rain; experienced, one never hears the little pest mentioned. A cow belonging to Mr C. W. Jackson, dairyman, Wyndham, was delivered the other day of three almost fully developed calves (says the M.itaura Ensign). This is a rare event. The cow is well and in full milk, blither offspring died.

The directors of the Featherston Dairy Company have decided to proceed immediately with additions to the factory buildings, and with the installation of separators and a complete butter-making plant, for the purpose of making whey-butter.

A despicable theft was perpetrated at a Carterton business place on Saturday evening. While the proprietor's attention was distracted from the counter for a few seconds some person entered the shop and appropriated a roll of unused postage stamps —about 30s worth. The police are investigating.

The Masterton Debating Society held their usual weekly meeting last evening, when there was a largo attendance of members. It was decided that in future the meetings of the Society would lie held in the Y.M.C.A. j rooms. After the general business was I concluded, a very interesting discussion on Free Trade was taken part in i by several of the members present. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Masterton Oddfellows' lodge was held last evening, when Bro, C. Perry, N.G., presided over a good attendance of members. The following officers were installed. Bro. J. Stewart, N.G., Bro. H. Evans, V.G., C. Perry, G.M.; A. Rippon, P.S. Three new members were initiated. After the ordinary business was concluded a very "pleasant social gathering was held, when a number of toasts were honoured, and a programme of vocal and instrumental items rendered during the evening. Bro. Hughes was presented with a Past Officers' Emblem.

A peculiar phenomenon was witnessed by some residents of Belvedere at 4.45 on Sunday afternoon, according to the Carterton News. The strange affair was seen over the Miaungaraki ranges in the direction of Gladstone, and looked similar to a balloon .in shape, with a long tail attached. The ! atmosphere at the time was calm, with not a breath of wind, yet this strange object switched and lashed itself all over the place. It could be seen well above the ranges. Suddenly it lowered, as if going down behind the hill. In doing so, a thick mist obscured it for a few seconds, and then it seemed to spread itself out over the hill top in snake-like fashion and disappear. (Anything snake-like in a "wet" area reads suspicious, even on a Sunday.— Ed. Age.) Kersand's American Minstrels drew a big house to the -Masterton Towu Hall last evening. All the good things said of this clever troupe were well borne out by the excellent programme presented last evening. The continued merriment which pervaded the building clearly indicated that the various unique minstrel items were fully appreciated. The singing of Miss Leah Clarke met with an outburst of applause, and she had to reply to several encores. The eccentric comedian, Billy Browne, gave several most amusing items, and kept the audience in fits of laughter, while several other comedians rendered splendid parts. Billy Kersand, tlie king of minstrels, had an excellent x-eception, and gave some splendid renderings of American Minstrelsy. The whole programme went with plenty of swing, and was interesting from first to last.

The Reports Committee of the Anglican Synod presented the following report concerning the Clareville School: —The report of the Clareville School showed that 16 boys had to be refused admission owing to lack of accommodation —a healthy indication that the good work being done by the school is being appreciated by the Maoris. The success attained at the Wairarapa show was a proof that the practical training was sound. As the lease of the land adjoining the school falls due in November next, some portion, it was recommended, should be taken over by the school, as the sale of the produce would at least make up for the loss of rent.

The demafor store sheep v; reported to be very keen in Southland at the present time.

A Sydney cable states that the Margaret Cooper Theatrical Company; are passengers by the steamer Aioana,. which has sailed for New Zealand.

lhe Foilding Acclimatisation Society has decided to liberate a number of pheasants and quail. This step has been decided upon owing to tho scarcity of game in the Feilding districts this season.

lhe Masterton Harriers held a successful' "run" from the residence of Mr It. .T, Dagg, 011 the Upper Plain, on Saturday last. Tliey were afterwards entertained by Mr and Mrs Dagg.

The new by-laws of the MastertonBorough Council will provide for tho motor-car stands being taken out of the main thoroughfare. Tho new., stands will bo at- tho corner of Bannister and Church Streets, and Lincoln Road.

In conversation with a representative of the Age yesterday, the distric Health Inspector (Mr Cairns) stated that Masterton and the surrounding district was at present almost immune from infectious diseases; Ono case of scarlet fever had recently beenadmitted to the local hospital", but this case came from Wellington.

The accommodation at tho Inebriates' Home at Roto Roa Island (Auckland) is taxed to its usmost capacity, there being now 106 patients afc the institution. As accommodation is provided for a maximum of 100 patients it can be seen that the authorities have had to make extra provision; for six men. At Pakatoa Island thereare 33 female patients, whereas thereis accommodation for a maximum of 50 women.

The findiug of the Court of Inquiry] into the loss of the dredge Manchester states that the vessel was fully, manned, found and equipped. TJioevidence shows that the weather after; April 6th was abnormally bad. The Court was of opinion that she foundered with all hands, but there was no. evidence as to the cause of her foundering. The Court was further of tho. opinion that nothing was not done that, should have been done to make the vessel seaworthy, and no blame Mas. attachable to any of the persons who had to prepare her for the voyage. In the last three years new houses, have gone up in Auckland at the rate of four per day. Within the greater Auckland area 4000 new homes have been erected in three years. A leading land and property agent informed a Star reporter that whereas the population of greater Auckland stood at 110,000, there was not 1000 empty; houses in the whole city, and that people frequently spent half 3 day, looking for a house before they found' one that had a "to-let" sign showing. Last year over a million sterling was spent on iicav buildings in Auckland.

The Dunedin Fire Brigade has just, imported a new motor-engine, which' parries a 140 gal. chemical cylinder and; 300 ft of chemical hose, in addition "to which 3000 ft or 4000 ft of ordinaryj hose can be packed on it and a foursection 'ladder. u Provision is also< made, of course, for carrying the liremen. It is claimed to be oue of the' most powerful of its kind yet constructed, being fitted with a large sixcylinder 75 li.p. engine. The drive is by worm gear, and dual ignition is fitted.

At St. Patrick's Church, Masterton,, on Sunday morning, a very interesting ceremony took place, when four beauI tifully-stained windows in the sanctuare were unveiled. The Rev. Father Murray conducted an instructive dedication service to a very large audience. The preacher dealt at length with thohistory of the church from the very early days, and said that the church had coine out triumphant from many a religious battle, and at the present time the Roman Catholic Church was stronger than ever. The windows, which were placed in position by 1 Messrs Coradine and Whittaker, represented the four Apostles—St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John. Two were presented to theChurch by the Percy family, one is in. memory of the late Mrs Ellen Connell,. and the other in memory of the lateMr Jeremiah O'Neill. In the evening the Rot. Father Segrieff preached tho concluding sermon of the mission which has been held during the past week.

A brindle sheep dog is at Bank View! awaiting an owner.

A reward is offered for the recovery of a white and black fox terrier pup, lost yesterday afternoon. Messrs Hood Bros., Queen Street, notify that their great "bargain salo" commences to-morrow, Wednesday, when they will dispose of their new season's stock, at prices cut down t'> effect a clearance.

A clearing sale of high-class furniture, etc., will be held at 25 Worksop road, the residence of Mr C. N. Ha islam, who is leaving Masterton, on Thursday next, July 11, at 1.30 p.m.,. by Messrs A. J. Johnson and Co.

The New Zealand Clothing Factory advertise saving specialities in ladies' shoes, gent's shooters, felt- slippers, woollen pants and shirts, regatta, and white shirts, boys all-wool Norfolk suits, and other lines well worth inspection.

Messrs J. Fraser and Co., lard agents, Masterton, advertise for sale 2100 acres of good farm land with residence and all necessary buildings. At, tention is called to a footnote in the advertisement on page 8.

"Antikrak" is the name of a remedy for chapped hands, sold by Mr J. V. Gordon, chemist, Mastert-on. It is also a remedy for the common winter complaint of chilblains, and dairy farmers and milkers can depend, upon keeping their hands free from cracks and sores by its use.

Messrs C. Smith, Ltd., announce that their groat winter sale will commence on Friday next, July 12th. Mr C. Smith, who-is in London, has bought heavily, and the local branch, has been instructed to quit their stocks. Prices will be cut right down, and bargains will be offered in every department". In order to make the necessary preparations for the salo, the firm's premises will be closed all day on Thursday next.

Murray's re-organising sale is still in full swing. The whole of the extensive stock has been genuinely reduced. With this end in view all departments in the entire establishment have been gone through, and in • very instance the prices have been so Ciit down that we can assert that values have never before been offered. Do not fail to pay an early visit.*