LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 14 December 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Thirty-three- old ago pensions have been issued in Masterton this year. Sixteen widows' pensions have been issued in Masterton since the Act came into force. There are forty-nine lighthouses erected at various points around the New Zealand coast. A considerable number of Natives were in Masterton yesterday for a .sitting of the J karoo, Native Land Board. There wove at the. last census, 1561 persons keeping bees in the Wellington district. The total number of beehives was 13,228. Yesterday was the hottest day experienced in Masterton this summer. The thermometer registered 80 degrees in the shade at two o'clock in the afternooiii. The entertainment "Japanese Cry.santhemum" was repeated in the Lansdowne schoolroom last evening, before another satisfactory audience. The piece ran smoothly throughout, and was very much appreciated. The wool clip at the Canterbury Agricultural College was a record in vahie this year. The clip was disposed of at the last sales, and realised, with skins, the price of £1024 9s 6d. [The College flock number about 3200 I shopp. A series of investigations into the life history of the grass grub, which was fairly numerous in the Masterton and Wairarapa districts hist winter, have been undertaken by the Government biologist.

The Agricultural Journal for December contains a quantity of statis- J tictal information concerning the exports of wool, frozen meat, etc, from New Zealand in recent years.

In his annual report, the Government Biologist states that the season 1911-12 was by no means a serious one for insect pests, the continued; cold and unfavourable weather during the summer months limiting their spread. An investigation on several diseases attacking the Californian thistle is at present in progress. It is hoped that definite information will be secured as to the actual value of these fungi in assisting to the control of this weed.

The Ekctahuna bowling green was officially opened on Thursday last, whet) visitors were present from the Masterton and Pahiatua Clubs. . Tlic Club has already a .membership of over fifty, and .the' green is in excellent playing order.

Large consignments of wool are arriving at the Masterton railway station every day. Several hundred bales came to hand yesterday. The railway staff is kept particularly busy, and; it is reported that storage accommodation at the Wellington end is severely taxed. With a view to encouraging skimmilk pasteurisation, the Agricultural Department purchased at the beginning of this season, a . regenerative heater which had been put on. the market, and, with the permission of the directors of the Ballance Dairy Company, installed ft at their Scarborough creamery, where it has been under direct control until the 31st March last. While this heater was found to liave a good deal of merit, the experience with it proved; that certain changes' V.\ it-" construction are necessary before it can he exjJectal to do the best work, and these are now receiving the attention of the makers.

A Belvedere settler had an experience with bees on Sunday, which he is likely to remember for >somo time. On Sunday morning last he was lying in bed, and heard a continuous buzzing, and went out to investigate. He found, a swarm of bees had entered his house under tho eaves, and were busily engaged- in building comb and establishing a home between the wall and the- lining, To get them out it was necessary to remove several boards from the side of the house. Although the bees had only been in the house for a fewdays at most, it was surprising tho amount of honey and; comb that had accumulated.—News.

Don't worry about the 1913 wool (says the American -Sheep .breeder ). Australia will be short from SMU,IKJU to 3UU,OW) bales. just think of it, gentlemen, what a decrease that means—anywhere around 100 million pounce! .Millions of grown sheep and lambs perished in the great drought, and of necessity much of the next wool clip will be short and cf poor quality. Besides this, don't expect any material increase in the South American clip. Sum up the situation, any way you like, we are bound to have a big shortage in the world's clip next year, audi even if we do havea democratic President; and they commence to tinker with the tariff, it can't materially affect the spring clip in America.

At the conclusion of the entertainment in the Lansdowne School last evening, Mr E. Hale. Chairman of the School Committee, thanked Mr Drummond. his staff, and the children who had! contributed to the programme,, for the excellent entertainment provided. This, he said, reflected credit on all concerned. When it was first proposed to establish a school, people had said that there was no room for a school at Lansdowne. The -school had now been in existence four years. It commenced with an attendance of about eighty. It had now an attendance of 230, and a staff of six teachers. The average attendance last month was 211, and the standard of work done was very high. The proceeds of the concert- are to ho devoted to a library and sport's fund'. Mr Hale concluded a happy speech by wishing all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Cheers were given for Mr Drummond, the staff*, and the performers.

XMAS, 1912. NEW YEAR, 1913. Are jus tto hand. Thousands of gifts will soon bo passing between relations and friends, but the problem is WHAT SHALL I GIVE ? It must be something USEFUL, DAINTY, nnd worthy, of expressing a deep, sincere "GOOD WISH." Everyone knows best what their friends would prefer. If, however, you findin the following list any suitable article, you can rely on getting absolutely the BEST QUALITY at MOST REASONABLE PRICES from GORDON'S MEDICAL HALL. We have just opened up a largo, fresh, up-to-date stock of Ladies' Hairbrushes and Combs, Gents' Military Brushes. Baby Articles, Cut Glass and Silver Mounted Bottles, High Class Perfumery, Perfume Sprays, Scented Satchets, delicately perfumed superfatted Toilet Soaus, Soap Cases, Mirrors, Safety Razors, Shaving Brushes and Soaus, Cameras and Photo Outfits, and numerous otlu>r dainty and useful, yet inexpensive GOODS. Postal Ordera receive carefal and j»ra»£t attenttoa-

Tho German man <.f var CorMorant, ha* arrived at Wellington. A tiiitn of £27 was -taken at thel twonights' entertainment at tho JLansdowno school. Yesterday was the 270 th anniversary of the discovory of New Zealand by Abel Tasman in 1612. .Rents received by tho Ma-stortom Trusts Lands- Trust for tho past* month amounted) to £lO3 15s. At last night's- meeting of tho Masterton Trust Lands Trustees, it was decided, that a grant of £5 bo lOadc forthwith to the Masterton ScMhi Brass Band. Sitting in Chamber in Wellington, His Honour, Mr Justice Sim, granted probate, oii the will of the late Mrs Margaret Grant, of Gladstone, on the. application of Messrs Rollings and Pragnell. Since tho commencement of tho cow-testing association movement in New Zealand, in August, 191)9, with one association and some 800 cows, the Department has extended the work, and has this season controlled? five sucli associations, with 5400 cows, under test. The following players have been selected to represent' Martinborough in their cricket match to-day against/ the Carlton team at Masterton:— McAlpine. (captain), Hummer, Taylor, 'Riichnrds, Brown, C. Evans, H. Evans, Thorp, Collins. Todd, and Robertson. Emergencies :: Tyler and W. Smith. At the inquest on tho body of* Frank Warbrick. who was killed at Port Awanui, a verdict of accidental death was returned!, says a Gisborne telegram. At the inquest in connection with the death of George Walwork, who was found dead at Tokomaru, a verdict was returned that de~ ceased strangled himself while in a state of depression. The Bert Bailey Company appeared* in the Masterton Town. Hall last evening in Steele Itudd's Australian.comedy drama, On Our Selection. There was a large audience, and the* company was given a very cordial reception. Tho drama abounds in incident, and humour and pathos are so. peculiarly intermixed, that one is overwhelmed in sorrow at one moment, and: convulsed with laughter in. ; tho next. The acting of Mr Bert [Bailey ("Dad") was remarkably clever, while that of Mr Edmund Dug. 1 gan ("Maloney"), and Miss Mary I Marlowe ("Kate Rudd") was true to Australian life. The whole performance, indeed, was a clever conception of the delightful work of the Australian author, and was much appreciated by tho audience.

"is there any possibility of a strike?" a Post reporter asked Mr M. Laracy (secretary of the Sheep Shearers' Union) yesterday, in reference to the trouble which has occurred at the Tablelands shed over the shearing of what are known as "daggy" sheep. "There is no danger of a strike," ho replied. "Wo don't strike; we simply refuse to work. The strike is out of date."

Messrs H. Douglas, F. Taplin, and Si i*- k ; ,° f tho Masterton Gun Club, tied for first place in tho clay pigeon shooting match at Martin-bor-ough on Thursday last, under the auspices of the Maryborough Gun i-n T?' h S?" dmdedf * ho su m of *oU. iti. Douglas taking £25 Iks having srot each bird in both ' nominations, and Taplin and Buick £l2 10s each.

In a change advertisement to-dav the secretary of the Wairarana AmnL teu r Athletic Cl«b s 'ff/S JP«jd boxing Day SJLKJ 'Si re -? D , ldeal s P° rts meeting will be provided, consisting of the most attractive forms of athletic con! tests,running,-jumping, .pole-vaulting, hurdlmg, relay and obstacle, races ino committee nave pranged !to make the sports an ideal picnic for those who desire a pleasant'place to spend an afternoon with their friends Afternoon tea, cool drinks, fruit" ollies and other picnic dainties can be had on the ground.. The Municipal Band has been engaged to give a -select programme- of. music during tho day, and; tho comfort and entej" tainmeufc of the spectators is -beine studied in every detail. Given 'fine weather tho Club should have a record attendance.

Messrs C. 0. Ross and Co., land agents. Masterton, advertise a new property list on Page 8 of this morning's Ago. These special lines arc for sale or exchange. Just the right thing for children's summer wear are the "Shoettes" on sale at Mr J. Carpenter's Shoo Store, Queen street. They are economical and durable, and fit the children's feet. There is also a fine range of sandals for children and women. Orders by mail receive special attention.

The Masterton Farmers' Implement Company in a replace advertisement ask those farmers who are in want of any class of farm implements and machinery to call at their works and show-rooms, Lincoln Road, Masterton, and inspect their varied stock. The Company having the latest thing in manufacturing and repairing plant are prepared to undertake any class of work entrusted to them, and guarantee to give satisfaction.

There is no economy in. wearing yotir winter clothes that show signs of wear, especially when it can be replaced with a smart summer garment at Messrs Hugo and Shearer's Grand Xmas Carnival olday, Saturd!ay,t? Xraas Carnival. To-day, Saturday, will" bo a special price day, when countless bedrock values will be offered at the busv store. Special window and interior displays are being made in alt departments for the coming festive season. *

GRAMAPHONES AND RECORDS. These should be purchased from the Dresden Piano Co., Ltd. That firm guarantees to supply only the very best gramaphones and the very latest records. You are dealing with reesponsible people who are large and advantageous importers. The Gramophones sold by the Dresden are of distinctly superior quality at remarkably reasonable rates. They include The Cinch, The Excello, The Austral, The Zealand, The Monarch Senior, The Brunswick, The Melba, The Oak Library Grand, and other leading makes. Tho prices are from £i to £3O. New Records from 3s 6d each, reach The Dresden every mail. The stock includes songs by Melba Tetrazzini, Kirky Ltmn, Clara Butt, Caruso, and duets, trios, quartettes and recitations by every artist of note. Then there are instrumental solos by eminent players ,a.nd band music by the most famous bands. Visitors are welcomed at The Dresden Gramaphone Room in Wellington. They can hear selections without the slightest obligation to purchase. Instruments and Records should be ordored direct from The DresiJen Piano Co., Ltd., of Wellington. M, J. Brookei North Islanfl Manager.

A reward is offered for tho rocovory. "«*' of an English lever silver watch, lost between Lansdowne and) Masterton. Motorists will he interested to learn that Messrs T. Wagg and Co. have been appointed sole Wairarapa agents for Searle's Unburstable inner tubes. All persons having claims against the estate of tho late Mrs Margaret Grant, are requested to forward same to Messrs Hoilings and Pragnell, not later than December"2lst. Mr H. A. Jones, architect, elsewhere invites tenders for tho erection of a residence at Featherston. Plans and specifications may bo seen at the office of Mr A. C. Holmes, Featherston, and at the office of the architect. £ Messrs Hood Bros, are holding a two-weeks' Xmas sale of first-class goods at less than cos price. Quotations of a few leading lines are given in costumes, millinery, dress goods, and other useful lines. Masterton music lovers will have an opportunity of listening to some fino vocal and organ music, which will be rendered in Knox Church, Masterton, on Thursday next, by Mr Pur-; ■cell Webb, organist, and Mr Hamilton 'Hodges, the celebrated basso. A fine .selection of organ solos will be rendered by Mr Webb, and Mr Hodges v.-il! sing some of the most celebrated bass solos. Xmas music will be sung by the church choir. Tickets will lie sold at the popular price of -a« ono shillin- each, so as to give everyT one an opportunity of being present. Your Xmas suit will be requiring your attention. Messrs J. L. Murray, Ltd., will assist you in your selection, and are making a special offer of tailor cut box suits at "Xmas Fair Sale Prices." The goods are iinado to the firm's special order, and are in the very newest styles, both in semi-fitting, with vent and trousers, the new 'Varsity cut. with both "■*■*■" plain and cuff bottoms. from j the ordinary range of sizes, special I sizes have been made to fit both stout and! slender figures. ■ If any special' Htyle or tweed is required, your suit can bo made to measure fit, guaranteed 1 , equal to bespoke work, and at , fieacly-to-wear prices. Tf orders are - on or before December 16th, suit will be delivered by Xmas. With their usual enterprise Messrs Graham and Co. are once more to the foro with their big display of toys for the Xmas season. The firm found it impossible to do justice to their enormous stock of toys in the limited space at their disposal in their own busy store, so they have arranged to •open np a "Toyland" in the Trust Buildings, near the Gas Showroom. The toys have been nicely arranged, and mothers will find' that they can: take their children to "Toyland" and inspect the many articles that will delight the hearts of the _ little ones, j without suffering the • inconvenience usually associated with Christmas J .shopping. "Toyland" will be open this morning, and Messrs Graham and i Ob. extend, a hearty invitation to par- , " enta to come along and bring the chil- | dren. Provision has been made for the needs of big as well as small babies, and prices in all cases have "been kept right down to bedrock.