LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 21 December 1912, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Pensions Department is paying tho old age, widow*, and military pensions under tho new Act, on 31fit December, instead of the Ist January.. Mr L. G. Reid, S.M., has reserved his judgment in the case in which Francis O'Connor, of Masterton, was charged with two breaches of tha Defence Act. Plum trees in the M»sterto» district are badly affected wit* the black leeck just now. Peacfc trees are als» affected w.itfe *• «wV Wtgfct;.

Professor Brown said the other day at tho Wellington Girls' College: No time should bo devoted to any subject unless that subject is taken thoroughly. Nothing was so fatal as a cramped; and scrappy knowledge of ! many things, nut one of which was ) taken to its conclusion. The question of establishing woollen mills in Mastorton is .not to be further considered by the Chamber of Commerce until tin; autumn. 'Air J. \Y. McEwan, of I'otone, has informed the Chamber that the in rrwrnrd H labour are more imaginary than real. The matron of the Masterton Hospi- ) ta'l wishes to return thanks to- the ! following for Christinas donations:— I Mrs Bunny, sen £1 Is, Sympathiser £1 Masterton Cycling Club £1 lis, Dr'A. Hoskiug Is Od Airs McGregor plum pudding, and Mrs Islington, a turkev Similar presents or donations'will be gratefully received by ; tho matron. After fourteen days' delightful summer weather, varied only by occasional breezes, a ehango occurred in Alasterttfn last evening, when rain came up from the south and descended in earnest. Tho effect upon crops and vegetation will be most appreciable Shea rill" - is now well advanced, and i operations at the freezing works are] in full swing. The block in the wool-sheds at Wellington is causing serious inconvenience in the Wairarapa. The officers at tho Alasterton railway station have been advised that they must not receive further consignments of wool J until Mondav. The head of a Masterton .mercantile, house yesterday wired the Minister of Railways on the subject. The tomato blight which is playing havoc with the plants at Petone, has made its appearance in Hawke's Bay, and in me instance a 7 acre field is reported to be absolutely devoid of fruit. So far it is not known whether the cause of the trouble is a disease or ' nest, or whether the failure of the 1 to fertilise was occasioned by I neculiar weather conditions prevail-

ins at the moment. In the Magistrate's Court at Masi terton yesterday, Arthur Thompson was charged with a breach of tTie Licensing Aet>, in having procured liquor from B. Douglas, of the Taratahi Hotel, without notifying Douglas that the liquor was intended to he delivered to Thomas B. Lee, of Masterton. Mr S. J. Moran appeared) for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence, His % Worship dismissed the information, remarking that the defendant had merely acted in the capacity of a carrier. A meeting of'the Masterton branch of the Overseas Club was held last evening, Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., presiding over a small attendance. A letter was received from the national organiser. Mr Evelyn Wrench, stating that he would visit Masterton on 27th January, and asking that the

names of the committee cf this branch be forwarded to him. He also asked that two delegates be appointed tc attend, a conference to be held mi January 25th. It va.s decided tr postpone the setting up of a -committee and the appointing of delegate; till after the holidays, when amothei meeting would be called, the Chairman expressing the hope that more members would bo present. 'Mr Robert Crocker, engaged as an expressma.ii, in Masterton, met -witli a serious accident at the Masterton Railway Station on Thursday. -He Avas engaged in loading an express from a railway truck, who,n tho. horse became startled, at the sound of an engine whistle, and jumped forward, causing Crocker to fall heavily to tho ground, landing on his head. The unfortunate man lay there for some time before he was picked, up in an ' unconscious condition. He was later conveyed to the Masterton Hospital, where" ho is now lying, and suffering from concussion of the brain. Last evening he was 'still in a. semi-con-I scious condition, but it is not expected [that any serious com plications will | result.

The zeal of the Customs Department in Christchurch- was exposed: by Mr L. M. Jsitt, M.P., on .Saturday night in an aner dinner speech to members of the Civil Service Association (says the Lyttelton Times). He said that his business as a bookseller obliged him to import tracts, a form of .publication vory popular many years ago, but hot so widely distributed nowadays. One of these, said Mr Isitt, was a, little handbill with "Where are You Going'?" on the front part of it. The head of the Customs Department, however, had charged a duty of threepence a pound as advertising matter—(laughter)—and he thought it was ver>- .Siard if it was going -to cost so much merely for advertising a warning that people were goinu: to the "other olace." At the same time he admired the offi-ren's zeal. a>nd the interests of the Department must surely be in <rood hands if every officer displayed the same car* of his duties. •

A number of members of the Masterton Gun Club assembled, in- Messrs King and Hoijry's shop- last evening ' for uie purpose of formally presenting; Ah- F Taplin with champiotJship-'iro-phies 'won during the past season. Mr R. J. King presided, and in presenting Mi- Taplin with a .beautiful silver ro.->« bowl (.presented by Messrs Emg and: Henry) for most points scored, off the first barrel), and a handsome gold medal (presented by the dub;, lor most points off both barrels, he said that he was quite sure the best man had won, and; ho thought that with more; experience Mr Ta-plui -would be up to best championship form. Mr Taplin suitably replied. Messrs H. Long and J. Whittaker also spoke, and complimented the winner on his-suc-cess, which they hoped he would repeat .next season.

BECHSTEIN, BOYD, EAYIM A* *, HAAKE, HOPKINSOiV Wo hereby tender our thanks to the residents of the Wairarapa and .surrounding districts, for the splendid support accorded us during the past twelve months, aoid assure them that wo shall endeavour to de-serve thencontinued support durin- the coming year. We hold, a large stock of high gratfe pianos pinnolos, and organs, His Master's Voice Gramaphrme* and records. Our terms are the easiest in existence. Wiahin gyou one and all a -Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!—We are, your faithfully, The British and Continental Pia.no Co. J. Lowndes, local manager, 196 Queen Street, Masterton.

Pimples Off in Two Days.— Laxo Tonic Pills removed an unes'ightly patch of pimples from my face, writes Mrs Sophia Henderson, 12 Reilby Street. Enmoro. Ne,w South Wales, which for two months had resisted every possible remedy. After trying almost every medicine T finally used axo-Tonic Pills, a.md after taking tke» . according to directions, the pmpies began to dry up, and in 48 hours ea-me awny when I was washing. learinfc ih* ikin perfectly dear and cleaa. ®lrt«iaaT»l« «rerjwli»r«.

The quantity of wool which has beeU railed from the i'ahiatun railway station since November Ist is 1769 bales.. Tho holiday trains that have passed through Masterton during the last few days have carried a considerable number of excursionists. A Dannevirke telegram states that tho Kotuku Oilfields Syndicate has erected a new rig in the Waipatiki Valley, a mile away from the first one, and boring was started in the oiew locality yesterday. Tho member for Pahiatua, Mr J. H., Escott. recently wrote to the Minister for Public Works itho Hon. W. Eraser) suggesting that he should visit Pahiatua on January 31st (the date of the local A. and P. Show), Tho Minister has now advised Mr Escott that he regrets he cannot accede to the request, as lie will be in Auckland on that date. He has promised, however, to inform Mr Escott later on whon he can visit the district.—Herald. The Minister of .] ustice lias informed tho Masterton Chamber of Commerce that he regrets that lie cannot see his way dear to vary his decision in regard to the residence of the Stipendiary Magistrate. The- President of the Chamber stated yesterday that ho understood there was an arrangement with Mr .Reid, S.M., when he took up the position, that his family should reside in Wellington. Mr Daniell thought the Minister was to be admired for having kept to are honourable arrangement made by his predecessors. The Chamber decided to take no further action in the matter in the meantime. j Mr Donald, in his change advt. today, talks of figure and Jit. and matters pertaining to good tailoring generally, and those seeking a suit that really, fits, would do well to see what he has to say. Mr P. Hamill advertises big reductions in trimmed a>nd untrimmed millinery, costumes, washiug dress fabrics, laces, drapery and clothing: - in, fact, they are selling at cost price because they want cash for Xmas and New Year. Tho gift season for ladies and children has opened at Mr J. Carpenter's Shoe Store, Mastertom. In a replace advertisement in this morning's Age, Mr Carpenter gives a list of several leadng lines,in ladies' and children's footwear, which will well repay a perusal. . Christmas poultry, fowls, geese, ducks and 1 turkeys will be sold this afternoon by Messrs A. J. Jolmsonu and Co., at the Post Office Auction Mart. 1 The poultry are on view this morning at the rooms. The Wairarapa Pipe Band will be in attendance at the Mangatainoka sports on Boxing Day. Trains will bo run on that day that will suit tho arrival and, departure.of Wairarapa patrons. A first class programme of sports has been provider!, arid the committee have made provision for a very large attendance of visitors. • Mr H.. Hadley has just opened: up a very fine consignment of gext's footwear, which is now on view at his shop !in Queen Street. The goods, which' have been specially secured for the ' summer, include ail • the. latest and j most fashionable shapes, aiia-Gjuaran- | teed for comfort and durability. All I the other departments are fully stock'ed with every description of boots and shoes at the riglvTJ prices. I The twenty-first annual show of the Bush Districts Agricultural and Pastoral Association will be held on the racecourse Woodville, on Wednesday, 29th January. Prizes are offered for horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, -and farmi implements. Entries close on Tuesday, 14th January, with the secretary, Mr T. It. Husband. Woodville, from whom schedules'can.be obtained! on application. \J