LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 December 1913, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

There was a fairly heavy coating of snow on the Tararua ranges yesterday* .

Ripe peaches are already being gathered in the Bay of Plenty districts. v

. The new Waterside Workers? Union in Wellington now has a membership of 1600. <Bik>me of the Napier streots were lighted with electricity for a first time on Thursday evening. - The Methodist Ladies' Guild of Eketahuna made a profit of £2O over a recent garden fete. Owing to tho unfavourable weather, all outdoor sports were abandoned in Masterton on Saturday.

The adjourned annual meeting of the, Masterton Ladies' Swimming Club is to. be held, tp-day. Mi* J. C, Boddington reports that there 15 points) of rain 'registered at the Upper Plain up to 9 a.mi on Saturday. > The, Te Awamutu branch of the Fanners' Union has a membership of 120. It is the strongest branch in the Auckland province. A building at the rear of <i« unoccupied house at Newman, owned by Mr" W. Archibald, of Newr.nan, was destroyed by fire on Friday. The Grand Lodge Secretary will visit the Eketahuna lodge of Druids to-morrow night. Several Masterton brethren are expected to b,e present. It is considered that, with a fortnight's fino weather, of the shearing sheds in the Masterton and Wairarapa districts will be "cut out."

In the Methodist Church at Masterton last evening Mr J. T. M. Hornsby gave a pulpit address on -the subject,' "Labour'£ Unrest; its Cause and Cure."

Tho Mangawokft paper says it ia rumoured on good authority that a Taihape business man is to contest the Waimarino seat at the next general elcotion in the Labour interest. His Honour the Chief Justice on Saturday sentenced Archibald Campbell to eight months and William Henry Lawton to nine months' imprisonment for taking part in a street riot at. Wellington. The executive of the Eketahuna Hospital Committee will wait upon the Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board at its meeting on Wednesday next, in connection with the establishment of a cottage hospital at Eketahuna.

The weather experienced in Masterton dux-ing Saturday and Sunday was anything but seasonable. On Saturday there were intermittent showers of rain and hail, and yesterday it was cold and bleak. In the evening a heavy gate sprang up, which did considerable damage to orchards and gardens. , i Special services were held yefoterday to cdmmemorate the sixtieth anniversary of St. John's Presbyterian Ohuroh in Wellington. A Press Association telegram states that there was a very largo congregation at the morning service, the Rev. A. Cameron, Moderator of the New Zealand Assembly, being the preacher. A Master-ton resident, who visited Wellington last week, told an Age representative that there are indications that there will be another conflict between, the strikers and the publio before tho crisis is ended. Acts of intimidation are co-nmon. and men who desire td return to work are terrorised by those who have no Jiope of regaining their positions. The Taumarunui Press reports that .the family of Mi- J. Miller, of Kakahi, had a marvellous escape a few days ago. At about half-pas* six one evening, during a severe thunderstorm, a flash of. lightning came down the chimney into the kitchen. Mrs Miller and her two step-sons, Barney and Harry 'Thompson, were in the room at the true. The lightning scarred the cheek of one of the boys, aged 11, from ear to chin, and knocked the other, aged 12, under the table, rendering him senseless. Mrs Miller was twisted j-ound violently, and a pig standing in front of th? house was killed as the lightning flashed out of the door.

YOUR. CHILD AND THE PIANO. Teach your children ' piano tDo not let them grow tip with vain regret* that \ 'iey did not have the opportunity when young I Think of the future. The purchase of a piano may seem a big item; hut,'really, nowadays things have been made so easy that everyone may possess an -•instrument, and on such simple terms that the sum required each week is never missed. The Dresden Piano Co., Wellingon, will gi'.o you the most superb piano for a small sum down, and thereafter monthly payments of from 20s. Think! In a short time the instrument will he your very own—r --\ what an inexhaustible scarce of pleasure it will prove to he. P& not delay another day—write to the Dresden's North Island Manager, Wellington, Mr M. J. Brookes; or see the Local Represmnative. Mr H u Inns, Daniell's Buildings-, Queen street.

A sun fish fivo feet tluxnigh and «a ton weight was stranded on the eastern breakwater, Westport, the other day.

A fanner named Frank Goldsworthy was drowned in the Waihou river (Auckland district) through a boat capsizing on Friday last. The second reading of the Native Land Bill was carried in the House of Representatives after we went to presN on Saturday morning.

A Pressi Association telegram states that the two-and-a-half year old child of Mr A. -Burton, of Taradale, was drowned on Friday last.

Mr W. Perry, of Penrose, Masterton, will be an exhibitor at the Hamilton show this week. He will afterwards exhibit at the Auckland exhibition show.

Nearly thirty-eight million acres, roughly 9o per cent, of the total land tinder occupation in New Zealand, .is (says the Journal of Agriculture) wholly iitilised for pasture purposes. A contingent of fifty "specials" will probably leave the Wairarapa for Wellington in a week or two, to relieve fifty of the men who have been on duty since the commencement of the strike.

Mrs B. Tarrant, of Masterton, took two first prizes and a second prize at the Carterton flower show on Saturday last for bouquets. Miss Tarrant was aAvarded five first prizes in the floral section.

Mr T. Heatherington, a' Bay of Plenty resident, has issued a writ claiming £3OO damages from the Te Puke A. and P. Association in connection with injuries sustained by" plaintiff at the last annual show, when ho was kicked by a horse.

At a Jjpecial meeting of the Masterton bralc hof the Wellington Drivers' Union, held on Saturday evening, it was unanimously ; resolved to strike a weekly levy of oh unmarried memberg, and 2s 6d on married members, in aid of the Wellington drivers. Tho sneak thief appears to have made his appearance in Masterton. A resident of Cornwall Street who on lihui'sday evening last placed his bicycle on the verandah, discovered that.it was missing in the morning. He has since been unable to trace it, and the matter is now in the hands of tho police. ~ ,: - The annual entertainment by pupils and ex-pupils of Lansdownc School will be held on Thursday and December 11th and 12th, at the Lansdowne school, when C. King Proctor's operetta "The Magic Ruby" or "The of Rajahpdre," will,be produced, . Special attention has been paid to the .dressing:..of the operetta, and the children* ,wili be ; assLsted.■ by a good orchestra under the direction of Mr Varnham. The dances incidental to the piece Will be a strong feature, as under the able instruction of Mias Roberts, the children taking part have arrived at a high state of pro*' ficieney. '

Cr Cross has given notice, to move the following at the next meeting of the Masterton County Council:'(l) That the County motor car now used by the County Engineer be dispensed with, and (2) that the amount exponded in the upkeep of the car be devoted ta paying an assistant engineer. Cr Cross points out that the total running l , expenses of the car during the last twelve months was £165 4s 9d, and ~. with depreciation added would bring the total cost for the. year up to £260. He thinks this amount could -be more advantageotrsly expended by the employment of an assistant engineer. ' During the next two years it is anticipated that £OOOO of loan money and grants will be expended in the Alfredton Riding alone, and the supervision of this will require considerably more than it is possible to extend to the riding under the ,present system.

Advertiser wishes to sell small paddock of hay,' close to town. "Woman cook ia required at Berkley House, near railway station. Confectio%ery and ice cream businom is advertised for sale in the wanted coin 'mis of this issue. Tlio Masterton County Council elsewhere invite tenders for contracts for the delivery of metal and repairs. Do you often attain your highest ambitions? Incidentally Messrs Krahagen and Chapman have reached the highest pinnacle in costume achievement. See this firm's announcement in this issue.

Mr A. T. Dickason reports having had a. good entry of poultry at the sale-at the iQueen Street roonis an Saturday last. Hens realised from Is 4d to 2s, roosters from Is 6dto 6s per head, hen with brood of 15 Brown Leghorn chicks 15s. Wcaner pigs fetched from % 7d tol 17s 6d each.

Messrs A. Henderson and Co.. jewellers, have rtpened up and are now showing a very large and well assorted range of Xntas presents for both ladies and gentlemen. All the goods are new. designs, and of the very best quality. Country orders will receive careful attention. All goods ordered by past will be securely packed and sent post free (registered) to any address.

Mr. V. L. Fairbrother reports having held a very successful sale of poultry, furniture, etc., at the Post Office auction mart on Saturday, the rooms being practically cleared of furniture, which leaves space for fresh lines. Those wishing to dispose of furniture, in small lots or full houses, or any line of harness, gigs, etc., are asked to communicate with Mr'..Fair 1 brother, which will ensure a prompt sale with satisfaction.