LOCAL AND GENERAL

A severe thunderstorm, accompanied by torrential rain, was experienced in Christchurc.li. yesterday. A Christ-church telegram states that the Sumner Borough Council is- convening a, conference to draw up bylaws to govern the surf bathing there.

There are at present twenty-four slaughtermen engaged at the Waingawa. works. This number will he increased to twenty-eight before the. boards are, full. One o' - two •Mapterton settlers who were offered tempting prices for their wool at the shed, and who preferred to take tli" risk and try their luck at the Wellington sale, are now lamenting their indiscretion. One man who-was offered lid ner lb for his chn at the station could not get 10c! itßL'dfir shs ftamiuer.

The Masterton police raided, premises in the .borough yesterday afternoon, aud .secured a quantity of liquor. '■ A prosecution will probaibly follow. Settlors in tho Gladstone district ytau) that the country never looked better. -Feci is abundant, and stock are in splendid condition. The. young woman, Edith Burgess, who was reported missing from Auckland, has at Marton, whence- she proceeded by train. The number of sheep put through the Waingawa freezing works to date , this season is about 40,000. This is ' an. incroasa in numbers, compared I with last season. i A successful canvass of Masterton trades peoplo was made by a committee of the Masterton A. and P. Association yesterday afternoon, for donations towards the prize list for the coming show. Wo were last night advised from Wellington that the result of the ballot of slaughtermen on tho question of accepting or rejecting tho offer of 27s 6d per hundred made-by the freezing companies, was not yet complete, and the result was, therefore, not known.

The Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board will- benefit to an amount of £IOO by the registration of twenty land agents in this district. The Act provides that the license fee of £5 shall go to the Hospital Board of the district in Avhich the license is granted.

At a -meeting of the Wairarapa Mineral Prospecting Company, hew in Aiascerton yesterday morning, a resolution was passed, confirming a previous resolution to wind up die Company, and appointing Mr G. W. Sellar liquidator.

The WaLngawa freezing works have been running short time of late, owing to the inadequate (freezing capacity. The new freezing chamber will, it is expected, be available on Wednesday next, and this will enable the rush of stock to be dealt with. In the meantime, cattle are being slaughtered, several large drafts toeing in readiness.

According to a cable message received by the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey), the cruiser battleship New Zealand' Captain Lionel Hasley, will probably leave for the Dominion on 29th February. It is anderstjod that the vessel will call at St Vincent, Wension, St. Helena, Simon's Bay, ]' "i.rt. and Lyttelton before coming to Wellington.

'A Wanganui telegram states that in regard to tne jshix.cing aliair whicii occurred mere an -.Tuesday nigtit, James Dunn, who discharged the revolver and shot another man in the anKle, was charged with the crime yesterday morriing and remanded till Wednesday next. The bullet has been attracted from the wounded man's ankle, and the injury is progressing satisfactorily.

At a meeting of the Masterton branch of the ' Hibernian Society on Tuesday evening, Br;;. H. J. O'Leary was elected president for the ensuing year. Bro. O'Leary was president of the society twenty-five years ago. Other officers were elected as fellows: —Vice-president, Bro. B. Chapman; sec., Bro. S. J. O'Rogan; treasurer, Bro.' J. Connor; warden, Bro. J. R. Dunn; guardian, Bro. L. McCarthy; auditors. Bros. Chapman and Dunn; sick visitors, Bros. F. Flayin, H. O'Learv and P. Price.

Mr Cyril Davenport, in his bcok on jewellery, says that "there was an old custom in the Isle of Man according to which an unmarried girl who had been offended by a man could l>ring him to trial, and if he wore found guilty, she would be presented with a swpra;,: a rope and a ring. With the sword she miglit cut off his head; with tho rope she might hang him ; or with the ring she, 'might marry him. Tt is said that thelatter punishment was that invariably inflicted."

"I wouldn't mind'having a go at that myself," saidi a new arrival on the steamer Mamari, when he unsuccessfully endeavoured to tip a waterside worker who was busily employed getting passengers' bolongings ashore, and who, in declining the tip, said he was paid far working by his employer, and that the pay—being Sunday work—was at. the rate of 4 s 4d per hour.—Auckland Star. Mrs iR. F. Scott, wife of Captain Scott, the South 'Pole explorer, will sail early in January for New Zealand in order to meet her husband, who, with the r-est of his party, will reach Wellington or some other convenient point not far" distant, about March 20th, and all will be home again , in England two months or so■"later'.'' A .special sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held, in Masterton yesterday by Mx L. G. Reid, S.M., to deal with applications for land agents' certificates under the Act passed last session. Mr 'Reid had himself prepared a special'"form of band, which may be had on application to the Clerk of the Court. The following licenses were granted:—Eli 'Smith, Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association, J. B. Keith, W. B. Chenhells (Masterton), an<J Mark Maxtau f<£reytown). Fifteert o£ner applications were adjourned, till January 16th, and one till February 13th. in' order that certain, formalities might be complied with.

A Maori gentleman of somewhat aristocratic relationship, and who claims relationship with the Maori ■'Royal Family," was the subject of somo interest at the Kihikihi races, up north, on New Year's Day. His get up was at once imposing and grotesque.. He wore a frock coat and top hat, no vest, and a dazzling pink shirt. No collar adorned his neck, but attached to his collar band was a spatted blue tie of no plain design*. His nether garments consisted of a pair of riding breeches, over, the bottoms of whicli were pulled a pair of startling socks, held in position by a pair of red suspenders. Truly ' a wonderful sight.

BECHSTEIN, BOYD, EAVESTAFF,

HAAKE, HOPKINSON.

We hereby tender our thanks to tho residents of the Wairarapa and surrounding districts, for the splendid support accordedl us during the past twelve months, and assure them that we shall endeavour to deserve their continued support during the coming year. We hold a large stock of high grade pianos, pianolos, and organs. His Master's Voice grama, phones and records. Our terms are the easiest in existence. Wishing you one and all a Hapnv New Year.— We are, yours faithfully. The British and Continental Piano Co. J. Lowndes, local manager, 196 Queen Street, Masterton.

No need to worry over those Customs entries nntil your brains aTe 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 are passed by MessTß J. J. CURTIS AND CO., Customhouse Quay, Wellington. Their •itarge?, too, are very moderate* .-.„ * t . t .-.i .■: ; - ■".:&>. ~ ;r

! It is lortv years- ago to-day since Napoleon 111. died. '

Three, .shipments cf frozen 'meat will be .made from tiie Wamgawa works next week. A monoplane, the manufacture of several enterprising Wellington young men, is at present located at Pigeon Bush, where experimental trials are being made. The secretary of the PahiatuaAkitio Agricultural and Pastoral Association \Mr J. A. Walsh)) is making: a tour of the district in the interests of tho society. A London cable states that tho Union Bank has declared a dividend of 10 per cent and ft bonus of 2 per cent. To the reserve fund £-50,000 has been placed, and € 13,3-1* carried forward.

The Premier (Mr Massey) and Hon. W. H. H'orries vim. Hastings on the 29th January. A garden party m the afternoon ajid a- banquet m the evening will bo tendored in thorr honour.

Thirty 'business mv.n of Sydney shortly'be coming over to New Zealand and spending their holidays in Taranaki, making New Plymouth their headquarters. This is another result of bringing the attractions of the district under the notice of outsiders by the Expansion, and Tourist League.

On New Year's live a party of three had a narrow ewape while driving through the Mangawhannki Gorge. Tho horse shied and went over the bank, but the two ladies jumped out just in time, the driver being polled over the embankment. Theliorse and vehicle stopped a little further down. When, the horse was released, the vehicle rolled down 100 feet below.

A painful accident happened last week to Mas tor Eric Ramsden, <" Martinboroug'h. Ho was in the act of opening a bottle oi lemonade when the bottle burst, and a piece of the broken bottle glass struck him in the eve inflicting a nasty wound. < He was attended by an eye specialist at Wellington, an.] is making favourable progress, but the sight of one eye is likely to be affected.

A party of live young fellows from Dannevirke, .driving a buggy and pair, passed through on New Year's Day, en route to Norsewood. Thev gave the impression that they were out for the day. On their return some four hours later the buggy had only two occupants. The vehicle capsized, and was. badly smashed, the two young fellows having a miraculous escape. When questioned; they could give no "account of where they had left their mates. An excellent programme of twenty events has been arranged by the Gladstone Sports Club for its Anniversary Day meeting. The prizes are on a liberal scale, and all branches of sport are catered for, including three events for amateur athletes, which should prove an additional attraction to the gathering. The grounds are in excellent order, and the committee are sparing no pains to ensure a successful gathering. -Nominations close with the secretary on or before January 16th.

I A lady and gentleman belonging to the Lower Hutt had a rather rare experience a few days ago. While pienicking at Day's Bay on Boxing Day they picked up a small dog, which was apparently ownerless, and took it to their home. A few days later i they left to spend a holiday in Gisiborne, taking" the dog with them. j Their surprise mav be imagined when. lon arriving at Gisborne they met i some ladies who immediately -recog--1 nised nnd claimed tho little animal, which they stated they had lost at Dav's Bav the. week before.

An important step by the Roman Catholic laity of New Zealand is approaching completion, and has assumed a definite shape in Wellington', in the formation of a New Zealand , Catholic Federation. According to | the draft constitution the objects of | the Federation are:—(a) Expression i 6.i consolidated' Catholic opinion on social and public questions appealing ■to Catholic interests: (h) promotion and extension of Catholic education ; (c) dissemination of Catholic lite.rniture; (d) mutual support and adl vancement of Catholic societies.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of Henry James MoKibbon. recently carrying on business- in Hamilton as a land agent, was held at the Courthouse, Hamilton, a. few days ago. Total liabilities were declared: at over £SOO, assets unknown. The bankrupt was not present. A resolution was passed to the effect that the meeting was of opinion thnt-the bankrupt had conducted himself in such a manner as to merit and they were "desirous that he should be brought to Hamilton and examined; if such examination indicated that a prosecution was likely to be successful, the Official Assignee be instructed to take proceedings. • The Feildhig Star of yesterday —Though it is six months since the contractor, Mr .W. Woolf, of Masterton, signed the contract for the construction of a bridge over the Oroua. River at Monzies' Ford, there is so far no sign of aiiy pre-, paration for .the, work. However, some time ae;o Mr Woolf informed the Oroua County Council, that he had or"tered the timber from. New South Wales as soon as his tender" was accepted, but that he had received notice that it would not reach Now Zealand till the end of the year. The settlors mav therefore hope to soon «oe some signs of life about the ford. The contract time exnires in June, so that Mr Woolf will hare to move speedily once he does make a start.

The Presbytery of Wairarapa, mot pro re nata in tire "church, Grtytovwi, on Tuesday afternoon, tho Rev. C. K. Stowell being.Moderator. An Elders Commission was sustained: 'ii fa/our of Mr K. Feist. A call fr.jin the Pahiatua congregation was presented in favour of the Rev. Michael Bawdtn Harris. Mr Stowell, on behalf of the Pahiatua- congregation, was heard in support of the call, which was stated to bo thoroughly unanimous. The call, having been sustained by tho presbytery, was. after praye-, phood in the hands of Mr Harris, who signified his acceptance thereof. The induction was fixed.to take place at Pahiatua on the 16th inst., at 3 p.m. Tho Rev. G. K. Stowell is to preach and induct, the Rev. J. S. You-ie to preach, the Rev. L. Thompson l r : address tho minister, and the i.V,.". J. M'Caw to address the people.

PROTECT YOUR SKTN. From the eects of the summer sun and the hot, drying winds. Whate is required is a mild, soothing antiseptic emollient, to tone the skin, and keep it free from blemish. Gordon's Peroxide Cream will do this. It makes the skin clear and .smooth, and prevents amd removes sunburn, ton. freckles, redness, etc. It is an absolutely harmless, non-greasy preparation, which imparts a delightful cooling freshness to the skin. Price Is 6d per jar. Only from J. V. Gordeai', ehemist (fey exams), Masterton.

During th« vear 1913 tlwro will lo throe eclipses of the sun and two cl tlie moon, tho former not being visible in New Zealand. 'I he lunar eclipses mav ; >e looked for on March 22nd and .September loth.

•V kind person is wanted to look after r. baby girl, 2i months old.

One or two furnished rooms a.fe advertised for.

Choke apricots at os Ckl a case aid advertised.for snlo by Mr F. J. Robbins, fruiterer. Queen Street.

Brethren are requested to note that Lodge No. 99, T.0.0.F. meeting is adjourned to the 2-itli instant.

Mr F I'. Welch requires "blade shearer." cooks, mill bands, woman for. washing a.nd cleaning, etc.

Mr Robert Russell advertises preserving jars and jam jars, on sale a* .his secondhand shop, Queen Street.

The manager of the Tikitapu Stat tion. Mauricevillo, advertises for a rabbiter mid throe station hands.

A quiet ponv for lauy to drive is advertised for'by Mr A. J. Giddmgs, Queen Street.

A bov able to milk and willing trt make himself useful, can tindi a good home near town.' and good wages,* on application: at Age Office. Members of the Mastorton Cycling. Club are requested to attend_ a meeting to be iheld this evening in the Druids' Hall, Church Street.

On page S of this morning's issue Mr V. L. Favrbrother. auctioneer, Carterton, advertises entries for, the Carterton stock sale to-morrow (Friday), commencing at 1 p.m.

The largest and. most varied stock! of pianos ever .seen, in Masterton is the New Year- stock now on view at the British and Continental Piano Company's warehouse, 169 Queen Street (near the Fire Brigade Station.)*

One of the finest stocks of pianos that has been made in the district lon a long time is at present being shown, by the British and Continental Piano Company at their . Masterton depot, Queen Street. During the week several new pianos have arrived, and the local manager.(Mr J. Lowndes) has been kept busy arranging the -instruments, so that events may he able to test the merits of each piano., The .stock includes Bechstein, Hopkinson. Bovd, Bell. Hnako. Collard an:: 1 . Colin rd, Ramsperger, fßapoldi and Paul Truhner pianos. The public are "irrl-iallr invited t/> rv»H and inspect these fine'instruments. ' -'-•