MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 819, 17 May 1910, Page 6

MASTERTON NOTES.

TOPICAL AGRARIAN MATTERS. A VIEW OF THE COMET. (From Oar Special Correspondent.) Special memorial services in connection with tho death of King Edward VII wore conducted in the various churches in Masterton on Sunday. The congregations were very large, and tho sermons preached were eloquent tributes to the memory of. "Edward the Peacemaker." A combined servico is to be hold in the Town Hall on Friday next. Numerous applications for work have been made of late to the local labour offices. Tho Government Labour Bureau has become quite a popular institution with employers and. employed; but it seoms rather hard that private bureaux, which arc compelled to pay, a license fee, and which have done excellent servico in country districts in the past, should bo placed in unequal competition with the Government. A Bid for a Government Bonus. The bonus offered by the Government for a successful method of ear-marking sheep is likely to bo competed for by soveral settlers of an inventive turn of mind, in this', district. Messrs. Jackson Brothers claim to have solved the problem which has defied Agricultural Department and sheepfanners alike for so many years. A public exhibition of their invention is to be made at an early date. Mr. J. C. MTCillop, who has. been elected president of the Masterton district branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, is the son of one of tho pioneer settlers of the district. He has devoted many years' to farming life, and takes a practical interest in all matters affecting the agricultural and pastoral industry. He also finds time to assist in the provision of a suitable defence of the country, and is captain of the Masterton Mounted Rides. Mr. Joseph Morris, who has been. elected vice-president of the branch, is also a popular and energetic young settler, who has spent practically tho whole of his life in the district. Petition Re Crown Suits Act. A petition is being largely signed in Masterton, praying Parliament during the coming session to so amend tho Crown Suits Act, 1908, 'as to permit the Now Zealand Farmers' Distributing Company to prosecute an action against the Government to secure immunity from fnrthei damage 'o Its property in Wellington by reason of .the operations of the : State Coal Department. It is understood that similar petitions are being largely signed in other parts of the district. An unique suggestion was made by Mr. W. L. Falconer at the annual meeting of tho Masterton branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on Saturday. This gentleman, who knows something of the disabilities of dairy-farmers, expressed the opinion that tho charges made for milking-machines were altogether too high. He thought that members of the Farmers' Union should contribute, say, 10s. apiece, purchase the patent rights of a suitable milkingmachine, and supply tho machino to contributing members at cost price. In tho course of a discussion which followed, several members of the branch ventured the opinion that it would be difficult to discover which was the best machine on the market, and if ,that discovery were made tho patentees would not be anxious to sell. No action was taken. , Beautifinrj Activities. With the increasing demand for residential sites in Masterton, the whole of the natural scenery which graced tho outskirts of tho town, and formed a protection against westerly and southerly winds, has disappeared. The Masterton Trust Lands Trustees has conceived the very wholesome idea of devoting ono or more of its loss valuable sections to the cultivation of native shrubs and trees. One section, near the Public School, has already been handed over to the Education Board on condition that it is suitably fenced and planted. A Beautifying Society, similar to that which has done such excellent work in Palmerston North and other'townships, would bo a valuable adjunct to local progressive institutions. Tho Masterton Boxing Club has commenced its winter sessions, and, judging by the attendance of young men at the class-rooms, the "noblo art" promises to become an exceedingly popular form of sport and recreation. Farmers' Union: More Members Wanted. An energetic effort is to be made during the coming year to increase the membership of tho local branch of the Farmers' Union. Although tho meetings of the branch ■ are not frequently, held, tho good work done by tho executive, when matters affecting farming interests are involved, is freely admitted, and it is thought the least that farmers can do is to subscribe to the platform of the union, and give it the necessary financial assistance. As ono farmer pointed out at the annual meeting of the branch on Saturday; "If factory girls and workers can afford to pay 265. per year to their union, surely farmers can spare 10s. a year to have their interests safeguarded." Oil Syndicate, In company with an old resident ol this district, a representative of an oil syndicate recently visited Whareama and other portions of tho East Coast. It is reported that evidences of the existence of petroleum were found on several properties. In view of the boom in oil, it is to be hoped that the report is correct, and that a payable field may be developed in the Masterton district. Almost Crimeless Town. The absence of crime in Masterton is a subject of 'daily comment among old residents. The police report that there is "nothing moving" on the ordinary criminal side.- Whether this is a result •jf. No-License, tho special missions of religious revivalists, or tho progress of education, is, of course, a matter of individual opinion. The fact remains that the local police officers seem to experience the greatest. difficulty in "killing time."The Comet. A very fine view of Halley's Comet was again obtained about five o'clock this morning. The nucleus was for a time obscured by clouds, but was eventually distinctly seen, and the tail stretched upwards over a largo portion of the canopy. Many residents who had not 6een the comet for some days were astonished at the huge proportions assumed by tho tail, and the close proximity of the luminous matter to the horizon. A violent south-westerly gale visited the Wairnrapa yesterday. The velocity of tho wind, which was accompanied by intermittent downpours of rain, reached as high as fifty miles per hour. Trees have been blown down in all directions, and in a few instances fences have been Miscellaneous. Tho championship interval race for Mr. Kcrihoma's cup was flown i from Blenheim yesterday by the Masterton Homing Club, and resulted in a win for Mr. W. Hoar's "Red Ribbon," which did tho distance in 3 hours 57 minutes 15 seconds. Mr. J. Dixon's "Lady Lucy" was second, and Mr. .1. Syverston's "Little Mary" third. Thoro were twelve competing lofts. At a meeting of stewards of tho Masterton Racing Club on Saturday, it was decided, in deference to tho Napier Park Racing Club, which objected to March 17 and 18 being selected for the Autumn meeting, to apply to tho Racing Conference for March 23 and 21. ' The annual meeting of the Masterton branch of the Navy Leaguo is to be held this, evening. Tho annual report shows the branch to be in a sound financial condition. The Teceipts for the year amounted to .£SB Is., and tho expenditure to J!sl Ms. Id. Two accidents occurred during tho progress of a Rugby football, match on the"showgrounds on Saturday. G. Sowman, a member of the Red Star Club, sustained a fracture of the collar-bone, and 11. Waugh, of the same club, had a shoulder dislocated, and tho muscles of his neck strained.