MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 826, 26 May 1910, Page 9

MASTERTON NOTES.

PESTS AND THE REMEDIES, PERSONAL AND OTHER ITEMS. ffrom Our BDCCiai CorrosDondenL) Masterton, May 2^ At a mooting of the Slasterton Fire Hoard, Mr. J. U. Pauling wns elected to act us chairman during the absence of Mr. 0. Pragnell, who is leaving for Australia. It was decided to execute the deed of mortgage in connection with the loan for tho new premises in Queen Street. The estimated requirement of the borough of Masterton for general purposes for the year ending March 31 next is JM!)i9, which represents a jjonerul rate of 2{d. in the £ on the unimproved value of the borough. Considering the many substantial street and other improvements effected during the past, few years, the rates of the borough must be regarded as comparatively low. "Honour to Whom Honour, etc." A committee of ex-pupils of'the Masterton District High School and others was appointed last evening to arrange for an immediate canvas of the town, with a view to recognising the valuable services of Mr. W. H. Jackson, headmaster of the school, during the tvronty-one years he han been in charge. Mr. Jackson has soen the school grow from its infancy, until it has become one of the bestequipped scholastic institutions in tho Dominion. It has been decided to present the headmaster with a suitable memento, and to entertain at a social gathering in tho Town Hall. Considering that several of their best men wore unable to compete, the score put on by tho Opaki Rifle Club at the Fnpawai range on Tuesday, in tho "Daily Mail" Cup match, was exceedingly creditable. The weather conditions were almost perfect, and this fact was doubtlees rcMponsible lor the good shooting. The Ladies' Bracelet race in connection j. with tho llnsbrton Homing Club is to be flown from Woodville to-morrow afternoon. The club has decided to donate a tronhy to the owner of the winnim; bird, besides the valuablo bracelet which becomes tho property of the lady in whoso name tho winner is nominated. It is expected that between 130 and 140 birds will compete. Rating Religious Bodies' Properties. Commenting at tho meeting of the Masrertou borough Council on Tuesday evening upon the unsatisfactory position which obtains in regard to the rating of properties held by religious bodies, the Mayor (Mr. J. M. Coradine) said the lawwas so frequently amended that it was impossible to define the powers of local authorities for anything liko a definiteperiod. The special effort which is being made by the Building Committee of the 1.M.0.A. to raiso a sum of ,£ISOO towards erecting new buildings is meeting with an encouraging response. Up till yesterday a sum of .£O5l 7s. (id. had been promised. Tho engineer to the Masterton borough has prepared plans' of a> new type of cesspool for use in those parts of the borough that aro not served by the drainage system. The cost of the tank, which will afford direct contact with tho subsoil water, is estimated at .£ll. ■ Recent floods in tho WMngawa River liavo forced an entrance hbove tho borough boundary and scoured tho bed of tho estream at a point just lwlow the borough's pipe-lino across the stream through which the river supply is brought. It has been found necessary to put in a protective groyne at tho mouth of the stream. Hockoy has become' quito a popular sport so far as this district is concerned. To-morrow no fewer than flvo matches will bo played at Lnnsdownc, and 110 players will bo taking part in tho contests. For Poisoning; Tho Best Bait. Tho intimation that tho officers of the Stock Department in Mastorton ars preparing poisoned oats for winter poisoning operations may create n false impression in tho minds of some farmers. As a matter of fact the oats are being supplied only to certain farmers who have, an idea that they aro more efficacious than pollard. Years ago, when rabbit-poisoning operations ivero first instituted, phospliorieed oats were in common use. When pollard was introduced, oats speedily came into disfavour. Thero may bo a few who entertain the opinion that oats retain tho poison for a more lengthy period than pollard, and tha't it is consequently the better bait. Experience has demonstrated to the Department and tho great majority of however, that pollard is tho more effective poison. It is to say that where ono farmer will this season procure poisoned oats n hundred will pin their faith to pollard for winter poisoning. "Br'er Rabbit." Rabbit' Inspector T. C. Webb has been for some days visiting tho various properties in tho Tenui and surrounding districts, and his report upon tho condition of the country where rabbits are to be found will be awaited with some interest. In the meantiiuo it is reassuring to know that tho reputation which the Wairarapa at once enjoyed (?) of being, a rabbit-infested district is no longer cLeeerved. Tho persistence of settlers, and tho hearty co-operation of the Agricultural Department has reduced tho pest to a minimum. Knowing the fecundity Df tho burrowing rodent,in favourable seasons, however, farmers will be well advised in using'.every, legitimate means to keep tho pest completely under control. Stoats and Game. It may be true, a-s stated in tho repoTt of the Acclimatisation Society, that stoats and weasels have been, responsible in a measure , for the diminution in feathered game in this district. It is equally true that these uncanny creatures have been of great service hi keeping the rabbit nuisance in .subjection. The North Wairarapa Rabbit Board, which liberated thousands of tho natural enemy some years back, at considerable expense, will deserve the gratitude of many settlers. At the stock sale in Masterton to-day a lino of eighty store bullocks was passed in at «£C 55., and another line at £5 Vis. 6d. These prices aro considered to bo very good, in view of tho fact that tho stock haN yet to bo wintered. Tho demand for sheep offering was not as good as it might have- been. Deer Play Havoc, Deer aro becoming very numerous on fomo of tho hill country to the cast of Masterton, and farmers are not regarding them as by any means an unmixed blessing. A herd of thirty-five took possession of a settler's turnip paddock a few weeks back, and played havoc with the contents. "Water-Finding." Tho Rev. Mr. Mason, the well-known water-iinder, recently visited several properties at Wangachu and Upper Taueru. As a result of his investigations, Mr. Ucorge M'Kay, of Wangaehu, intends puttiiij. down a trial boro on his property for artesian walor. It is coniidontly oxpected that water will be found below the papa foundation. Fungus as a Check for Thistle. Mr. F. AV. H. Kiimmer, of Mauriceville, recently sent to the Agricultural 'Deportment a .specimen of California]! thistle which had been attacked by fungoid growth. The Department informs Mr. Kummer that experiments, as to value of fungus in checking the growth of Caliiqrnian thistle, are at present being carried out in tho South Island. Thero was a packed nudionce at the ICuripuni Methodist schoolroom last evening, when a concert wos held in aid of the piano fund. An excellent programme was submitted, which reflected great credit upon the promoters—Misses M. Burton, I. M'Konzio, and M. Pond.