WAIRARAPA NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 149, 21 December 1897, Page 6

WAIRARAPA NEWS. [BY TELEGRAPH.-OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Masterton. This Day. The work of disinfecting the phylloxerainfected vineries was commeuced to-day. The Minister of Agriculture has decided that the work of destruction is in the interests of grape-growers generally, and the Department will bear the expense. The Town Lands Trust has resolved to make standing supplementary scholarship grants to the local winners of Education Board scholarships of £10 each, this sum to be supplemented on the personal application of parents under special circumstances. The new rifle range at Mauriceville is to be opened on Boxing Day. Mr. Edwin Feist, Chairman of the Mastertou School Committee, will probably bo a candidate at the next Education Board election. Mr. T. W. Kirk to-day brought up for Dr. Hocking two tree frogs imported with others from Australia by the Agricultural Department as absolutely insectivorous. Mr. Kirk says the pec-wee, Jacky Winter, and the Australian swallow, all insectivorous birds, are being imported.

A conference was held this morning between the Premier and those who have been opposing the Technical Education Bill in its present form; but no compromise could be arrived at, aud the Bill is now dead. The Christmas card has long since passed into an institution, and no better proof of its hold upon popular regard can be furnished thau its adoption by the Postal Department of the country. To-day we have received specimen copies of the new Christmas postal card of the General Post Office, of which we are told that of a limited issue of 250,000 there have been prepared 16,000 for the present holiday season. Since for Id and lid they furnish postage on an open letter and a charming set of New Zealand views in colours for transmission to the colonies and foreign countries respectively, they should find general favour and be iv great demand. The Secretary of the Boys' Institute acknowledges the following annual subscriptions : — Messrs. George & Kersley, £2 2s ; W. Cable & Co., A. J*. M'Tavish & Co., and M. Chapman, £1 Is each ; J. Jack & Sons, "W. M. Hannay, and Charles Hulke, £1 each; George Mcc, 10s 6d; W. H. Milward, 10s ; and a donation of £5 from Eight Hours Demonstration Committee. On the s.s. Monowai, which left Sydney on Saturday last at midnight for Wellington direct, there is a large English mail, con sisting of 83 bags, for Wellington (London dates 12th November). The vessel should arrive in time for the early morning delivery on Thursday. The Catholics of Dunedin have presented to Bishop Yerdon a landau and a pair of horses. At the annual meeting of the Poneke Football Club, Mr. Joseph Myers, a VicePrejident of the club, announced his intention of presenting a trophy for competition. Mr. Myers has just received, and is about to forward to the club, three handsome gold medals of unique designs, which will be allotted as the committee directs. Th§ Southland Frozen Meat Company is inviting tenders for £30,000 worth of debentures at 5 per cent. It offers the purchasers security over the entire freehold and leasehold property of the company, the book value of which stands at present at £62,884, also £8500 of uncalled capital. The proceeds will be applied to extinguish all other outside liabilities, including bank overdraft. It has always been a very difficult matter for those desiring a really first-class oldmatured spirit, either for medicinal or ordinary use, to know what to ask for. Of the three-star wln'sky manufactured by Messrs. James Watson & Co., Dundee, the Public Analyst of Dundee (Mr. S. D. Macdougall) certifies as follows : — '" This is to certify that after a particular analysis of samples of James Watson & Co. 'a whiskies, I find them to be of sound quality, thoroughly matured, and free from deleterious ingredients . Whisky of this standard of purity can be highly recommended and used with confidence." This firm is well-known as one of the largest distillers in the world. In another column Messrs. Wilkins and Field advertise more Christmas bargains. The proprietors of The Economic announce to-day the result of their literary and guesbing competitions, the judge's award being published in our advertising columns, together with the name of the winner of the guessing contest. The handsome Xmas presents that are being given away draw crowds of customers daily at C. Smith's, the Cash Draper, Cubastreet. The shop and showroom, are crowded from morning till night. As an additional attraction* Mr. C. Smith is offering special bargains in lace curtains, linoleums, sunshades and umbrellas, ladies' mantles and blouses, which will be found exceptional value. Men's and boys' clothing will also go very cheap up to Xmas. — Advt. i