"MESSIAH."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 142, 15 December 1908, Page 8

"MESSIAH."

The Wellington Musical Union is giving a performance of "The Messiah" on Tuesday next, with their large chorus, string orchestra, and organ, at the Town Hall, at 8 o'clock. Miss Phoebe Parsons, A.R.C.M., will sing the soprano solos; Mrs. D. Basham, of Auckland, will sin^ the contralto work; Mr. E. J. Hill the tenor; and Mr. J. W. Callaghan, of Aberdeen, the baritone solos. Mr. Laurence F. Watkins, Mus. Bac, will preside at the organ, and Mr. Robert Parker will conduct. Popular prices will be charged. The box-plan is now opan at the Dresden.

The prospects of the harvest in the Wairavapa never looked better, said Mr. A. W. Hogg, M.P., to a Post reporter this morning. In fact, he added, the year has been almost exceptional in that respect. Rain has been in very moderate supply, there have been no heavy falls during the winter, and nothing in the shape of floods big enough to do any damage. In fact, farmers were afraid that there was rather a shortage, but the absence of moisture is not affecting the soil in any way, because the growth of grass, cereals, and root crops has never been better. Sheep and cattle are plump and healthy, and lambs have been in really splendid condition. There has been a great production of lambs, and farmers have been making big profits out of sales. The wool clip is a very heavy one, and the state of the markets is distinctly conducive to cheerfulness on the part of the growers. On the other hand, said Mr. Hogg, Masterton itself is duller than usual, i^any carpenters are out of employment ; the place is suffering from the effects of over-build-ing. Residents, unable to invest their money in other directions, have been putting up cottages, and now the oldiashioned residences are one by one becoming empty. The number of houses "to let" in Masterton is greater than has been the case for years. Many of the residents have gone to take up land along the Main Trunk railway. That is a matter for regret, but it is the invariable result of the opening of new and large areas. The same thing happened some years ago, when the Forty Mile Bush was opened for selection. » At a meeting of the 1. 0.X. Lodge, Carterton, last night, Bro. W. Tucker was elected secretary in place of Bro. J. Preddy, who takes over the- duties of treasurer. Court Lady Glasgow, No. 8261, met last evening in tha Foresters' Hall, Lambton-quay, C.R. Sister Colquhoun presiding. Nominations for office were received.