WAIRARAPA NEWS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 7, 8 July 1909, Page 8

WAIRARAPA NEWS.

[E^TELEGKAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] MASTERTON, This Day. For some time past there have been somewhat warm discussions at the meetings of, the Borough Council over the appointment of a clerk to a position in the Masterton gas office. Out of J.OB applicants the number was eventually reduced to two, one being a resident of Masterton and the other of Christchurch. The Gas Committee eventually decided to refer the two names to the full couucil for a final selection, but on the casting Vote of the Mayor the matter •was referred back to the Gas Committee, ■with instructions to recommend to the council the man whom they considered best fitted for the position, the recommendation to be eventually confirmed by the council. The Christchurch applicant v?as finally recommended, but at the last meeting of "the council the members, by a vote of five to three, threw out the committee's proposal, and an amendment was moved . that the local man be appointed. The Mayor ruled that he could not accept the amendment, stating that the Gas Committee's recommendation was final. A notice of motion has been handed in by Councillor Hoar, having for its object the bringing of the council back to exactly where it Started. r Local labour agents report that the number of men seeking work is steadily on the increase, but that very few vacancies are offering. The amount of scrub and bush felling that is usually undertaken at this time of the year is practically nil, whilst fewer men are being engaged on farms and stations. A farmer who advertised for two men to cut forty cords of firewood states thai, he-had quite 100 applicants for the work, the majority of whom were very hard up and anxious to get employment. There 13 a better tone in the land market. During the past few weeks a number of properties have been purchased in this district at prices not much below those ruling eighteen months ago. It is anticipated that irf the wool sale? open well next season, and the butter and cheese markets are favourable, that propei ty will again change hands freely. - . GREYTOWN. GREYTOWN, This Day. The Government expert in fruit culture, Mr. Nottage, is about to pay us /t visit and give demonstrations as to the proper method of pruning and spraying fruit trees. This exhibition should be taken advantage of by all interested in fruit-growing, as the department hereafter will be more strict in enforcing the law on those neglecting to spray as required. Constable Larkin, of Kilbirnie, has arrived here tt> relieve Constable Armour, who is going to Patea to take up duties there.