LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Feilding Star, 23 December 1908, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

♦■ At a sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Waipawa last week, Frederick R. Gill was fined £5 and costs for throwing eggs in a public place at Waipukurau. Thus has the Feilding example been followed. Twelve Picton young men left last Monday evening to join the Hinemoa en route for the Campbefll Islands, dor a twelve months' whaling expedition. The party is well equipped, and is taking a specially-built motorlaunch. The members of the party are all sons of Te Awaite wlhaleris. A Masterton resident, who has just returned from an extended visit to the East Coast districts in the direction of. Mataikona, states that the j country he visited is looking extre- ] mely well at the present time, feed being abundant and stook in prime condition. The wool cllip is also most satisfactory. The Rev. J. L. Dove, the newlyappointed headmaster of WanganuiCollege (writes a London correspondent) is coming up to London from Durham shortly. On the 23rd December he is giving a dinner at the Trocadero for "old boys" of the Wanganui College who happen to be on this side of the world; there are agood many in and about London, The position of the s.s. Charles Edward, right on the end of the Wangan _i ""breakwater,' has completely bflboked work on . the north mole, ' which will be hung up till the wreck is shifted. The steamer appears to be settling down in the sand, iand, unless early salvage operations are possible, the only way to _hift her will be by blasting.

In this district (says the Daily News, Carterton) one or two*farmera have already commenced oats. Harvesting operations, are now well under way in this district (says the Dannevirke Press). Good crops are reported, especially in hay. When Parliament meets, it is generally understood (says the Lyttelton Times) that the new whips'' will be Mr H. J. Greenslado (Waikato) and Mr T. H. Davey (Christchurch East) or Mr G. Witty (Riccartou). With a large number of lambs available this year (says the Christchurch Press), a' very low price is being offered by export buyers tor mutton, and in such a good fattening season and plentiful supplies the decline that is steadily taking place m its values of fat sheep is likely to continue for some time longer. The Agricultural Department is having considerable areas of land in Contral Otago examined in order to determine where irrigation would be most beneficial. When a decision has been arrived at, the Pubhc Works Department, which has already made some surveys, will proceed with the work. A oompany of the Feilding District High School cadets, comprising^ B. Watson, W. Burnett, S. Matthews, A. Downer, and E. Buckridge, (left for Palmerston this morning to shoot for the Vernon Cup. The other competbig cadets are those f i-6m the Palmerston, Terrace End, Foxton, Napier, Woodville. and Wanga__i srihools. The Masterton labour market is reported to be rather quiet still, though it has improved of late and is still improving. Harvestng is absorbing a number of fai'in labourers, while there is still a demand for milkers. A local labour agent informed the Age that though the market is quiet, tiiere are not a great many men idle 'm that town. The little town of Naseby, about one hundred miles from Dunedin, has supplied four Stipendiary Magistrates now on the Bench in the dominion, viz.— Messrs McCarthy (Na- ' pier), Cutten (Waikato), and the two most recently appointed Magistrates, Messrs Kerr and Kirk. They all practised at different times at Naseby, as also did Mr A. L. Herdman, M.P. for Wellington ■ North. There is at present staying at the Waiokura pa, near Manaia, not far from Hawera, an interesting visitor, Julia sometimes called "the Grace Darling of New Zealand." In the year 1863 she assisted in saving the crew of the Deleware, a deed recognised by the people of Nelson by the gift of a watch, still in her possession. An account of the heroic act is printed in "Saunder's History of New Zealand," page 97. The story also appears in Standard IV Longman's Readers, used by school pupils with the approval of the Education Board. The Clieltenham-lviwitea Athletic Club's annual sports, to be 'held on New Year's Day, promise to rival the many popular gatherings of the past. The committee have the arrangements wtlll in hand, the track is now being put in order, tho services of the Manchester Brass Band have been secured, the catering is in the hands of Mr W. J. Jones, of Feilding, and nominations are coming in freely. Competitors will please note that nominations close with the seoretary on the Feilding sports ground on December 26. A glance at the programme will show that every class is well catered for, and those who enjoy clean sport and. a good day's outing cannot do better than patronise these sports on January 1. Friday next (Christmas Day) will be observed as a close holiday by fche Postal branch. Mails usually closing on that day will be made np at 7.45 p.m. on Thursday, and a delivery of correspondence will be made over the counter between 7 and 8 p.m. The Telegraph branch will open -for half an hour only, from 5 to 5.30 p.m. The Telephone Exchange will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. only. On Saturday (Boxing Day) the Postal branch will be open from 9 to 10 a.m. (Money Order and Savings Bank work excepted). All mails will close at 8. a.m. sharp. The Telegraph branch will be open from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 7 to 8 p.m. The Telephone Exchange will remain open all day as usual, on Saturday. A Fei'ldtug motorist named William Edge was yesterday fined 40s and 19s costs in _ie Wanganui Court for runniiyf his oar round the Clothing Factory corner at an extreme speed on a recent date. The hearing of the case occupied the greater part of the morning sitting. The S.M., in giving his decision (says the Herald) said the speed at which motor-cars were allowto be driven was a serious matter. When driving in a safe plaw., where there was no danger to the public, the cars might be taken at a fast pace, out in busy thoroughfares, where all the elements of danger were, caution had to be exercised. Through the actions of indiscreet motoristis discredit was brought on others who wero compelled -to suffer with the guilty. Under date November 15, a London correspondent wrote: The Right ltev. the Bishop of Wellington and Mrs Wallis have now brought to a close their somewhat lengthy visit to the Mother Country. They started from London to-day, bound for 1 Naples, there to join on the 22nd iust. the Orient liner Orotava. Transhipping at Sydney, they expect to land in Wellington on December 30. The last few weeks have naturally been taken up by, a round of farewells. An important outcome of Bishop Wallis's visit to England has been the arrangements he has been able to make for new clergy to go out to the Wellington diocese, so that all the vacant cures there will he filled. Clergy from this country are going out respectively ,to Bulls, Martinborough, Raetihi, Karori, and (possibly) Brooklyn. There seems to be quite a probability that Christchurch will try the experiment of the Saturday half-holi-has been observed on Thursday for many years past, but the agitation in favour of the observance of Saturday has been growing, and it has the enthusiastic support of most of those who are interested in sport as well as some of the largest retail firms. -On Monday night the City Council, which was called upon to elect delegates to the conference that fixes the day, was evenly divided on the subject, but, after listening to large deputations from either side, and discussing the matter at length, it decided in favour of Thursday, on the casting vote of "the Mayor. The supporters of Saturday have already secured the signatures of the necessary per cent, of the burgesses to a requisition for a poll on the sub. ject, and this petition will now be presented, because the decision of the Council is in effect the decision of the conference. There .is good ground for believing that the poll' will result in favour of Saturday. Writes our London correspondent, under diate November 7: Mr AlTfred Lofimann, of Messrs Lohmann and Co., the general agente for the Nordeutscher Lloyd Company, has returned* to Sydney, after a seven years' absence. In an interview with a leading daily London newspaper, Le is reported as remarking* that it was very strange to him that Australasians do not cater more for tlhe trade of Germany. That country, he said, with its population of sixty-three millions, was the very ' oountry, to his mind, where a big bulk of Australian ■and New Zealand products could be consumed. The market is so much larger than the Australasian market, and it is growing rapidly every year. Population is .increasing at the rate of 1,000,000. a year. Nor is there any great inc_nation on tlhe part of Germans to leave their native land. The average fate of emigration is 22,000 a year only, which is convincing proof that, Germany has no ambition in the direction of colonising. As a matter of fact, during tlhe average years, 1,000,000 workmen are imported 1 from Austria _nd Italy. It seemed, therefore, that there was a splendid mair.et for Australasian produce in Germany, and -jMr Lohmann expressedgreat sfurprise at tlhe fact that, the commonwealth and the dominion do not see that it is to their interest to take advantage of it.

Mr William Merry, of Feilding, who had been suffering for some time with consumption, died this morning. He leaves a wife and family of small children. From the garden of Mr H. Worsfold in Queen-street three pods of broad beans were picked at random. They measured 12in., 9iin., and 9in. respectively. It will please breeders or Jersey stock to learn that the department has decided to purchase Jersey stock for its Weraroa experimental farm. A Jersey bull is to be at once obtained for crossbreeding, and female stock will be purchased later on. Eliza Hoskings, a girl attending tho Featherstou scuool, has a fine record of attendance. In the eight years she has been attending the school., she has not missed once in seven years, and in the other year was detained a week or two through illness. The Druids' Lodge last evening Bros. Garrett, Morton, and Patterson as delegates to the Friendly Societies' Council for the coming term. B_k>s. Hyland, Furniss, Hill, Groombridge, and Gannon were elected as the Social Committee for the current half-year. A.D. Bro. Furniss presided. Charles Pollock, the newsboy who, on the occasion of tho recent visit to Belfast of Madame Melba, Jaid a bundle of papers on the footpath from the hotel to the carriage to prevent the distinguished singer getting her shoes wet, has received- a letter from Madame Melba, in which she says she will always remember his chivalrous action. She adds that vshe knows that he will grow up a brave and honourable man, and she hopes his path through life may be made easy and bright by the kindness of others. She enclosed a cheque for £5. A number of Christmas publications are to hand. From the publishers comes a copy of the Auckland Observer's Annual, in which the industry and humour of "Bio" are again fully demonstrated, and the editor has provided a varied literary' fare. From the New 7 South Wales Bookstall Co. (Sydney), comes No. 2 of Rowlandson's Success, the clumsy title of a volume of Australian literature and art that is better than good. The issue before us contains the winning contributions in the literary competitions, together with other excellent stories and verse by Aastralia's rising writers. All the way from London (through Messrs Gordon and Gotch, (Wellington) comes a copy of Cassell's Christmas number, with a handsome picture in colours by Maurice Griffenhagen, a separate and complete romantic novel by Marjorie Bowen (author of "The Viper of Milan"), and a magazineful of good things literary and artistic. Speaking to an Auckland Star reporter of the progress that has been made in the King Country and all along the Main Trunk line, Mr Jennings, M.P., said the change which is being wrought is simply amazing. Everywhere the land is being subdivided and converted into splendid grazing country. At Ohura the grass lands are wonderfully fine, and one property formerly owned by Mr W. Williams, is now stated to be carrying 4i sheep to the acre. This, he says, will come as a surprise to many, but it is indicative of the splendid season which has been experienced. The stock are looking .excellent, and everywhere the conditions are at theii* best. Right through the King Country dairy factories are springing up everywhere. A large cheese factory has been installed at Rangataua, and a big dairy factory at Kawliia. The roading of the King Country at last seems to be nearing some satisfactory conclusion, and everywhere during his recent comprehensive tour of the huge Taumarunui electorate he found the settlers in great heart.