LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1132, 12 March 1910, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

| Last year 118 teachers attended the Education Board's training classes at Feilding.

A Raglan settler estimated that several hundred pounds' worth of grass and clover seed were eaten by quail in that county alone every season. 11. J. Scott, the well-known New Zealand wrestler, w.as almost as easily defeated by Alex. Bain at Stratford this week as by Hackenschmidt in Wellington recently. A troop of Boy Scouts lias been formed at Cambridge. There is now hardly a town in the Auckland district which has not one or more troops of Scouts. The Education Department sets out in another column details for the examinations' of the City and Guilds of London Institute 'and the Science and Art examinations of the Board of Education, London. The postal authorities advise that tho Miihcno, which left Sydiiov on Wednesday, for Auckland, has on board an English and Australian mail for Wellington, which is clue in Feilding on Alonday next by tho Main Trunk express. The greater part of the cropped land between Timaru and Studholme has been skim ploughed. What winter feed has been sown presents a healthy appearance, although not so much has been grown as in previous years. Following) the improvement in tho butter market, the Eltham Dairy Company has decided to pay another penny per lb. for butter fat supplied in October, November and December. The previous payment ivas lOd for October and November, and 9|d for December. Residents along the Cheltenham, and Kiwitea countryside will be specially interested in the concert whicli to be held at Celtenham next Wednesday evening. It will make an excellent finish to the day's outing. Mr Guthrie, .M.P., is to occupy the chair at the concert. At the conference of district commanding officers, which has finished its sittings in Wellington on the new Defence Act, following board was appointed to select two training grounds (one in the North and one in the South Island): Mr W. C. Kensington, 1.5.0., Under-Secretary for Lands, Mr J. Strauchon,. Surveyor-General, and Colonel Tuson. Owing to slackness in the demand for tim.er two sawmills in the Western district, ajtnploying fifty hands, have closed down (says the Southland News).. It is stated that building operations in Dunedin are quiet, and that this has something to do with the difficulty in finding markets. It is, however, expected that there will bo an improvement in the demand in a. few weeks' time. The Chinese believe that a man's children suffer for his sins in various ways, said Mr Hwang, "and if a merchant gives short weight the sin may result in his descend ante having tiny eyes, or very flat noses, or limbs out of proportion." Apparently this is a. punishment on kindergarten principles —short weight in goods for the customer, short allowance -in features for the children.

Mr Charles Blake's Dramatic Company is to produce " The Land of the Living" at Feilding, on Easecr Alonday. According to the Taihape Times, all the men deny luiving had anything to do with the Annabel incident at the Taihape engine-shed. Before Mr G. Kirton, J.P., at the •Sourt this morning, a first offending drunkard named Honnor was convicted and discharged. 'At the Baptist Church, Feilding, to-morow evening, Pastor Swinerd will give an address on the second coming of Christ. The river is so dirty after yesterday's Tain that it is to be hoped the filters are doing their duty to-day ■at the reservoir. Prize-winners at the Feilding Horticultural Show who did not receive their prizes last night, may obtain the money on aplication at the Stak office on Monday next. The directors of the Taranaki Petroleum Company last night considered a cabled inquiry from London airing the soiling price of all rights and properties, and decided to cable tonus, subject to the approval of the shareholders. Among the witnesses in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, in a case in which, among other matters, an old cottage was concerned, was the father of seventeen children. Witness explained that three of his children slept in the cottage. " because they overflowed, and lie had to put them somewhere,' ' IMr -ohn Hen.on, of Waitohi, who has just received particulars of tho disposal of his clip at the January wool sales, got ls Id per lb for fleece wool, the pieces bringing- S_d. Mr Henson is one of the strongest advocates in the district of wool-classing, and is especially loud in his orasies of the classes carried on by the Wanganui Education Board . The results of tho Trinity College theoretical examinations held in December have reached the local, secretary (Herr K. Berger), and are as follows: Senior Division—Pass: Clara Agnes Perry (teacher, Mr 11. Temple White, (i Oman-Its. Junior Division— Honours: Doris Amanda Rucroft (Miss Hunter, 80; Pass: Annie -Mabel Farmer (Miss Hunter), 74 Ida -May Farmer (Miss Hunter). 70. Thus a correspondent to the editor oi the Haivera Star: --lio your remarks on native husbandry, it may be interesting to learn that a native supplier (Ngehe Tiwai) has topped the test for the last four .months at the Mleremere factory, whicli shows that the Maori not only keeps good cattle, but knows how to handle thorn to best advantage. Several natives arc supplying milk at Obangai, and the tests are good in each case."

During the hearing of a case, at the Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, involving betting and racing, Mr Cassidy remarked that most people made wagers on the racecourse. '"Do you wish me to believe," tho Magistrate asked, "that everyone who goes to the course goes there to bet." The others are tho exceptions," replied Mr Cassidy. "Then what is the country coming to?" demanded the Magis"trate. After considering numerous representations made to him by merchants .and farmers in the South' Island, the Minister for Railways (Hon. .J. A. Millar) has decided that the maximum gross weight of sacks of grain carried on the railways shall be 2061b per sack, as at present, but the penalty will no longer vary with the distance the prodiuce is" carried. A uniform penalty of £3 per truck will be imposed whenever tiie maximum gross weight is exceeded. The entries for the cheese and butter class at 'the Manawatu Winter Show in June constitute a record— 300, as against 201 last year. The butter factories entered include AwaImri, _-_iti, Rongotea, Kairanga, Makino, Bunnythorpe, Rangiwahia, Rualiine, Cheltenham, and Glen Oroua. The cheese factories include Makino and Cheltenham. Eleven entries have been received in the judging competition for factory managers. Advices have been received by the Mines Department of-the discovery, on Crown land, in. the interior of tho North Island, of a valuable seam of coal. Samples of the coal have been sent to AVellington, and examined by experts, whose reports, it is understood, are distinctly favourable. Full tests are to be .made both as to the extent of he seam aud the quality of the coal. Meanwhile the Lands Department has reserved the reported seam and a large adjoining area from sale. The proposal of the Government to lease the seal, fisheries on the islands adjacent to the coast of New Zealand has not yet been carried out. Only one tender was received, and that was for the right to take' seals on the Bounty and Antipodes Islands, 'bu it was not considered satisfactory, and has not been accepted. Meanwhile the close season for seals has, by Order-in-Council, gazetted last night, been extended from June 30 next to June 30, 1911. This Order-lii-Council can, .however,- be revoked if circumstances arise to make such a step advisable.

Splendid entries have been received tor the dairy factory division of the National Dairy Show to be held in Palmerston in Juno next. Close on 300 entries were received in these classes, as .against 201 last year. The entries have come from every province of the Dominion, and the largest, entry is 48 for box export butter. The Weddell Challenge Cup shows another large entry, a.-T also does the Shaw-Savill Challenge Cup lor best box of butter from cold store. The New Zealand Shipping Company's Challneg. Cup for the best three eases of full cream cheese, coloured, brought 21 entries, and the best white 22 entries. At an unregistered Maori race meeting held at Tokomaru (says tho Gisborne Herald) some amusing scenes were witnessed. In one race a horse with the peculiar name of '•Hot Stuff" was a contestant, and was heavily backed, especially by the Maori women, and when Hot' Stuff came in first there was great rejoicniß'. The lucky ones, unable to' re-v-train their pent-up excitement, burst forth into a stirring haka. In a following sprint, however. Hot Stuff suffered defeat, and having been supported almost to a man by the Maoris a very different tune 'greeted the horse as he tailed behind the others. For years past the Congo region has been a subject of interest to most civilised countries, owing to the cruel maladministration of the late King Leopold. One of he men who did a great deal to check the rapacity of the Belgian was George Grenfell." As pioneer missionary for the Baptist Missionary Society, Mr Grenfell won bune as an explorer, a diplomat, and above all as a messenger of the' Gospel. It is the intention of the Rev. G. Budd to deliver a lecture on Grcn--1.11 s "Life and Work" in the Presbyenan Church to-morrow cveninoand a hearty invitation is given to all interested to attend.

In the Supreme Court in Palmerston yesterday William James Pye, bankrupt, a carpenter, of Rongotea. was publicly examined before Mr Justice Sim. His assets, as shown, -were £309 and debts £341 17s lid. The statement of assets showed the furniture, to be worth £15. He admitted having insured it for £100, and had given its estimated value to the insurance company at £130. Some of the furniture was claimed by his wife —about £20 worth. That, he admitted, did not account for the difference. He never kept any record of what moneys he owed. Ho'never made up a statement at any time before his bankruptcy to find out' how no stood. He stai-tea! in business in March, 1908, as a builder and contractor, with a capital of about £7 He had five contracts, and, so far as ho knew, he only lost money on one. He wasn't sure about the 'rest. He secured land on lease with a purchasing clause, and -built a house worth £34.0, which was finished in May, 1909. He had been in difficulties since. He had been told by a meeting of hi. creditors' that he could stay, in-the house after his bankruptcy so long as he paid the rent. He had not paid the 'rent. The D.O.A.'s representative had valued the furniture at £25. His Honour made an order declaring the public examination closed.

Some good crops ai-e reported from light land in the Ashburton district this season. Mr W. Long, of Kyle, has threshed out .45 bushels an acre from 100 acres oil Garton oats. Notice of motion has been given for next meeting of tho Borough Council to rescind the resolution which, at last meeting, threw out the Town Hall proposal. .Those intending to spend their Easter holidays on the Wanganui river should book their passages and accommodation at new Pipiriki House early. The Easter excursions on 'the Wanganui river are always popular. On Good Friday morning the special al-night train from Wellington connects with the river steamer at Aramoho junction. Attention is called to the visit of the Yorkshire Nightingale to Feilding. The renowned singer gives his famous concert recital in the Drill Hall on -Monday evening, and all lovers of a good ontertpimnent will be amply repaid for attending. Air Bacon' lias been described by leading journals as a second Mcl 18. Spur, and i„ commended by many of the leading musical authorities in the Old Country. Recently Air E. J. Riddiford, who is one o! the most expert judges in New Zealand, inspected tho Romnev Alarsh sheep -which Mr Khiest Short is taking to the Argentine Show. Asked by the Star what lie thorn.it of the animals. Air Riddiford replied: "They are twenty in number and are magnificent sheep. They are almost perfect, _it being very difficult to find a fault in them. Such shoe]) loavin. our shores are a loss to tho Dominion.' and Mr Short, in parfciiio- with so valuable a strain of blood, runs a very great risk in making such a drain on bis (lock. However, that is his business; and there, is- no doubt of his ont.rpn-iso." A ver ypleasant little gathering >'n the form of a picnic was held ntthe river reserve near the new bridge atLondon's Ford, in order to give the children attending the Coal Creek school a day's outing and sports. MiGeorge Smith, who was the prime mover in getting up the gathering, deserves considerable credit for it. The pri.es presented to the lucky winners of _ the races were procured from tho Kimbolton stores of Messrs Hansen and Son and L. Sutton ,and were very good and useful. Several Kimbolton residents were present. At the conclusion of the picnic, Mr M_ AY. Buchler (teacher) thanked Mr and Mrs 0. Smith for their kindness, and called for three cheers-, which were heartily given.