COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 914, 6 September 1889, Page 24

COUNTRY NEWS.

& MASTERTON. ■ <*- IFROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) August 30. Quite a number of cases under tlie Rabbit Act were set down for hearing in the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, but up to the time of writing no judgments had been recorded. In the case of the Inspector against W. and V. Wardell, Mr Beard, for the defence, raised the point that the information showed on the face of it that it was for an offence alleged to have been committed more than six months prior to its date, whereas the Rabbit Act provided that it must have been committed within six months. Mr Bunny defended the information at some length, but, when his Worship reserved his decision, asked leave to amend it. The question thus raised was also allowed to stand over. Some of the creditors in Beckmann’s estate are beginning to ask themselves the question whether they would not have been better, off if they had allowed the debtor to get clear away. It is true that they obtained nearly L3OO by having him arrested ; but the expenses ot the prosecution will probably absorb all this. The trial in the Resident Magistrate’s Court spread over three full days, and twentytwo witnesses, who were, of course, kept hanging about the Court all the time, were examined. When the case was concluded yesterday evening Mr Bunny, who had conducted the prosecution, asked the Bench to certify to costs. LieutenantColonel Roberts, however, said that the police did not appear in the case at all, except that they had arrested the accused, and he therefore refused the application. There are all the expenses of the Supreme Court trial yet to come. September 3. The members of the Masterton Chess Club concluded a handicap tournament last night, the prize offered being a copy of “ Cook’s ” synopsis. Messrs E. O. Smith (fourth class) and W. Kummer (second class) had tied, each having lost only one game. The play-off resulted in favour of Mr Kummer. It is probable that a toui’nament for the championship of the Club will be played before the summer comes on. The rainfall in Masterton, as taken by Mr Coubourne at the Railway Station, was only 1‘75 inches during the month of August. This is said to be the lowest for that month in 24 years. I am, however, not aware that a rain-gauge has been, in use in Masterton for that length of time. Anyhow, the matter is very serious, for the ground is exceedingly dry. What little rain there was was spread over fifteen days, and the moisture was always quickly drawn up again by severe frosts. The season has given farmers every opportunity to get their crops in, but it has not given the seeds sown much of a start. The nominations for the annual municipal elections closed to-day. There are three vacant seats, and the Mayoral party, as well as the Opposition, has nominated three candidates, the former being represented by Messrs W. Cullen, H. E. Eton and T. Wragg (the two former being sitting Councillors), and the latter Messrs S. E. Gapper, E. E. Chamberlain, and T. G. Mason, the former being now in the Council. A good deal of interest is likely to be taken in the contest.