MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 20

MASTERTON.

Masterton, June 7. The cup pigeon match fired in connection with tho North Wairarapa Gun Club today was won by Mr E. M. D. Whatman (who killed nine out of ten birds). Mr Hive was second. Mr C. C. Cockburn Hood won the handicap sweepstake. Miss Leila Adair was to have made a balloon ascent in tho public park to-day, but during the process of inflation an explosion occurred, and the balloon was destroyed. There were about 1000 people on the ground, who displayed signs of great disappointment. The manager for Miss Adair intimated that a now balloon would be procured from Wellington, and a free show c:iven. The weekly meeting of tho Masterton Literary and Debating Society was held in tho Foresters Hall on Wednesday evening. A very interesting address was given by Mr T. C. D'Arcy, one of the vice-presidents, on the introduction of Chinese to the Australasian colonies. After the address, several readings were given by members. At the next meeting the subject of tho debato will be, " Is tho Government using every available means for relieving the unemployed?" Two femalo lunatics wore committed to the Wellington Lunatic Asylum to-day. One was brought in from Alfredton, and the other from Mauriceville. The Alfredton lady is suffering from a somewhat strange hallucination. Sho is under the impression that sho is a relative of tho Queen, and that she is continually having audience with Her Majesty. Mr Alexander Thompson, a popular youn" resident of this town, was married this "afternoon to Miss Fanny Wood, daughter of Mr G. M. Wood. A two-year-old daughter of Mrs Low, of the Star Hotel, was pushed off a sofa yesterday by her brother, and received a fracture of tho arm. Tho limb was set by Dr Butement. Sir Patrick Buckley is representing tho Ministry at the bridge-opening ceremony at Tiraumea to-day. Mr Parkinson, the popular school teacher at Drcyertown, has been transferred to To Aro school. He will be greatly missed by parents and children alike. Mr Cairns, a well-known settler of the East Coast, was married yesterday to Miss Isabella Clift. The ceremony was per-

formed by tho Rev. Robert Wood, in the Masterton Presbyterian Church. June 0.

At a mooting of tho committee of tho Agricultural and Pastoral Association this afternoon, it was decided that the next annual show bo held on a day as near as possible to the dato of the show of last year. It was also resolved that a fanners' class for sheep bo included in tho catalogue. Mr R. Parker, of Wellington, instructed the teachers of the Wairarapa in singing to-day. The annual examination in music in connection with Trinity College took place to-day. Mr William Knight, coachman to Mr 11. H. Beotham, was married to-day to Miss Fyffe, of Timaru. Miss Leila Adair was to givo an ascent at the Park Oval to-day with a new balloon, but she did not put in an appearance, and the public were further disappointed. At the annual meeting of the Horticultural Society held on Friday night, Mr W. 11. Beetham was elected president, Dr Butoment and Mr A. A. Elkins vice-presi-dents, and Mr J. C. Alpass secretary. A strong general committee was elected, together with a committee to revise rules. It was decided that no further chrysanthemum shows bo held.

Sir Patrick Buckley was interviewed by a deputation of settlers of Alfredton, and asked if the Government would subsidise a third bridgo over the Tiraumea River, and assist in making roads. Ho replied that he would bring the matter under tho notice of the Government.

The railway lino at Mauriceville is being ballasted.

A narrow escapo from tho destruction of a house by fire is recorded, the sparks from the fireplace having caught several articles of clothing, and burnt them to a cinder in tho absence of tho mistress of the house. During the absence of the licensee at Mastortou the premises of tho Makuri Hotel were broken into and taken possession of by roughs. Masterton, Juno 11. A meeting of tho General Committee of tho Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held in the Club Hotel on Saturday, the president (Mr A. W. Cave) in the chair. The resignation of Mr C. Anketell as a member was accepted. It was decided that the next annual show be hold about the same dato as tho show of last year. A farmers' class in sheep was added to the catalogue. Tho committee which had devoted itself to clearing tho now show-ground, and tho delegates to tho recent Agricultural Conference, were accorded hearty votes of thanks.

The institution of a faimers' class in sheep by tho Agricultural and Pastoral Association will have a most appreciable effect upon the shows of tho future. Tho district is essentially ono of small farms, and tho Association' relies for its support upon small settlers, who, in the past, have been placed in rather unfair competition with those breeding sheep for sale. Tho settlers of the Upper Plain have given a substantial guarantee of cows and shares to tho New Zealand Dairy Farmers' Union. Tho secretary of tho Union (Mr D. H. Roberts) visits Masterton on Wednesday, and will then probably commuicato the decision of the directors regarding the acceptance or otherwise of tho guarantee.

Tho decision of the Masterton Licensing Bench to grant tho whole of tho licenses in the district has been received with feelings of general satisfaction by the community. The Bench has wisely decided to strictly enforce the Act, and there appears to be every prospect of its thorough observance throughout the district Mr Joseph Mandcl, tho licensee of the Club Hotel, told the Licensing Bench on Saturday that he was endeavouring to arrange with his fellow-publicans to refuse to servo any person who was recognised as a habitual drunkard. This, he considers, would do away with tho necessity for prohibition orders.

The Licensing Bench has fixed the fee for accomniodation-honso licenses at £lo per annum. It has also cautioned Masterton publicans against serving drinks on Sunday or to prohibited or drunken persons. It is stated that a considerable number of rabbiters in this district, with largo packs of dogs, have been dismissed of late by station-holders, who state that with " foxa " poison they can do with a much smaller number of hands than previously.

A man had the misfortune to fall from a trolly at Baillio's mill, near Eketahuna. He sustained a fracture of two of his ribs, and was attended by I) r Baker. A report was current in town to-day that a case of diphtheria was under treatment. It would appear, however, that the report is without foundation, for the local Board of Health knows nothing of the matter. Messrs Williams and Beetham have just had a box attached to the under gear of one of their waggons. This box will carry a large quantity of road metal, and it is so constructed that it may be tipped without difficulty and the metal deposited where considered necessary. Several Masterton residents report having seen portions of a vehicle, and a woman's bonnet, jacket, &c, on the Carterton road on Sunday. It is quito evident that a smash-up has occurred, but the name of the victim has not yet transpired. Masterton, June 12.

The second of the series of 10 lectures was given by Dr Butement to the Masterton Ambulance Class on Monday evening. Thero were about 70 persons present. The doctor, who, to assist him in liis address, had secured a skeleton, referred at length to the skull, arms, legs and other portions of the anatomy, after which he gave some valuable hints regarding fractures and dislocations. At the close of the address bandages were handed to members, and some practical lessons ate to be given at the next meeting. The publicans of Masterton held a meet-

ing on Monday evening, when arrangement wore made for a strict observance of the provisions of tho Licensing Act as regards Sunday trading. It is stated that in tho event of a publican being detected infringing the Act he is to be prosecuted by his fellow-publicans. Mr James Aitken, telegraphist, who has been transferred to Napier, leaves for his new home on Tuesday next. The transfer was rendered necessary owing to tho unsatisfactory state of Mrs Aitken's health. Tho successor of Mr Aitken arrives on Saturday. His name has not yet transpired. The anniversary of tho Masterton Lodge of Rechabites is to bo celebrated on Thursday next by a social gathering in the Temperance Hall. Mr P. H. Fraser, tho District Secretary, is to preside. A meeting of the Wairarapa North Liberal Association was hold in the Foresters' Hall on Monday evening, Mr C. Hughes, J. P., presiding. A letter was read from Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., sympathising with tho objects of the Association, and offering to do all in his powor to promote its interests. It was decided that Mr Hogg bo elected patron of tho Association. The filling of certain vacancies upon the executive was loft over till next meeting. Tho unemployed are not so prominent in this part as they wero. Probably rabbitpoisoning operations have absorbed a good deal of labour. It is said that Mr John Webb, an elderly individual who started a shelter for tho unemployed at the Waingawa, has boon reluctantly compelled to abandon that institution.

At a meeting of the Hospital Trustees this afternoon a letter was read from tho custodian giving satisfactory reasons for refusing to admit to tho institution the man Connolly, who died a few hours subsequently in a local boarding-house. It was stated at tho meeting that tho fund subscribed for purchasing instruments had noarly all been expended. Mr W. T. Glasgow, Government Auditor, is at present in Masterton, and will remain here for some days. Influenza is very prevalent hero justnow. Amongst those attacked is Constable May.