MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1213, 31 May 1895, Page 18

MASTERTON.

Masterton, May 22. The Government Fruit Expert (Mr Joseph Mayo) arrived at Utasterton on Tuesday. To-day he is engaged inspecting the various orchards in the town. He intends returning here at an early date, and giving practical lessons in the treatment of orchard pests. It is expected that rabbit poisoning operations will be commenced earlier in the Masterton district this year than they were last. The Stock Inspector is at present engaged sending out notices to settlers to make preparations for the ing. The Masterton Borough Council met last night, His Worship the Mayor occupying the chair. It was decided to procure certain j street lamp meters from the Wellington Gas Company. It was resolved that the building regulations be strictly enforced in certain cases. Considerable interest is being manifested in the annual election in connection with the Town Lands Trust, which takes place on the 30th insfc, The result .of the election will probably determine the fate of the town hall.

The unemployed question is becoming serious here, and it is not improbable that representations will be made to the Government on the subject. There are scores of able-bodied men in the town, willing to work, but they are afraid to go into the country to loqk for work, as stationholders have absolutely refused to give them accommodation. A man named J. C. Hackett was seivtenced to a fortnight's imprisonment by two Justices torday for using obscene language in a public thoroughfare, Masterton, The spawning season for American brook trout has commenced in the Acclimatisation Society's ponds at Masterton. The curator (Mr Ayson) has so far collected 31,000 ova, Messrs R. E. Hornblow and E. Eeist were to-day nominated for the two vacant seats on the Masterton Trust Lands Trust. Messrs C. E. JDaniell and W. Pragnell are expected to become candidates before nominations close. A meeting of unemployed men was held in the Temperance Hall. About 60, principally single men, put in an appearance, one of their numner being voted to

the chair. Several of those present spoke, I and stated their willingness to Avork if only they could get employment. They did not want charity, all they wanted was work. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., addressed the meeting at some length, and said he was impressed with the bona fides of those present. He pointed out, however, that the Government was doing its best to put men on the land, and to find them employ'ment. He would be glad to convey to the Government any resolutions that might bo passed. It was eventually decided that the Government be advised of the state of affairs and requested to find work for these willing to work. It was also decided to raguest.-the Government not to send men frsm other parts to co-operative works in the Wairarapa. About 40 men (nearly all .single) subsequently handed in their names to the Town Clerk, to be forwarded to the Government.

Masterton, May 25. Masterton is just now being visited by a mild epidemic of influenza. Ploughing operations have been commenced here, and will soon be in full swing. Mr John Hessey, of the "Upper Plain, has already wheat four inches above the ground. ./•««• The Government Fruit Expert (Mr Joseph Mayo), who has been imparting gome . valuable information to the orchardists of this district, was to have left to-day for Wellington. In the Magistrate's Court this morning the two men Garratt and Egan, who were arrested in "Wellington, were charged with uttering a forged cheque for £5 upon the licensee of the Prince of Wales Hotel. The accused, who state that they received the cheque from a thiid party, were, at their own request, remanded till Monday. A most successful bachelor's ball was held at Mauriceville on Friday evening. Drovers and others will be pleased to hear that the sheep yards at the Masterton Railway Station, which have been knee deep in mud for some time, are to be placed in repair.' , Landrails are becoming numerous around Masterton. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., has written to the Hon W. P.. Reeves, Minister for Labour, enclosing a report of the meeting of the unemployed held in the Temperance Hall at Masterton. In the course of his letter Mr Hogg attributes the appearance of so many unemployed and destitute men in Masterton to the fact that having to contribute a poor rate the county settlers decline to furnish swagsmen and others with food and lodging. There is, he thinks, reason to apprehend that this winter the demands of this district on the United Charitable Aid Board will be greatly increased. ■ As it has been freely alleged that less labour is employed on some of the larger properties than in former years, he suggests that a return be prepared setting forth the areas, number of souls resident, and number of hands employed on farms and runs of a thousand acres and upwards, the return to show the numbers at the corresponding period of last year. An annual return of this kind would be useful as indicating whether the country is being depopulated or otherwise. If State assistance is given for works like the Queen's Drive, :' possibly the burgesses and Borough Council of Masterton might be induced to. improve the banks of the Waipoua Eiver and prevent river encroachments if it was understood that the money subscribed would be liberally subsidised. The utilisation of the timber lying alongside of the railway line would probably give some work temporarily to the unemployed if steps were taken for the storage and advantageous disposal of the timber in the city. " -■»- -kit atr

Masterton, May 27. Charles Hill and Michael Bgan alias Garratt, were charged in the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Messrs J. Butement and Beetham, J's.P., with having uttered a forged cheque for the sum of £5 upon the licensee of the Prince of Wales Hotel. It was shown in evidence that the accused obtained the cheque in change from the Blairlogie Hotel. The Bench therefore discharged the accused without a stain upon their character..A man with many aliases was arraigned this morning for drunkenness. He pleaded not guilty, but as it was shown that he was in a riotous condition, and endeavoured to effect his escape by trying to kick the cell to pieces, he was fined £1 and costs. It turns out that two foiged cheques have been uttered in this district, and the forger is at large, During the hearing of the cases in the Magistrate's Court this morning, Mr Pownali dwelt at some length upon the slack method adopted by banks of issuing blank cheques without receiving the signature, address or description of those applying for them, The premises of Messrs L. J. Hooper and Co. were s burglariously entered some time between Saturday night and this morning. .Beyond a few coppers, however, nothing has been missed.

Anniversary services in connection with the Masterton Presbyterian Sunday School were held on Sunday. Sermons suited to the occasion were preached by the Rev J, K. Elliott, of Wellington, and special music was rendered by the choir. The congregations were larger than usual. .- The Masterton Road Board has decided to request the Wairarapa North County Council to reduce the charges it makes for clerical expenses by 10 per cent, from June Ist; The Board has held over the question of reducing wages till next meeting. The ratable value „ of the land m the Masterton Road District, exclusive of Crown Lands, is estimated at ,£720,159, The Masterton Road Board has decided to. take the opinion of its solicitor as to whether the sale of the Te Ore Ore estate, with roads shown on plans, is a sufficient dedication of the roads to the public, and whether it is necessary for the Board to accept charge of them formally. Mr Joseph Mayo, the Government Fruit Expert, who has been in Masterton for the last six days, leaves for Carterton to-day,

Mr Mayo considers the land in this district well adapted for fruit-growing, but thinks that the orchards are overcrowded with fruit trees.

A young man named Arthur Bishop, employed at Booth's mill at Carterton, had his face severely injured by a blow from a piece of wood on Saturday. A local paper says:—There is a good opening for charcoal burning in the Masterton district. It is said that two men could easily burn fifty bags of charcoal in a week. As this would produce 2s per bag, the wages earned by the men would be <£2 10s each a week.

The election of a councillor for the East Ward of the Borough of Masterton took place to-day, and resulted as follows: — Walter Perrj, 86; J. L. Murray, 68. Masterton, May 28.

A telegram has becm received from the Labour Department, stating that the question of the unemployed will receive the immediate and earnest consideration of the Minister of Labour. Edward Brendon Gichard, settler, Mangatainoka, filed a declaration of insolvency yesterday. Great interest is being manifested in the Trust Lands Trust election, which takes place on Thursday. Three candidates are in favour of borrowing the money with which to erect a Town Hall, and three are opposed. At present it is hard to say how the vote will go, but as the popular vote controls the election, the Town Hall advocates are sanguine of success." The North Wairarapa Liberal Association passed a resolution last night urging the Government to deal with the question of plural voting and taxation of improvements during the coming session.