MASTESTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4374, 4 June 1901, Page 6

MASTESTON.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) Monday, 7.50 p.m. The Masterton Borough Council has expressed its willingness to delegate power for the erection of public abattoirs to a private company, but has not yet ascertained where the fees for an inspector of abattoirs are to come from. One of the oldest identities of the district, Mr William Venus, died at the Masterton Hospital yesterday. Deceased was one of the best known residents of the Alfredton district. He lived there for thirty-five years, and was identified with much of the pioneer work, and endured many of its vicissitudes. Deceased, who was ninety-six years of age, was well known on the East Coast. His remains are to, be interred at Ekctahuna to-morrow.

The Wairarapa Caledonian Society is to hold a special meeting to consider the advisability of bringing all bicycle events under its direct control. If the proposal is canned into effect there will probably be no bicycle events at the next sports gathering. Th e report for the financial year of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, ending May 31st, shows a very substantial increase in cash receipts. Members’ subscriptions amounted to £5lB. donations to £324 13s 6d, and entry fees to £287 18s, making a total of £ll3O 11s (3d, as against £623 15s 4d received last year. Messrs Coradino and Whitaker, builders, have received instructions from the Postal Department to decorate the local Post and Telegraph, Office on the day ou which the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall will arriv e at Auckland (June 11th). Two large transparencies representing the King and Queen and the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall will be shown from the Post Office, and will be lighted with eighty gas jets. The office will also be gaily decorated with bunting.

A meeting is to be held here to-nio-ht to attempt to form a branch of the Farmers’ Union. A local paper quotes the "New Zealand Times” to show that the union is a political organisation, and says, “If this is so, the sooner the thing is exposed the better.” The article winds up by saying “If the National Conservative Association is dead, and its soul, if it ever had any. is to be transmigrated into a Farmers’ Union, then let us clearly understand the position.”