LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9048, 14 March 1908, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Nireaha Valley has probably benefitted more than any other part of the Forty-mile Bush district by the recent rain. There is an abundance of green feed everywhere, and cattle are in good condition. Mr F. Martin, blacksmith, of Mauriceville, yesterday met with an accident to one of his eyes, which may mean that he will be deprived of the sight of it. Whilst striking a piece of red-hot iron a chip flew into the eye, and so badly injured it that Mr Martin was brought to Masterton to Dr Cook by the next train.

Yesterday was a scorching hot day again, and a local farmer stated it only needed two or three more such days to undo what good the recent rain had done. The young grass has started to come away, but it will be unable to withstand heat such as was experienced yesterday.

The effect of the fire which raged in the Maungatarera Valley a fortnight, ago has been to destroy hundreds of sheep in no wise directly affected by the fire, itself, but which, no doubt havo suffered in the same way as the sheep which died as a result of the Kaiparoro and neighbouring fires, from their lungs being impregnated with smoke.

The southerly "buster" which raised such clouds of dust in Masterton on Wednesday was accompanied by an almost tropical downpour on the Upper Fernridge and across the Waingawa, settlers' tanks being filled to over-flowing in a very short while. A settler whose property adjoins the river on the Carterton side says that the grass in his neighbourhood is now looking capital, and the difference lower down on the plains is extremely marked.

a 20th century preparation. Dr. sholdon's New Discovery for Coughs Colds, and Consumption. Small dose. Pleasant to take. Price Is fid., large size 3s Obtainable at H. E. Eton Chemist.

A match will be played at Carterton on Tuesday next between the Eketahuna and Carterton Lawn Tennis Clubs.

The amount taken at the gates at the recent swimming carnival held at the Baths by the Ladies' Swiming Club was £6 17s, of which the Borough Council receives £2 5s Bd.

Owing to the scarcity of grass and the dryness of the season the yield of milk from some of the herds at Hukani'i has decreased considerably of late, and a number of farmers are now drying off their cows. The Borough steam roller sank so deeply in the roadway in Queen Street yesterday afternoon that it stjck for several hours, and had to be lifted out with "jacks." The spot was opposite the W.F.C.A. on the farther side of the street. Many years ago a deep depression there was filled in, and the giving way of this filling caused the trouble yesterday.

The quarterly meeting of the Wairarapa School Committees' Association is to be held on Wednesday next. The principal matter to be discussed is contained in a remit from the Masterton School Committse, in which the Association is invited to discuss the "frequent and unnecessary changes of schoo' books, which inflicts great hardship on parents." General business will also be discussed

The Championship Rifle Belt, which makes its third appearance in Masterton, was an object of much curiosity to many who waited on the popular winner yesterday to congratulate him on hi 3 achievement. The Belt weighs somewhere about ten pounds, and is made of leather about three inches wide, and covered with plain silver bands, upon which are engraved the names of the winners. The Belt is ornamented with several heavy eigraved badges, and has on it an ammunition pouch with a battle-field beautifully designed in silver. The intrinsic value of the trophy is put down at about £IOO. Word reached Masterton, yesterday, that Messrs Thompson and Roffi's flaxmill at Opald had been totally destroyed by fire about 11.30 a.m. The fire, the origrin of which was not stated, besides, demolishing the mill, destroyed all the machinery with the exception of the engine-, five stacks of fibre aggregating six tons, a fibre shed, containing five tons of flax, and about thirty acres of grass in the vicinity of the structure. The proprietors estimate their loss at about £7OO. There was no insurance whatever. The loss is all the more regrettable at this stage a3 the mill narrowly escaped b<nng destroyed on several occasions during the recent bush fires, and it was only saved by strenuous labour and anxious nights of watching on the part of employers and employees. An incident was reported to the Masterton School Committee last evening by the headmaster of the District High School (Mr W. H. Jackson), which caused considerable surprise, to say the least of it. The headmaster stated that no coercion whatever was used in connection with the swimming classes at the school, and the boy scholars without exception took very kindly to the instruction at the baths, and the number of girls who did not take advantage of the classes was rapidly diminishing. One parent, however, on hearing that his boy had gone into the water with the other boys at the class, although the boy went willingly, had administered a sound thrashing 4 o him. Unanimous disapproval of this parent's action was expressed.

To-day Mr Geo, Hyde, Champion Rifleman of New Zealand, intends making a display in the window of his establishment, in Queen Street, of trophies won by Club members at Trentham and elsewhere. The Belt will, of course, be the most historic object of interest, but the Dawson Shield, won by the Rifle Clubs in the match against Volunteers at Trentham, is undoubtedly the most imposing trophy in , the window. Rifleman Hyde was selected cap tain of the team, and it was previously agreed that the captain of the winning team was to hold the trophy. Other objects of interest are the handsome gold stars given by the Association to the winner of the Belt, of which Rifleman Hyde has two. Other shields, cups, and medals make up a display of which the Club has every reason to bo proud.

The Masterton School Committee met last evening. Present—Messrs R. Brown (in the chair), E. H. Waddington, H.. H. Cork, W. A. Fendall, W. C. Perry, G. Townsend, H. J. O'Leary and J. Carpenter. A credit balance .of £2 8s 7d was reported. The Secrteary of the Education Board%vrote in reference to the accommodation of students for the cookery class, and stating that the Board was willing to pay for the hire of a room to hold the classes in, as the accommodation at the school was insufficient for the purpose. The Committee decided to postpone the holding of the class until a room could be erected at the school. The Board also wrote stating that the plans for the new entrance to the school had been referred to the Works Committee. The Secretary was instructed to procure tenders for the winter supply of firewood for the school. Accounts amounting to £ll 15s were passed for payment. Messrs Brown, Buttle and Carpenter were appointed visiting •members. Numbers'of physicians and druggists ■ire now prescribing and recommending j TUSS.ICURA because of the valuable I lung tonic and expectorant qualities be- j ing combined. Tussicura is a distinct I advance in medical science, and is the, most masterful remedy known for all ailments of the throat and lungs.—ls (id and 2s Gd per bottle at all good chemists and stores; or direct from the proprietors. 71 THE SECRET OP THE "L.K.G." SU GESS. The greatest problem of successfully milking by suction was solved by the Gillies Patents, and the- "Lawrence-Ken-nedy-Gillies" is the only Milking Machine which embodies tho Gillies principle. The best proof of the reliability and value of tho "L.K.G." is the experience of thousands of practical formers who have tested it during the past five years and no other machine has stood the trial of daily working for even half this period. Write for further particulars to J. B. MacEwan and Co., Ltd., Sole Agents, U.S.S. Co's. Buildings, Wellington.

The Rongokokako State School picnic will be held next week.

It is 3tated that there is a probability of a stationmaster being placed in charge of the Mangamahoe Railway Station.

There are 185 pupils on the roll of the Maryborough school. The average attendance during last month was 155.

Delegates from various centres, meeting in Wellington, have decided to form a Federation of Slaughtermen's Unions of the dominion.

On the majority of the farms between Newman and Hamua, which have been swept by fire, the work of re-sowing with grass seed has been completed.

A grass fire occurred in Clifton Avenue, Carterton, yesterday morning, and a considerable area of gra?a was destroyed, together with a lot of fencing before the fire was extinguished.

A first offender charged before Mr W. P. James, S.M., at Masterton Police Court, yesterday, with being found in a state of helpless drunkenness was remanded for eight days for medical treatment, Thanks to the recent rain, the grass on the farms about Eketahuna is growing well, and farmers are of opinion that, provided there are nofrosts for about three weeks, there will be a very fair supply of winter feed.

For the supply of 30,000.' ga'lonss of castor oil for the New Zealand Railways, the tender of the National Mortgage and Agency Company of N&w Zealand, Limited, Dunedin, has been accepted at 2s 5 11-16 d.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Cabinet has decided to remit one year's rent lo the settlers at Tawha, near Martin*borough, who have suffered severe loss through floods, and subsequently owing to the drought.,

In some parts of the Forty Mife? Bush district the farmers are of opinion that the bush fires will again break out, and consequently are delaying the work of sowing grneq npn.a and vermri'ruj their ftnces untii rain comes 1 again-

"There will not be a pound of locally-made butter within a month," was the prediction of a large dairy farmer yesterday, when chatting with a Wairarapa Age "My cows are just about done, and several of my neighbours are in- the same' position."

At the Y.M.C.A. meeting to-mor-row afternoon, the Rev. A. T. Thompson, 8.A., 8.D., will deliver a short address on "The duty of a Young Man to Snread his ReMVion." Mr F. Hunn will be the soloist for the occasion. The strangers' tea will be held at 5.30 p.m., to which strangers are cordially invited.

On account of the attendance at the Dry River school having fallen off considerably, the school has been closed till the new school-house has oeen finished. The latter is in course of erection. Miss lorns, the teacher at the school, is at present doing relieving work at Mungatihi; about thirty miles from Pahiatua.

Knrx Church Young Men's class f will meet to-morrow morning when Mr McHattie will give an account of the recenc "Summer School" in In- ■' vercargill. Divine service will be held at 11 a.m. and 7 pan. at Knox Church. Afternoon service will be conducted at Kaituna by the Rev. A. T.Thompson. Services will be held i at Miki Miki at 3 p.m., and at' Dreyefton at 7.30 p.m., and conducted by Mr A. G. Crawford.

The children attending the Mangamaboe school, under the charge of Miss Campbell, head teacher,: went on an excursion to Daunevirke yesterday. Members of the School Committee and a number of parents also accompanied the children. A most enjoyable day was spent, , and the children returned' in the evening. Favourable comment was passed on the neat appearance of the children, the girls all being dressed in white.

A witness stated at the Arbitration Court at Christchurch, on Monday, that quite a quantity of finished leather was coming into thedominion from Victoria. While these importsdid not interfere with the fellmongering trade, as both Victoria and New Zealand manufactures of this class were exported, they affected the dominion's tanning trade, which depended; on New Zealand demands.

The photo of tho United Fire Brigades' Association Conference delegate*, taken by Mr A. E. Winzenberg, of Masterton,, was considered by many delegates to bo the finest photographic group they have ever seen taken in the dominion. An enlargement in the winodw of Mr Winzenberg's shop is undoubtedly a masterpiece, and quite up, to that gentleman's previous best work which has aways been of a very high order. ■ ;

Distress warrants have been issued against thirty slaughtermen, who were fined for striking at the Belfast and Islington works some time ago, says the "Lyttelton Times." The men were fined' Js> each, and the warrants just issued represent sums from £1 up to the maximum. No warrants have been issued against: those who have paid any part of the' fine this year. There are eight slaughtermen who have not attempted to pay anything. In a few? days warrants will also be issued against about twenty of the slaughtermen employed at the Fairfield works.

Begin this day well, and furnish the home with a piano, but get a good one ! It is so difficult to judge piano values that exports themselves hesitate until they have thoroughly tested tone, touch, action and architecture. Even then they greatly rely on the reputation of the. - milker, If an expert could he deceived, how can a purchaser of a single piano hope, to escape? Why, only by buying an instrument from a warehouse which can be trusted. Now, tho Dresden Piano Company, Wellington, has a, wonderfully good name in this respect. It is a firm with years of fair deal-' ing behind it—and a reputation to bo sustained in the future. Their prices are surprisingly low for high grade instruments. It won't come hard on you by their system of time-payments—just a small sum down and then instalments from 20s monthly. You should ceitainly call on or write to, Mr. 1\ B. Hunter who is the Local Manager for tho Dresden. He will be pleased to give all information about the firm's, splendid stock of pianos and organs.

Mr A. Hamilton, Director of the Dominion Museum, has been offered thjhposition of president this year * -oiithe Anthropological Section of sh<rAustralasian Association for the Advancement of Science. Cabinet has given the necessary authority for Mr Hamilton to accept the position. It will be necessary, should the honour be accepted, for Mr Hamilton to preside over the section at the annual meeting of the society, which will be held in Brisbane. In conversation with a "Feilding Star" reporter, a buyer for a meat company complained strongly of the treatment received by •the meat companies at the hands of the Railway Department. He stated that if available no less than 108 (trucks could have been loaded with •sheep and lambs on - the Feilding the other day, instead of <mich it was impossible to get a Single truck. He had sent thirty • trucks of sheep to Longburn to be there trucked for Wellington. The attachment of a dog to his \master is proverbial, and this canine trait received a further illustration ~ (says the "Tuapeka Times") in con"nection with the death of James <Quinn. When the party which went •out to bring in the body reached the L-cene of the accident they found the "deceased's dog mounting guard over .his late master, and no amount of coaxing would induce him to relinquish his post, and it was with the .greatest reluctance that the party Were compelled to destroy the faith-' :ful animal before they could get •possession of the body. ; A. Napier Press Association tele'tfrarrlJlßtates that at the Supreme -Court, yesterday, a civil action - •Official Assignee v. Williams and .'Kettle, Ltd.—was heard, and judgment was reserved. This was a case of soma importance to stock agents, the claim being for the repayment of the proceeds of a sale of cattle by the defendant company, acting under instructors from H. G. Harding, who was subsequently made a bankrupt. For the plaintiff it was contended that the cattle were the property of Harding, and the proceeds •of the property belonged to the bankrupt's creditors. The defendant's •cas-/ was that a letter of instructions .frbm Harding gave them the right to dispose of the cattle as security for payment of his account, and to ■oredit his account with proceeds which was done. -ffn advertiser wants to purchase a good gig horse. Mr. J. Peters, hairdresser and tobacconist, has a special announcement in the wanted column. Notice is given elsewhere that the invitation for tenders for earthwork in the Masterton Park has been withdrawn. New seasons goods have arrived at Mr Aberfc Webb's tailoring establishp /ment in Masterton, inspection of which is invited. An interesting advertisement from Mr H. T. Wood, chemist, dealing with "sick room requirements," is published in another column* At the rssidenc:, No. .36, Hall •street, on Tuesday next, Mr J. R. Nicol will sell on account of Mrs Barker, her household furniture and Particulars will be advertised | Monday. At the Masterton Auction Mart, this afternoon, Mr J. R. Nicol will ;sell the privileges of two publican's booths at the Masterton Racing 'Club's autumn meeting. Drapery and clothing on account of Messrs A. Simpson and Co. will also be sold during the afternoon. Tenders ara invited, to close at noon on the 21st March, for the erection of about two miles of wire fencing (labour only) at Tigeon Bush. Intending contractors will be shown over the ground on 19th and 20th instant, and full particulars can be obtained from the manager, Mr Edward -Lawrence, Pigeon Bush. A general meeting of the members of the Masterton A. and P. Association will be held in the Foresters' Hall at 2 o'clock on | Saturday, March 28th. The meeting ' is convened to consider ttietjDom-' mittee's proposals re new Show 'fSnninds. Particulars are set out in an advertisement appearing elsewhere in this issue. Mr Jack Radomski, late of the Club Hotel, has taken the Centra Dining Rooms, in Masterton, which for many years were conducted by Mr Jas. Wickens. The new proprietor has had many years experience in the conduct of up-to-date restaurants, , and under his capable management tho/iew rooms should quickly regain the old connection. Luncheon will be served from 12 to 2, tea from 5 to "7, and suppers till midnight. The services of Mr J. Salmon, a particularly expert chef, have been engaged. The rooms will be re-opened on Thursday next, at mid-day. Messrs Husband Bros., land • agents, Pahiatua,report a3 follows: We would like to draw the special ■attention of land buyers to the fact _ that prices in the Pahiatua district 0& compares favourably with any other •district in the North Island. The public are the best judges and the fact that we have sold the following properties during the last two weeks proves this beyond a <oabt. The properties referred to are: — 640 acres, from Mr Anderson to Mr Reay (in conjunction with Hughes -and Tulloch); 20 acres, from Mr J. Arry to Mr A. Pringle; 230 acres from Mr Bottomley to Mr McKenzie; 200 acres, to Mr Whyte; 200 acres, from Mr Bensbam to Mr Newcombe; 250 acres, from Mr., Gear to Mr Bayliss; 500 acres, Mr Nation to Messrs Darlington Bros.; 200 acres, Mr Nation to MrWeatherby; 300 acres, Mr Nation to Mr Hjfclbrook; 1,200 acres, Mr McGaughran to Mr West; 600 acres, Mr Tucker to Mr Brushaw; 330 acres, Mr Gosling to .Mr Watson. Our next land guide will be ready on Monday next, and will be forwarded to anyone on appli- ■ cation.

"I have much pleasure," says Mr N" M'Curdy, Dipton, N.Z., "in recommending Chamberlain's Tablets for all disorders of the digestive organs. I can truthfully say that I have never derived so much satisfaction from any medicine as I have from Chamberlain's Tablets. Thoy are mild and gentle in their action and leave no bad after effect, such as constipation, and in this respect are superior to pills. I make a point of recommending them to my friends, and all who have used them -are loud in their praise." For sale by all - dealers.

The Wellington Master Bootmakers' Association has decided to raise the prices of boot repairing. A correspondent of the "Thames Star',' says that Auckland is experiencing a vegetable famine, and tinned vegetables have been resorted to.

At a small meeting held in Napier, on Thursday, it was decided to take steps to form an A nti-Vaccination League, and a committee was appointed to carry out the objects of the meeting. Some Taranaki teachers are in favour of preference to unionists. At a recent meeting it was suggested as a means of obtaining more members that the Education Board should be requested to consider applications for vacancies from only members of the institute.

Mr E. Howard, President of the Christchurch General Labourers' Union, and Jas. Thorne, addressed a well-attended meeting at Timaru last night, says a Press Association telegram, and as a result founded a Union of Wool and Grain Workers, as a branch of the Christchurch General Labourers' Union. Waterside workers were present, and were advised to organise separatsly. An interesting letter was received by the Newmarket Borough Council, Auckland, from Dr. Fumy, District Health Officer, suggesting that the council adopt the modern method of dealing with open spaces. In the United States, as well as in some of the chief towns of Australia, it was now customary to remove practically all barriers from open spaces, and to light them by night. It had been found that that had had the result of affording more protection for women, lessening immorality, and decreasing tbe larrikin element. The writer considered that Newmarket might lead the way by allowing an experiment to be made for three months with its reserve, or at least to put up only an artistic railing 3ft high. Mr Kinder proposed giving the matter a trial for a time, and on his motion it was decided that the Streets Committee be asked to defer the fencing of the reserve for three months.

An amusing incident happened to the Hon. G. Fowlds' party whilst at the Tahara hui on the occasion of the opening of the new school (says the "Napier Telegraph"). With all due respect to the forms and cerempnies of his ancients the rangatira of the settlement, who happened to be the chairman of the School Committee, presented his distinguished visitor, after a good deal of formality, with a novel present in the shape of a sackful of watermelons—the pick of the garden—as a special mark of favour. The gift was duly acknowledged with courtesy. Whilst the Minister and his companions, however, were having lunch near by, a tribe of hungry Maori boys came upon the sacti, and, doubtless, thinking they had "struck a patch" in the good things provided for the hui, s«t to work on the contents. When Mr Fowlds and the others came out from luncheon only three solitary melons remained; all the others had been eagerly devoured.