LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3161, 13 April 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mataura freezing works is to have the largest turbine plant in, Australasia.

Blight has worked havoc with the late potato crops, says the "Western Star." In many places they are completely rotten.

Some human remains—believed to be those of a victim of tha Penguin disaster—were washed ashore at Terawhiti on Saturday, and were interred by the police some distance above high-water mark. /

Government valuers of the Levels County (South Canterbury) have recently advanced the value of the land all round. An average increased value of £3 per acre is reported by the "Press.'*

At the Waikanae sports on Saturday R. McKenzie, of Masterton, won the 220 Yards Handicap, High Jump and 220 Yards Hurdles. W. White, of Masterton, won his heat in the Sheffield Handicap, but could not last the distance in the final. The weather was wet and the going heavy. There were splendid fields in all events. Runners were present from all parts of the North Island, and considering the large fields R. McKenzie's performances were highly creditable, he being on tne back marks.

A witness who gave evidence before the Timber Commission confessed that he was turning out work which his father, if he had been alive, would have been sorry to have been associated with. There was not the same high-clas? woncmanship in furniture in these days as there used to be. One reason was the demand for cheap furniture, and the introduction of machinery. The apprentices did not have the same opportunity to learn their trade, as the employer could not afford to detail an expert to teach them.- The result was that the boys had to learn their trade at the Technical College.

At the Palmerston North sports meeting, yesterday, P. Holmes, of Masterton, won the 100 Yards Handicap, with E. Tooby (Masterton) second, "lhe 120 Yards Handicap was won by E, Toopy with P. Holmes second. In the Standing High Jump, R. McKenzie (Masterton) was second.

April 23rd next is to be observed as tne centenary of the birth of Bishop Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand. Special services are to be held in St. Matthew's Church, Masterton, at which a number of the clergy throughout tho Wairarapa are expected to tatce part. In connection with the monthly social and literary evenings at the Congregational Church, Dr. Prior will deliver a lecture entitled "The Story of Some Medical Discoveries" to-night. The Church will be opened at half-past seven, the proceeds will devoted to the fencing and improvemant fund. A good gathering is expected, as Dr. Prior is known as a good speaker.

On a recent Sunday (says the Nelson "Colonist')' a large shoal of whales—to the number of fully 50 —entered the West Wanganui inlet, and disported themselves in its waters for about six hours, eventually going out with the receding tide. This interesting and unusual visit was witnessed by several residents of the locality. It is estimated that the average length of the whales was not less than 30 feet.

The weekly meeting of the Endeavour Lodge was held held in the Dominion Hall, last evening, C.T. Bro. Gilbert being in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Routine business was transacted. Sister Richards, from Pioneer Lodge, and Bro. Leete. of Dannevirke, were present. During the evening addresses were given by Bros. Leete and Gilbert, and Sis. Richards.

According to Mr Georce Anyon, of Fiji, who is visiting Wellington, there are prospects of goldmining in Suva. He states that already some Westralian mining people have arrived, in expectation of the return of the Governor to the colony, when the gold area will be proclaimed and claims will be pegged. Mr Anyon has with him samples of ore containing free gold, silver and copper.. He told an A'jcklander that a five-ton parcel when assayed yielded 2oz 12dwt gold, 55 per cent, copper, and 3oz of silver per ton.

A prisoner named John Jones undergoing a sentence of six months escaped from the Wanganui gaol aboout 4 o'clock on Thursday afternoon. He was in the exercise yard <»nd seized a favourable opportunity to climb over the fence. The police immediately commenced a search and information was telegraphed up and down the .-oast, with the result that Jones was arrested fay the Marton police on Friday. Jones received his present sentence for escaping from the Palmerston JNorth gaol and had only another month to serve.

A bricklayer, who recently went from New Zealand to Queensland, in response to a statement that work was available there, writes to the secretary of the Wellington Employers' Association, stating that he is well satisfied. He and several others from New Zealand immediately obtained work, which will last at least six months. Owing, however, to the daily arrival of bricklayers in Queensland from other States the writer considers that it would not now be advisable for others to leave New Zealand for Queensland in search of work.

The domestic fly seems to possess far more mischievous qualities than the general public suspect. According to figures quoted by Dr. Purdy, Auckland's district health officer, to a "Herald" representative, out of the total number of cases of enteric fever that occurred in the Auckland Province during the year ended March 31st, Iyoß, 60.6 per cent were in the first three months of the calendar year, and the records of typhoid cases admitted to the Auckland Hospital during the last fifty years indicated a steady rise from November to April, attaining the maximum in the latter month. Experience in Auckland seemed to show that whenever flies became prevalent the death-rate from intestinal diseases rose above the normal. "When one knows that one fly can carry 100,000 organisms, it is easy to realise," added the doctor, "the dangers of getting typhoid and other diseases." He urges that all food and meat should be screened from the pest, both in the home and the shop.

[ A young man named George Albysius Williams, who is crippled in both legs and has his left arm .deformed, was charged at the Magis* trate's Court, Reefton, before Messrs Scantlebury and Shepherd, Justices, with soliciting alms (says the "Westport News"), and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Williams carried a card, on which was printed a verse of poetry, entitled "A Cripple Boy's Appeal," with a footnote stating that he was collecting sufficient money to buy an artificial pair of feet. When arrested he had in his possession cash amounting to £24 lis 4d, a New South Wales Post Office Bank book showing £IBB to his credit, and an American savings bank book with IGOdols. (£32) to his credit, making a grand total of £244 lis 4d. He had also a number of the above-mentioned begging cards printed in four different languages, a passport signed by the United States Ambassador in Paris for use in Turkey, and a letter from the manager of the Canadian-Austra-lian Line authorising the agents to grant the accused a passage at a reduced fare on the steamer Marama, owng to his straitened circumstances.

There is no secondary solace of life to surpass the solace of music. If you want your children to have this solace through life, you muse see that they have the daily companionship of a good piano. A Broadwood, a Konisch, a Lipp, or a Steinway. There are others also in the great stock of the Diesden Piano Company, Ltd. Extravagance is foolishness. But you can buy a piano from the Dresden and pay for it so easily that the cost is scarcely noticed. Write and ask about it. local Representative, Mr T. B. Hunter. Effervescent Saline, purifying, refresh-' ing, invigorating to all who suffer from sickness, headache, sluggish liver, etc. Price, 2/6. H. T. Wood, Chemist and Pharmici6C (,cj * am,}, Masterfcon.* ,

The Minister for Education (th Hon. Geo. Fowlds) says that the people ot Auckland have never taken the interst in higher education, which they should have. They were,, he added, not as keen as the peopleof other places, and Auckland's secondary schools were not filled sowell. However, he thought that the university would be better attended if there was a bettar building, to which end he would be t,lad to assist.. The Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. McKenzie, speaking atGreymouth said that as Minister of Public Works he intended seeing that the Government received fair and reasonable value for the money expended. Hereferred to the splendid roads of the West Coast compared with the "roadless north" stating that the audience had no conception of bad roads. On the West Coast there were four different lines in hand. The WestportReefton line he hoped to have finished in eight years. The Blackball line he expected to be finished in a few months. There was also the Point Elizabeth line. Ross line was now opened. A larger number of men. would be employed on the ReeftonWestport lines shortly. At the present time there were 2,600 miles of railway in the Dominion, but fully 5,000 to 6,000 miles were necessary. He referred to these as a valuable asset, which, if sold, would nearly pay the national debt of £65,000,000> which had i;een incurred in productive works. He made a significant statement that he did not think tney were paying too much for their railway service—in fact, he thought they could afford to pay a lictle more than they bad been doing in the past. The railways should support thetaxpayers more., , Mr W. Pauling requires a tailoress.' 1 . A reward is offered for the recovery of a brown leather purse, lost in the Park or Church Street, yesterday. A mackintosh lost on the road between Masterton and the Tauherenikau Racecourse yesterday is advertised for. The attention of housewives is directed to an advertisement appearing elsewhere, which particularises the advantages of the Orion cooking range. Mr W. Pauling, who is opening in* business in Masterton as a tailor and. costumier, notifies that the premises now being renovated fur him ir* Queen street (next to Mr Frank. Dupre's) will be ready by Thursday next. He will open for business on-, that day.

The Returning Officer, Mr R.. Brown, gives notice that the annual: election of Mayor and the biennial election of Councillors for the; Borough of Masterton will be held or* Wednesday, 29th instant. Nomina ations will be received up till noon on Thursday, April 22nd, at his office, Bank of New Zealand Buildings, Queen street. 'Doctor' flannels are guaranteed all wool and unshrinkable. This flannel is recommended by the medical; faculty on account of its purity; it will recommend itself to users because, besides being all wool, it does; not shrink. Every yard of material is; btamped with a guarantee. 'Doctor' flannels are obtainable irom Te AroHouse, Wellington. Further details, of prices, widths, etc., appear in our advertising columns.

Those who ~;enjov the healthy, invigorating, amusing and exciting exercise of skating will be pleased to know that Mr K. E. Howell has again opened the rink in the Gymnasium Hall, Dixon Street, Masterton_ The building is well adapted for skating, as there is ample floor space,, and the l'ghting is perfect. The management has an unlimited supply of ball bearing skates, a number of capable assistants are employed, and! the services of a brass band has been engaged for each evening. The rink should be well patronised throughout the winter months.