LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9711, 5 February 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The latest return from thu Master* ton Dredge is thirty ounces for the week.

The amount taken at the Garden Fete in aid of S. Matthew's Church Building Fund is about £75. There are still the returns from ticketholders to come in.

, An extraordinary general meeting of the Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society will be held in the Exchange Hall at eight o'clock this evening. All members are requested to be present.

In connection with the visit of Mr George Hackenschmidt to Masterton, Messrs S. and W. Maeksy, local booksellers, ask us to announce that they have just received supplies of Hackenschmidt's great work, "The Complete Science of Wrestling." The volume contains some 70 odd photographs, and gives a thorough introduction to the author's method of training, and a full exposition of the whole art of modern wrestling.

The windows of Messrs King and Henry are particularly attractive just now as they contain the one hundred guinea Hawke's Bay Championship Shield, which was won this year by the OpakMJifle Club. Ihe trophy is a very handsome one, the design being crossed rifles in bronze, working models, on a sliver background, and mounted on a beautiful piece of mottled kauri. Other trophies in the window are the New Zealand Champion Shield for Teams Match, the Wanganui Northlsland Championship Shield, the Grear Shield at the Manawatu Championship Meeting, and the silver cup won on New Year's Day at Trentham at the Wellington Garrison Rifle Meeting. All these trophies, which make a fine collestion, were won by the Opaki Rifle Club this season.

Mr G. R. Irvine has decided to hold an art union of eighteen large oil paintings. The pictu/es are now on view in Messrs Hoar and Permain's shop window, and are the centre of a good deal of attraction. They include various landscape views of Masterton and other New Zealand scenery, and are all from sketches taken by the artist, or painted and finished at the particular scene. The first prize is a beautiful picture of the lagoon near the Park Lake, taken at a point looking towards Gladstone. The second prize is a view of a cool sput in the midst of a wealth of foliage, while the "Landing Stage," Park Lake, offered for the third prize, is another fair sample of landscape painting. A "Creek Scene'' gives a good idea of a mountain torrent and New Zealand bush country, whilst the fifth prize is from a skt:ich showing part of the Te Anau-M.iford Soundtrack. No less than thirteen other prizes are offered, and on ac • count of the excellence of the exhibition there should be a keen demand for ticket*. The Art Union will conclude on or about April 20th next, and the tickets are only one shilling each.

The Rev. A. Hodge will conduct the services in the Congregational Church to-morrow morning and evening. The morning subject will be "The Great Infulation and the Way of Escape Therefrom," and the evening subject will be "Abounding— Good Works."

According to Mr C. E. Duppey, who has been engaged in eductional work upon Niue, or Savage, Island, a dependency of New Zealand, education is better provided for in the island of Aloft" than is medical attention. Nearly £2,000 has been spent on schools, and. although there are 4,000 natives and some nine whites on Niue, there is no resident medical man.

From inquiries made by a Christchurch reporter, it appears that interest in philately has almost completely evaporated in New Zealand, although there is more or less of a sale for all stamps. Fur ordinary Btamp collections there was not much demand, and very few collectors cared to pay high prices to secure rare stamps. In the Old Country, however, interest was still alive in the subject. Several large properties in the Otago Land District will be available for selection next month. There is a block of 27,640 acres, part of the Mataikanui station, divided into five runs, another area of 30,650 acres, part of the Ida Valley station, subdivided into five runs.another block of 68,85p ares known as the Morven Hill station, subdivided into five runs and further areas of 65,080 acres (Lmnburn station) and 33,230 acres, part of the Morven Hills sta-. Thei War Office has presented to the Reichstag exact details of the numerical strength of the German standing army for the year 1910, whien it will consist of 387 generals, 664 colonels commanding regiments, 2,354 staff officers, 6,535 captains and 15,554 lieutenants (making a total of 25,494 officers), 85,259 noncommissioned officers, and 504,446 privates, making a grand total of 615,199. The number of horses belonging to the German army is 114,162.

"All indications point to the prospect of a good year for 1910," says the "Trade Keview." The "Review" reports that at present, however, importing houses describe trade all round as distinctly quiet. The grocery trade generally is affected by the dullness which usually follows the activity of the Christmas season. In the hardware section trade seems to have been slow in resuming work after the holidays, while the clothing trade is in the dead period between two seasons. On all hands, however, there is said to be the expectation of a return to the activity which preceded the recent spell of stringency.

Daniel Sweeney was charged before Mr R. H. Turton, at the Magistrate's Court ysterday, for obtaining goods to the value of £7 8s lOd by false pretences. Mr Pownall appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty to the charge. Counsel explained that accused had obtained the goods as he was going to work at a job. His Worship stated accused would be remanded till 14th inst for the Probation Officer's report, and if that were favourable he would admit the accused to probation on terms. Bail was allowed accused in £2O, and one surety in like amount.

An excellent tone continues to prevail on the labour market in Auckland, telegraphs the "Post" correspondent. In all branches there seems to be plenty of employment, and there are very few tradesmen out of work. The demand for general labour is considerably in excess of the supply-owing to tha briskness of trade generally and the large number of works going on in the district. Any man who is able and willing to work can find employment. The perennial demand for domestic help still remains unsatisfied, the various registry offices being unable to find applicants for the large number of positions offering.

The large attendance at the Foresters' Hall, last night, in spite ot strong counter attractions, goe3 to prove how popular the T.P. Pictures have become. The audience showed their full appreciation by generous applause. The wonderful performance of the human ape "Consul the Great," caused wonder and amusement. The fine historical subject "Gaul's Hero" was received in a very enthusiastic manner. This splendid programme will; be' shown to-night for the last time. On Mon-day-night the usual change will appear, when some fine films will be produced, among which will be "How a Dog Saved the Flag," "Mary, Queen of Scots," "They -Would Elope," and "The Troubles of a Pretty Milliner."

The grain harvest in Southland will be in full swing next week, many farmers having already made a start. The hot winds which prevailed at the beginning of last week forced on the ripening to an extent which may affect the "filling' of the grain, particularly the later sown crops. The dry season generally has not been conducive to the development of the grain, so that heavy "shotty" samples need scarce'y be looked for this .n ear. The yield, too, from present j ppearances, will be smaller than that recorded during the two past season. This applies to wheat as well as o«t9, although the area under the former cereal is even smaller than usual in Southland this year, notwithstanding the good price prevailing for the last year or two.

• Mrs E. Goodin, an experienced nurse, nas a notice on our first page. A chestnut mare impounded from Te Ore Ore is advertised to be sold unless claimed. A youth, just left school, is wanted on a farm. Particulars at the Age Office. A further consignment of peaches and plums has arrived at the Masterton Auction Mart. They will be on private sale all day, and a quantity will be auctioned during the afternoon by Mr J. JR. Nico], By way of a memory jog to all who intend to be present at the Show as participants in the ring events J L. Murray is now advertising riding breeches. Those who go as spectators onljr are also reminded that their clothing wants are well filled by this enterprising men's outfitter

Attention is drawn to Home's Mutual Cash Store advertisement of special lines in grocery, crockery, ironmongery and brushware.

A well-known Masterton resident is this week the winner of the Hayward Flag Brand Pickle Competition. He receives a guinea' for four short lines, and his verse indicates that we have in our midst a budding Kipling.

J*A start was made yesterday with the Is- ing out of the road to connect the o< it works at Waineawa with the Hi m Masterton-Carterton road. Tenders are to be called at an early date for road formation, fencing and > drainage.

Every country has products in which. it excels; every maker has particular specialities. Every house, too, has exclusive goods chosen because they are absolutely the best of their kind. Thus, most people know that the Broadwood, the Bonisch, the Lipp and the Steinway are four great pianos, and that the sole agents for these magnificent instruments in this Dominion are the Dresden Piano Company, Ltd It is remarkable how many friends "The Dresden" possejses—a support built up by consistent conduct of business on the best principles. The i Company's exceedingly simple timepayment system is wonderfully popular. Many a wage-earner has this to thank for the ''music in his home." The Company invices every visitor to inspect its warehouse, need to buy—just come to look. "The Dresden" is proud of its splendid stock of pianos and organs. The Company's North Island manager is Mr M. J. Brookes. Local representatives—Messrs Inns and Goddard, next Club H)tel, Ma3terton.