LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Age, 17 December 1924, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Samoan Faipule will visit Masterton to-morrow, returning to Wellington by the afternoon train. We have, to acknowledge receiving the Christmas issues of fhb 4 * Taranaki Herald,” and the “Waipa Post,” both very interesting issues.

A Mauriceville resident has designed an improved railway coupling which he intends shortly, to submit to the Railway

The Palmerston North High School defeated Napier High School at cricket by 85 runs. They made 218 (McDonald 47, Norris 40), and Napier only 86.

The Committee of the Masterton Beautifying Society last night set up a committee with the Masterton Borough Council park committee as to the making of a rose garden at the Park.

A large deposit of good lignite coal has been discovered near Kurow, North Otago. The face of the seam is 22 feet in depth. Application for a coal lease is being made, and mining will be commenced next mouth. \ “We would nee# 200(1 or 3000 coolies on the farms at Omona to deal with the weeds,” declared a councillor at a meeting of the Eltham County Council, when discussing noxious weeds. The Works Committee recommended to the Masterton Borough Council last night that the engagement of the custodian of the ladies’ baths be terminated. The recommendation was adopted.

At a level crossing near Hukercnui (North Auckland) yesterday, a special train conveying St. Leon’s circus, crashed into a dray in charge of Jack Broomfield, aged 19. Broomfield was killed instantly, the body being fearfully mutilated. The evening runs of the Masterton A.A. Club will be continued on the Park Oval on Thursday evening, when the following events will be decided: 220 yds and 1 mile flat; 1| mile cycle race, and long jump. The run in Christmas week will be hold on the Tuesday (the 23rd).

Gas manufactured by the Masterton Municipal G’as Department during November showed a decrease of 10 per cent, and gas sold per meter October a decrease of 15 per cent, compared with the t cotresponding period last year. The average rate of decrease for the current year has been 12.88 per cent.

“ Having recently seen some of the other countries of the world, I have come to the conclusion that New Zealand is one of the brightest spots on God’s earth, but the trouble is that we don’t believe it,” said Cr. P. W. Temple at a Borough Council function last evening.

Sneaking at a complimentary function tendered Borough Councillors last night, Mr J. W. Blackman, Gas Engineer, stated that of all the gas concerns in New Zealand which had to meet competition from electricity, the Masterton Municipal Department was showing up with the least loss of business. \

At the break up of the John M‘Glashan College in Dunedin chc» principal (Mi; C. M. Gilray) said that boys generally did net stay as long ns they should. They thought they were fit for the university when they passed the matriculation examination, but that was quite a mistaken idea. He considered that a hoy should stay at school for at least two years after passing matriculation. Most professors would back him up when he said tfiat a boy should stay at school at least one year.

The retail price of superfine butter in Auckland has been reduced by one penny to Is 7d per pound.

Because the watersiders and railway hands refused to unload phosphates in bags without extra pay, discharging operations at Lyttelton on the Kakapo on Saturday afternoon w r ere suspended, but resumed on Monday. Extra money was paid to the labourers today under protest.

The engineer to the Tararua Power Board stated at last meeting that there were still 43 consumers in the Eketahuna Borough who had not sign ed up for overiiaul of their in st alia* tier.. They had until the 30th inst. to sign up, and they had been to’d'of the consequences. “Out goes their light cm December ?1, that’s all.” said the chairman. “We’H hear some squeaking and gnashing of teeth then,” remarked Mr Turnor.

There seems to be a false idea current amongst the public that a Magistrate may tell the Press not to report cases. That is not so at all. The Legislature provides that where a person is liable for imprisonment or conviction a magistrate may prohibit publication of that person’s name,” said Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Christchurch.

The chairman of the Tararua Power Board (Mr J. D. Wilson) remarked at the last meeting that consuirtbrs were signing up exceptionally well, easily 95 per cent, taking the power. Numbers had signed up just recently when they found they had to pay for the current whether they signed up or not. Mr Brechin said that members were going to get “the shock of their lives” when they knew how exceptionally keen consumers were.

Local government is taken seriously in the Tararua Power district! At the last meeting of the Board a Pahl* atua member showed his confidence in the Board by wagering two ten pound notes that in three years from the time the juice w r as turned on, the Board would balance its budget, that is, they w'ould not then have to collect a rate. Two Eketahuna members covered the money in remarkably quick time.

The opinion was expressed by » broker to “The Age” yesterday that wool prices were likely to hold at tflMj present level for some time. He aa ct unted for this by the fact that considerable business was being done by buyers in purchasing wool privately after the sale at the pased-in price. Buyers, he said, would not continue on this policy if they anticipated a drop in prices at future sales.

At the annual meeting of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce the chairman said that the tourist traffic was coming very much to the fore just now’, “Whilst our primary industries demand,” he said “our closest attention, we must not lose sight of the fact that as far as scenery is concerned, we stand almost ‘pre-eminent,* and we can by judicious propaganda add considerably to the steady stream of tourists who visit our shores.”

The annual report of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce says: In the midst of the agreeable conditions of to-day it would be w r ell if the many bitter lessons of the slump days were not forgotten. If the higher prices have the effect of setting on foot an orgy of speculation, followed by the inevitable boosting up of land values and equally reckless over-importing, the big figures for wool and mutton will be a curse on the Dominion rather than a blessing.

Complaints have been made recently of an unwelcome odour in the Masterton cemetery, and the opinion was expressed in some quarters that the earth might be subsiding over some of the graves, bringing the interred remains too close to the surface. This, however, is quite wrong. The odour arises from the oxidised product from the gasworks which is put on the paths to destroy the weeds. The delegates of the United Friendly Society Dispensary Board on Monday night gave a very interesting address upon the working of the dispensary at the Foresters’ Lodge, and a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to them. Bro. A. Candy, was elected to represent the Lodge at the triennial meeting, to be held in Eketahuna in February. Bros. G. Scrivener and G. Selby were- elected delegates to the Dispensary Board. Two members were initiated into the Ord ar.

“Mr Massey maV.c a promise, and Mr. Massey's promise stands— there's no question about that,” said Tho Hon. J. G. Coates, Minister of Public Works at Timaru. “We have never questioned that,” said Mr. T. D. Burnett, M. P. for Temuka. “It is only the anti-Government people w r ho have done so.” “Mr. Massey is our guidmg star. ’ the Minister said, “and those who don't agree with him, I rathei* pity. ” Then in earnest tones: “He is the gentleman I wish to be loyal to, and shall be loyal to —my personal affection towards him is sufficient for that as ■ well as my regard for him as a man. Tho figure Mr. Massey makes in Imperial matters we, as New Zealanders, should be proud of.”

Cr. W. Kemp intimated to the Masterton Borough Council last evening, that the owner of a house in Dixon street which was recently damaged by fire was not satisfied with the inquiry that had been held to determine whether the outbreak was caused through the faulty installation of electric wires. Cr. Kemp asked that the Council request the Fire Board to institute an impartial inquiry. The allegation concerning tho outbreak had created a false impression, and should be put right. Cr. Russell said Supt. Freeman, who attended ths inquiry was satisfied that the installation was not tho cause. Cr. Jordan, who is a member of the Fire Board, said he would bring the matter up at tho next meeting of the Board.

The Masterton Gas Department had 1000 tons of coal on hand at the beginning of December Mr F. W. Temple, of Masterton, has secured the agency for the Wellingten Province for Wilson’s Cement Co. Three cases of scarlet fever in Oxford, Park and Gteorge streets, and a rase of dipfheria in Cole street, were reported to the Borough Inspector during November. At a meeting of the council of the National Coursing Association of New Zealand it was decided to grant the I’atea Club control of the Waterloo Cup meeting for 1925. The Park Custodian reported to the Masterton Borough Council last night that some disease had attacked the white rabbits in the Zoo, and it was necessary to destroy some of them.

The Masterton Library issued 5037 novels, and 22 books of other descriptions during November. New books numbering 101 were placed on the shelves. Subscribers at the end of the month numbered 680.

Two cases of diptheria, and one of pneumonic influenza were reported in the Wairarapa last week. The total infectious cases for the Wellington Health District were 43, compared with 48 for the previous week.

The following stock was slaughtered at the Masterton abattoirs during November: 113 cows, 69 bullocks, 56 heifers, 4 bulls, 494 wethers, 249 ewes, 121 lambs, 147 pigs and 9 calves. Fees amounted to £175, 14s 6d.

Messrs Levin and Co. announce that in their catalogue in the Wellington wool sale a New Zealand record was established by Puketiritiri station (MeKHlop Estate), 351 d being obtained for Southdown wool.

A reunion of uld pupils and a farewell to old Standard 6 pupils of the Masterton West School will be held on Thursday evening at the school. Tho “break-up” ceremony will take place on Friday at 1 p.m. Parents are invited to attend.

The headmaster of the Masterton West School (Mr H. Miller), reported last night that the percentages of attendances at the main school for the five days last week were 92, 92, 95, 95, 95. Only one teacher had been absent during the month, influenza being the cause.

Owners and occupiers of property in the Masterton Borough were required to carry out the following work during November: Clear noxious weeds 5, cut back shrubs 5, clear creeks 3, clear drains 2, cariy out plumbing repairs 2, remove accumulation 1, provide adequate water supply 1, connect with sewer 1.

A meeting of the Claims Board of the Wairarapa Patriotic Association was held yesterday, Messrs J. M. Coradinc, R. R. Burridge, G. C. Summerell and D. K.* Logan attending. Several claims for temporary relief were considered, and other routine business transacted.

A publication that docs great credit to its producers is “Blue and White,” the magazine of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington. A copy of this year’s issue has been received by “The Age.” In addition to an excellent chronicle of school doings, the magazine contains articles by Old Boys and an account of the celebrations of tho jubilee of Archbishop Redwood. The magazine: is attractively bound, and the articles arc well-arranged.

The Mastenon A. and.P. Association has published its schedule for the 3Sth annual to be held at Solway on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 17 and 18. The schedule again comprises a comprehensive range of richly endowed classes catering for all breeds of live stock, competitions, and industrial exhibits. Entries close on January 31. Schedules may now be obtained from the Secretary, Perry street, Masterton. Wallet lost. Reward. Ford ton truck for sale. Girl wanted for hotel kitchen. Five-seater Paige car for sale. Housekeeper wanted for station. Furnished 6-roomed house to let. Massey-Harris reaper and binder for sale. Spare motor tyre lost on CartertonGreytown road. Master and matron wanted for Carter \ Home for aged men at Carterton. An invitation is extended to citizens to attend a civic reception to be tendered the Faipule in the Council Chambers <sn Thursday at 11.30 a.m. Mr J. Bradbury, jeweller, is offering a ran- collection of quality goods suitable for Christmas gifts. Any last minute orders can be readily filled from this well selected stock. The Masterton Auctioneering Co. advertise a special unreserved sale of *Ticns t ducks, geese, vegetables, furniture, jewellery, E.P. ware and fancy goods at their Mart to-day at 2 p.m. “Enchanted Hill” (Peter B. Kyne), “Unknown Quantity” (Ethel M. Dell), “Lonesome Land” (B. M. r Bower), “The Traveller in the Fur /Stanley Weyman), on sale i N R. Brown’s. Ti • Masterton Auctioneering Co. advertise an auction sale of furniture and : ffects, at the residence of Mr A. S. V'lkinson, Donald road, Solway, on Saturday next at 1.30 p.m. A bus will leave their Mart at 1.15 for tho <onv yance of prospective buyers free The following new novels now on sale at McLeod and Young’s at 6s each:—“Grey Face” (Sax Rohmer), 4 ‘ Deadly Nightshade ’ ' (Margaret Pat ':sen), “In a Shantung Garden” (Louis Jordan Miln), “McGlusky, the Sea Rover” (A. G. Hales), “The Enchanted Hill” (Peter B. Kyne), also “Rose of Spadger’s,” a sequel to "“Ginger Mick” (C. J. Dennis) at 2/6. Opera House patrons are advised that in of the many disappointments they Wave had “The Lone Star Ranger,” Zane Grey’s great story, will be shown at the Opera House *tonight, to-morrow night and Friday.