LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8359, 29 January 1906, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The cricket match between Greytown and Masterton Seniors did not take place on Saturday last, as the Greytown ground was otherwise engaged.

Dr Mason, Chief Medical Officer, who has been on a health trip to the Old Country, will arrive in the colony by the Gothic at the end of March.

The largest estate of a deceased person on which probate duty was paid during the past month is that of the late Mr John Plimmer, of Wellington—£3s,93-1.

A New York decorator has confessed to stealing £20,000 worth of jewellery from various houses. His method was to press the stolen articles into a ball of putty.

All tenders for lighting in connection with the International Exhibition to bo held at Christchurch, were declined, on the ground of being too high. Fresh tenders will be called.

There was a time in Eltham when a Chinaman could not exist there, people showing their preference for the European. Times have changed, and we now have two Chinese stores, says the local Argus.

The " Apaches," the hooligans of Paris, have started • a school for the. study of Japanese wrestling, in order to be on equal terms with the police. The instructor is an ex-convict and ex-prize fighter, who has learned the art from a native professor.

The Rev Isaac Zachariah, who recently resigned the position of Senior Rabbi at Christchurch, owing to failing health, died somewhat suddenly yesterday morning from valvular trouble of the heart. He was connected with the Synagogue at Christchurch for thirty-six years.

As showing the increase in the telephone exchanges in the colony since they were established in 1882, it may be stated that in the latter year there were 116 connections, while in 1905 the number was 13,423. The balance of revenue over working expenses in 1905 was £7959, as against £208 in 1882.

The next best mail despatch for Continent of Europe and United Kingdom will be c/a San Francisco, closing at Masterton on Wednesday, 7th February, at 4.45 o'clock, due London, 10th March Money orders for despatch by this mail must be procured before .4 p.m. on Tuesday, 6th February. The inward 'Frisco mail steamer " Sierra " is due in Auckland on Monday, 12th February. A well-known counsel, examining the plaintiff in a breach of promise case, inquired of her: " Was the defendant's air when he proposed to marry you perfectly serious or one of levity and jocularity ?" The com-plaint-ant replied: "If you please, sir it was all ruffled with him running his hands through it." " You misapprehend my meaning," said the counsel. " Was the promise made in utter sincerity ?" "No, sir; it was made in the wash-house," replied the plaintilt, amid xoars of laughter. The Salvation Army corps at Stratford have been minus the use of their drum for the last six weeks. The reason assigned is that whilst the hall was occupied by the school children, during the renovation of (he school, an enterprising young juvenile experimented with the drum to study its internal arrangements. Consequently, it is stated, a new drum head is required. The Education Board has been served with a bill for 12s damages, and has referred the matter to the headmaster for his remarks.

The boy King, who accidentally in play shot another boy dead with a revolver at Auckland, was addressed as follows by the Coroner: "The jury are satisfied that the shooting was an accident, but you will go down to the grave with the knowledge, that this boy's blood is on you. The only way I can suggest for you to atone for what you have done is to caution other people, and particularly boys, against using firearms. You can see the awful result of it. Take every opportunity to prevent other people making the same slip as yourself."

Speaking at Dunedin the other night, Sir Robert Stout said that at the " capping" ceremonies the behaviour of the undergraduates of Auckland was all that could be desired, but the same could not be said of the other centres. Considering the attitude of many students and graduates towards this ceremony, the Senate will now be called on to determine whether or not the public function should be continued. These "'capping" ceremonies cost a considerable sum, which might be better utilised in endowing at least two junior scholarships.

When the potato disease was first investigated—the year before last—the Government Biologist, Mr T. W. Kirk, declared that it has been introduced with the new varieties for which there has been such a craze during the past few years. Inspection of seed potato shipments has proved Mr Kirk's contention to be true, the disease having been found in quite a number of consignments of imported potatoes, both from the United States and England. Steps are being taken to prevent the distribution of any seed which may be found to be affected.

A meeting of the Executive Committee of the St. Patrick's Day Sports Society was held in the Technical School building on Saturday evening. Mr G. Watson presided over a good attendance of members. The resignation of Mr F. OToole as a member of the executive was accepted with regret. Three members were nominated for the vacancy and a ballot resulted in the election of Mr W. L. Falconer. The question of the sale of privileges was left over till another meeting. The President, Secretary and Mr O'Connell were deputed to attend to necessary advertising. Some routine matters were handled.

A party of six people had a very exciting experience at the Spa, Taupo, last week while oat rowing in a boat on the Waikato river, says a Gis borne paper. They intended to land alongside the Waipikirangi geyser, which is situated near the Crow's Nest, and had been dormant for some time. Just as the party were within a few yards of the geyser, and about to land, it burst into action, throwing up water to the height of a hundred feet. The occupants of the boat had just sufficient time to avert being scalded by the boiling water. Since the outburst the geyser has been playing regularly every day, and is now considered to be one"of the biggest geysers in the thermal district.

A batch of humble bees, to assist in the fertilisation of red clover, has been shipped from England, which caused the Otautau (Southland) local paper to remark : — "Several considerable sized batches of humble bees could have been procured in this, and probably in many other districts in New Zealand, without going all the way to England for them ; and we are. sure our horticulturists would be glad to see their number reduced. A good few observant farmers maintain that the seed of the Californian thistle was never fertilised' until the advent of the humble bee. How would a debit and credit' account stand between farmers and these Acclimatisation Societies, if a careful calculation were made of the effect the latter's importation have had upon the agricultural community of New Zealand, for good and for damage done ?"

A cable message, received to-day, tyjm nounces the death of Rev. Haskett Smitlr who, some years ago, toured Australasia lecturing on Palestine. The Most Rev the Primate of New Zealand, who has been recommended by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales for appointment by his Majesty the King as a subprelate of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, leaves for England a few weeks hence. The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr C. M. Gray) has written to Sir Joseph Ward suggesting that the Government should earnestly consider the question of the electrification of the Lyttelton railway lino, with the object of abolishing the smoke nuisance in the tunnel. A Hokitika message states that a man named Frederick J. Mardon, charged criminally at the District Court with breaches of the Bankruptcy Act, was found guilty of obtaining goods on credit while being an undischarged bankrupt. . He was admitted to six months' probation. The Matahiwi-road at the present time is no doubt one of the beauty spots of the Masterton district. The picturesque patcil of Native bush about three miles out from Masterton is fresh and green and most of the Native shrubs and toi tois are in bloom. The stream winding under the trees materially enhances the delightfully cool and pleasant aspect of the scene. One night recently a young couple from about Clinton arrived at Invercargill by the late train, and, after vainly endeavouring to find lodging, appealed to one of the constables on duty. The best he could do (and it was very good) was to send the bride to his own house for the night; the bridegroom had perforce to accept to offer of a citizen to occupy a shed and make the best of an unpleasant situation. Cricket notes by "The Bowler" and " Point" and other matches, and some useful hints on practical agriculture will be found on page 6. The report of a meeting of directors of the Wairarapa Caledonian Society, and an article on the Monroe Doctrine appear on page 3. Page 2 contains an interesting chapter on " Christmas among the Explorers " and a Hawera boy's comments on the Welsh match are published on page 7. " The State coach is very slow," said Premier at Pahiatua on Friday afternoon t m a deputation that was urging upon him the" necessity of utilising the Makuri falls in the water-power scheme. As long ago as 189 C he had Makuri in his eye amongst other sources of power. Ten years had gone by and they were not much further ahead except to secure the power sources against monopolists. " Lord knows," concluded the Premier with a sigh--" Lord knows when Romething will be done. I'm getting tired of it." Mr Robert Johnston, of Homebush, is just now cutting a well-grown paddock of oats, which are exceptional for the strong and clean growth of straw and well filled heads. They are of the Roseberry variety. The paddock, about twenty acres in extent, has been under cultivation for sixteen years. The crop referred to is estimated to yield at least eighty bushels to the acre, and in length the crop averages sft Gin all through, some of it reaching six feet. Mr D. Wilton took a photograph of the crop and the harvesting team at work this morning. Miss Eva Rigg, daughter of Mr R. Rigg, of Kuripuni, met with an unfortunate accident about 6 o'clock on Saturday. She was cycling along Chapel-street, and when near the junction of that street with Renallstreet, a horse ridden by a lad named Hecksher collided with the back wheel of the machine. Miss Rigg was thrown with* considerable force to the ground, and wherfl picked up was unconscious. A crowd of people soon collected, and Miss Rigg received every attention, while at the same time Dr Cook was telephoned for and arrived promptly. The sufferer was carried home and it was not till Sunday morning she regained consciousness. She appears to have escaped without broken bories, or even bruises, which must be considered particularly fortunate. The rider of the horse lost control of the animal to which cause the incident is attributed.

St Patrick's Day will fall on a Saturday this year, and the local Society are somewhat concerned about getting a general holiday in the town for their sports gathering on that day. The subject was mentioned at a meeting of the Executive held on Saturday evening. A suggestion was made by one of the members that an influential Committee should be set up to canvass tradespeople, with a view to getting the day observed as a holiday; but there was a consensus of opinion that any effort of that kind would be futile. It was pointed out that last year, when the tradespeople were approached with a similar request, only one hour in the afternoon was conceded, and it was then indicated that the favour was a special one. Last yeajj it was a Friday, and, as to securing a day for the Sports on the Saturday, it was looked upon as impossible. One member, with a disposition for the material, pertinently drew attention to the expansion of the Society, and the influence it must inevitably wield in the community; while another optimistically declared that the Sports would be a success independently of a holiday being observed in the town. A further suggestion was made in the direction of persuading some of the factories to close down on the Saturday afternoon in lieu of Thursday. No action was taken in the matter. An advertiser requires board or bedroom with partial board. Miss Church notifies ihat she will resume teaching to-morrow. Tenders are invited for the erection of a bulk store in Masterton. A 5-roomed house and -.[-acre section adjoining, in good locality, is advertised for sale. A reward is offered for the return of a lady's gold cable bracelet, lost on Saturday last. Mr H. T. Wood, chemist and optician, has an advertisement on page 6 of this issue of interest to all who suffer from their eyes. Mr J. C. Boddington notifies that he has removed to offices formerly ocaupied Mr Burton Boys, nearly opposite the Office. ' " Klenzo " extract of soap is one of the best and most economical clensing agencies obtainable. It is procurable at local storekeepers or from Ilayward Bros and Co., Ltd., Christchurch. Mr P. Hamill has a change advertisement in this issue, in which he offers a large stock of new sample caps and hats at London prices. Attention is also drawn to a number of other special lines. McCormick Harvesting Machines are universally recognised as the standard in their line. —Agent, Farmers' Implement Co., Masterton. —Advt. A great rush is being experienced at the present time, through people being anxious to secure some of the novelties in the way of Japanese Hallstands, Tables, Flower Stands, etc., which are procurable at the W.F.C.A., Ltd , Furnishing Department.—Advt. Medicated Sugar, a certain remedy for worms, so troublesome with children. They are tasteless, and children like them Is, Is 6d. H. T. Wood, Chemist and Pharmacist (by exam.), Masterton. —Advt. <JH The sales of the Zealandia Woolpress increase annually. It has no equal for its purpose—woolpressing.—Masterton Farmers' Implement Co., Manufacturers. — Advt.

A Press message from Nelson, this afternoon, states that the week's Carnival has opened with fine weather.

A first offending inebriate, who did not appear at the Masterton Court this morning, had his bail money (ss) estreated.

Thursday will be the anniversary of the Province of Nelson, the first immigrant ship having arrived on Ist February 1842.

Extensive alterations are to be made to the premises occupied by Mr C. Smith, draper, in Queen-street, Masterton.

Mr A. R. Bunny has resigned his position of choirmaster of *St. Patrick's Church, Masterton, after a tenure of that ollico lasting some thirty years.

Mr S. K. Wright, Secretary of Masterton Employers' Association, has received from the Government an official notification of the abandonment, of the Labour Parliament.

A number of sawmillers were fined, by the Wellington S.M., to-day, £1 and costs for floating timber rafts down the Wanganui river without having a license to do so.

The re-captured prisoner, J. F. Crook, was sentenced to-day, in Wellington, to a further term of six months for escaping, and to three months for theft of clothes subsequent to his escape.

Master Clifford Simmons of Te Ore Ore has discovered a Homer Pigeon with a silver ring on the right leg bearing the inscription N. F. C. 02.3155 and on its left leg is a rubber ring with the number 805 stamped on it.

A large grain and produce shed 28 by 50, has just been erected to the order of Mr A. J. Giddings at tho rear of his business premises in Queen-street, Masterton. The shed has a 12ft stud, and is built on piles 3ft from the ground. Mr Giddings deals extensively in farm products, and will now be enabled to store it in considerable quantities.

The. Governor has informed the Premier that his Excellency Admiral Fawkes, accompanied by Lady Fawkes, will arrive in Wellington in the flag-ship Powerful on the evening of February 7th or the morning of the Bth, and will spend live or six weeks visiting different parts of the colony. The Governor will arrive in Wellington on the Sth to receive the Admiral.

The Isle of Wight Guardians recently Imd before them a starving man, who, the chairman said, came out from the famous defence of the guns at Colenso in the South African War a wounded prisoner, and the Government did not give him a single farthing beyond his pay. He had walked to every corn?r of the island in search of work, and could be scon to be starving as he stood.

The i'o.s/ has been asked by Mr Hey wood, Secretary to the Treasury, to contradict a .statement republished from a Christchureh paper to the effect that Mr Macintosh, General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, is severing his connection with the bank owing to some difference of opinion with respect to the Government banking account. Mr Hey wood says the statement is without foundation.

The pupils of the Mastcrton District High School assembled, after the holidays, this morning, but were dismissed by instructions of the Committee for a further week on account of painting at the school not having been completed. The interior has been repainted and is not quite dry, with the result that the smell of paint in the rooms is very strong. The workmen are at present employed painting the outside portion of the building.

Constable Ogilvie, of Flemington, Victoria, ■who has been successful during the past three months in obtaining convictions against various betting shops and two-up schools, has received a letter which makes reference to the recent bomb outrage, when Detective O'Dcnnell's life was aimed at, and proceeds to warn Constable Ogilvie as follows :—" We are warning you that you will be next for a bomb. We will not make a mess of it this time, but will blow your head clean off."

" You are eliminating from the programme all Irish sport," objected a member at Saturday night's meeting of St. Patrick's Day Sports Committee. He a.luded to the •wrestling event, and he declared it was that form of sport he preferred to watch rather than loads of foot and bicycle events. In fact, the objector waxed very indignant that a sport so vitally a part of Irish life should be quietly dropped out of the programme of a St. Patrick's sports. He looked upon it not only as a grave error but as showing a lack of patriotism. Other members heartily agreed with the sentiments, and while some of the members admitted it was quite an oversight on their part, it was officially explained that the event was dropped out on account of there being so few competitors. Usually there were only two wrestlers, and it was not good enough to provide prize money when the inducement was so inconsequential. It was decided that the programme, which has been distributed, cannot be altered.

Our Carterton special writes : —A meeting of the stewards of the Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club was held on Saturday evening, Mr G. W. Daller in the chair. Only routine business was transacted, and accounts passed for payment. - A very nicely designed three-decker wedding cake is at present on ■view in the window of Mr W, Parker's baker and confectioner's shop.—At the local Methodist Sunday School yesterday afternoon the annual prize distribution took place, Mr Jas Brown (Mayor) making the presentations In doing so, Mr Brown referred to the importance of the scholars attending the Sunday School regularly and also made reference to the good work done in the Sunday School. A medal, offered for the scholar who gained the highest total of marks for lessons, attendance, etc., was won by Miss J. Aplin. Miss E. Butler was second, only one. mark below the winner. The medal, to become the sole property of any scholar, has to be won twice in succession.—The scholars attending St. Mark's (Church of England) Sunday School re-assembled yesterday afternoon, after having had the usual month's holiday. Daring the afternoon the children sang a thanksgiving hymn for the success bestowed upon their recent picnic.