LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8629, 11 December 1906, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Masterton-Woodville goods train at 10.5 to-night will not carry passengers.

Mr 0. A. Tabuteau, secretary of the Masterton Centre of the N.Z. Athletic Union, has been authorised to receive entries and fees for the N.Z. Exhibition Championship Sports to be held at Christchurch, on 24th. and 26th January.

" Trade prospects are good " is the text of a cable message received from Winnipeg from Mr J. G. Gow, who recently went to the west of Canada with samples of New Zealand produce. Canada, it is understood, is interested in the importation of flax, wool, skins, and hides.

At Hastings, last week, a settler was fined 10s, and 15s costs, for sending cows to an auction sale without having them properly milked beforehand. The Bench said the practice of not milking cows before a sale was a general one, but buyers were not deceived by it.

A property in High street, Christchurch, is reported to have changed hands at a price equal to £500 per foot frontage. Deducting the value of buildings, the price works out at £3-10 per foot, the highest prico yet obtained in the city. The owner was Mr G. R. Fail, and the purchasers are said to be a Wellington firm.

As an indication that things are pretty good in Palmerston North, the Chief Inspector of the Labour Department states that die labour bureau there has received only four applications for employment in ten days the bureau is unable to fill require ments for road-making men and general navvies. The local paper reports that during the floods in the Manakau district (near Otaki) two small boys, Eric and Archie Lindsay, effected a very plucky rescue. While paddling in the flood water the younger brother Len fell into a deep hole and his two brothers jumped in and saved him. Neither of the boys could swim.

A Christchurch message states that rain fell in heavy showers throughout the north and mid Canterbury on Sunday night and yesterday morning. It will do a large amount of good to the crops and grass, which were beginning to show the effects of the dry weather. There was a heavy thunderstorm in Christchurch on Sunday night.

There were very few domestic servant? among the immigrants by the liner Corinthic on her last voyage from Home. Some few who had been in service at home were surprised to hear of the high rate of wages ruling here. One of them stated that if this fact was known in England and Ireland many more girls would, come to the colony.

Thus the owner of a missing unbrella relieves his pent-up feelings in the advertising columns of a Wellington paper : —" Lost, stolen, or strayed. Empire Hotel. Will the Gentleman who took my Umbrella from the Writing Room of the Empire Hotel kindly return same when no longer required. My name clearly insciibed on handle; a new umbrella given in exchange if desired."

At last night's meeting of the Borough Council. Cr Ewington gave notice of intention to move at to-night's meeting of the Borough Council, that the question of erecting anncrw r municipal building be taken in hand at once. The subject arose through soma proposed expenditure on a show-room for gas appliances. The mover thought it was time to face the question before any more money was spent in the manner proposed to be done in the present case — patching up an old building.

A novel and probably unique spectacle is at present to be seen on Mr George Shaw's farm at Claremont, near Timaru, where there is a cow suckling two lambs, and bringing them up well. The lambs and their foster-mother are the best of friends, the cow appearing to be quite convinced that the lambs are her twin calves, and she treats them in all respects as if they were. With such a liberal supply of milk the lambs derive from the cow, they have become so fat as to be scarcely able to walk.

At a meeting of the delegates of the Canterbury Brass Bands Association, formed in the interests of country and second-class bands, held at Temuka on Wednesday, it was unanimously decided to hold the next contest at Ashburton in October, 11)07. The music for the selection, quickstep and quartet competitions will be chosen by the Association Executive, the judge to be elected by an absolute majority of the bands competing,

The case of a woman who made her one hundred and seventeenth appearance for drunkenness at the Dunedin Police Court, yesterday morning, was referred to by Mr C. C. Graham, S.M. He said that he had been in communication with the Government in respect to an institution to which habitual drunkards could be sent. Arrangements, however, bad not yet been made for such a place, but the Government was taking steps in the matter.

The following subscriptions have been re ceived since last meeting in aid of the Mas terton Si. John's Ambulance Association :—

Messrs 11. Williams 10s; W. H. Hirschberg 5s 6d ; D. Caselberg 2s ; M. Caselberg 4s; A. Caselberg 2s; G. Watson, junr., ss; E. J. Rose 2s; Miss Steer Is; Miss Waterhouse Is; J. Billington ss; H. Biliington 2s 6d ; Scrag Is ; C. C. Smith Is ;J. Williams Is ; W. J. Is ; C. F. Is ; E. R. Is; A. Billington 2s 6d ;J. Barr Is ; H. A. Whelch 2s Gd; R. E. Jones 2s 6d; Nott 2s Gd ; J. Wickens ss.

At a meeting held in the V.M C.A. rooms, last evening, the formation of a ladies' auxiliary in connection with the Association was discussed. It was thought that a useful purpose would be served by such a proposal, and the meeting resolved to form the auxiliary, electing the following officers: —President, Mrs Duncan McGregor, senr.; Vice-Presidents, Mesdames F. C. Daniell, Dr Hosking, Alex Donald, A. M. Johnston, A.. T. Thompson; Secretary and Treasurer, Miss C. V. Joy. About twenty members were elected to the committee.

The committee appointed by the V.M.C.A.. in connection with the Boxing Day picnic, met last night, in the Association's rooms. It was reported that arrangements for the gathering were well forward, the function promising to be very successful. The programme of events drawn up includes running and boating events, and is of a comprehensive nature. Should the day be fine a good outing is promised those who attend. Drags leave the Association's building at 9 a.m. tor the picnic. Another committee meeting is to be held on December 21st.

In an Australian wrestling championship match at Melbourne, recently, Buttan Singh, an Asiatic, and formerly champion, gave in to Clarence Weber. The four thousand spectators, according to the Bulletin, were very enthusiastic when the Pathan refused to go on. In the first bout, lasting thirteen minutes, the white had to fall or have his thigh dislocated, so he went down. In the second round, Weber secured a " head bar " and " three-quarter Nelson," successfully felling his man. Buttan, who was bleeding at the nose and mouth, declined to come on again. No sympathy was shown for him, on account of the brute-like tactics by which he won his former matches.

A year or two ago a well-known general in the United States army died in a comparatively small town in the States, leaving property to the value of about £50,000. So far as the authorities knew, the deceased had no relatives in America, and they have been hunting the earth to find some relations to claim the money. But by the purest accident, says the Opunake Times, a genial cockatoo in that district saw a paragraph from a Home paper referring to the matter, and immediately concluded that the deceased was an uncle of his, and is so positive about it that he has taken steps to prove his claim. It appears that tho deceased, when quite a lad left Home for America, and nothing was ever heard of him by any of his relatives until his decease, when inquiries were instituted by the Mayor of the town (where he died) for his relatives. If the cockatoo turns out to be the rightful heir and obtains the money, or a share of it, things will be merry for a while in Opunake.

The Egmont Mountain House cottage has already been engaged by eight parties for the coming season.

At a sitting of the Police Court, this morning, before Mr Myer Caselberg, J.P., three first offenders were fined 5s for insobriety.

The first annual gathering of the Martinborough Caledonian Society is announced for Anniversary Day. £80 and six gold medals are to be distributed as prizes.

The Official Assignee has been appointed receiver in the estate of J. Montgomerie, tailor, Greytown, pending the hearing of a petition in bankruptcy.

The police were watching the raffles at a bazaar, at Dannevirke, on Saturday night, very closely, and a local paper understands it is not unlikely that something more will be heard of the matter.

Greytown town clock has gone on strike by ceasing to strike or even to work at all. The local paper suggests that it be placed under the care of a competent mechanic, or else that a charge of dynamite be let off under it.

The members of the Permanent Force of New Zealand, Auckland, have commissioned Mr E. M. Smith, M.H.R, to procure a memorial wreath to be placed on the grave of the lato wife of Colonel Davies. The wreath is a most handsome one, on a stand bearing the words "In loving memory."

It is currently reported (says the Taranaki Xen-s) that, in filling the vacancies in the Legislative Council, the Premier will appoint some representatives of the farming interests. It is generally believed that Sir William Russell, Mr J. G. Wilson, President of the Farmers' Union, and Mr John Heslop, of South Taranaki, will be amongst the chosen.

On page 2, to-day, will be found au article on Nature Studies, by O. E. Hugo; on pace 3 are reports of a meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of R. J. Hodgins, and the Eketahuna County Council's monthly meeting ; our weekly Wellingletter—Life in the City- appears on page G. Commercial news will be found on page 7.

At the Marton Court on Friday the Mayor (Mr J. F. Sic ly) proceeded against a Councillor, Mr Samuel Gibbons, for voting on a question in Avhich he was personally interested relating to a payment of money by him, the said S. Gibbons, for the supply to him by the Corporation, in respect of premises belonging to him outside the boundaries of the Borough, of water belonging to the Corporation. Mr Ridded, S.M., reserved judgment.

Ministerial promises (says the Taranaki Xeics) are proverbially crisp, easily broken. Mr Joll mentioned at Friday's Council meeting in Waitara that when the Minister for Public Works was at Urenui some time ago he said he had had no idea that the roads in the district were so bad. Had he known it he wouldn't have allowed it. Which read very well, and sounded very well. " But," said Mr Joll, " he hasn't done anything, and he still hands over roads in a worse condition than ever." " Just before last election," the councillor remarked, " he passed my gate, and looking back over the road, said,' we'll have to metal this ;it will have to be metalled.' But there's no metal yet."

The annual entertainment by the pupils of St. Bride's Convent is to take place this year on Wednesday the 19th, and judging from the programme to be submitted should prove the most successful yet held. Various musical items, including Mozart's Symphony and Beethoven's Adieu, by the Convent orchestra and songs and choruses from the' pupils will form the first part of the programme, while the second part will be taken up by the production of the grand operetta "Sherwood's Queen" (Pattison). As the pupils hive given considerable time to the preparation of ihe different items under the tuition of the Sisters, an enjoyable evening may be looked forward to by those who will patronise the entertainment on the 19th.

A somewhat serious trap accident occurred in Queen-street, yesterday afternoon. Mr Con Vallance was driving past the Post Ollice, in company with Mrs Vallance, when the horse, a rather restive one, jibbed at being pulled up a little suddenly to negotiate the street lamp. The animal getting one foot over the swingle-tree, dragged the trap right on the footpath in front of Reynolds' cycle shop, and after striking the windowsill swerved oil again to the road, where both shafts snapped oft' short. This caused the body of the vehicle to turn completely over, precipitating the occupants on to the road. Mrs Vallance struck the road heavily, sustaining severe cuts behind the ear, and was rendered unconscious, Mr Vallance falling on his side. Mrs Vallance was taken to Dr Cowie's rooms, and afterwards to the Club Hotel, where she now lies in a semiconscious state. Beyond a severe shaking, Mr Vallance sustained no injuries.

The new premises, at Awapuni, of the Manawatu Meat and Cold Storage Company, to whom the Palmerston Borough Council has delegated its powers in regard to abattoirs, were opened yesterday. At a luncheon held in the establishment, the Mayor of Palmerston (Mr M. Cohen), members of the Borough Council, Dr Mason (Chief Health Officer), Mr C. J. Reakes (acting Chief Veterinarian), and a number of prominent citizens and medical men were guests. After a brief toast list, the contractors (Messrs Griggs" and Son) presented the Chairman of Directors (Mr R. S. Abraham), with a handsome miniature pithing spear, silver-moiuved and engraved, in honour of the occasion. In the after- 1 noon the guests witnessed the first kill in the slaughter chamber. The works are situated on the road to Awapuni racecourse, and are very complete. About £5,000 was expended on the abattoir portion, £1750 on a digester and plant, and £3000 on the refrigerator building. A homing pigeon is advertised as found by Mr J. Compton. A smart lad to learn the hairdressing trade is required. Two springing heifers and a cow just calved are advertised for sale. Tenders for various works are invited by the Masterton County Council. The W.F.C.A. advertise reductions in prices of 'Xmas fruits in their advertisement on page 4. The owner of a lady's basket-ware hamper found in Pine-street, last evening, is advertised for. Dr H. Spear, M.P.0.C., eyesight specialist, will visit Masterton on Friday and Saturday next. Mr J. Compton, Macduff Dairy, gives notice that poison for dogs will be laid on his property after this date. Mr W. 11. Cole, painter and signwriter, has an advertisement elsewhere in this issue which is of special interest to those who are about to have their houses renovated. Messrs R. E. Howell and Co., Ltd., will hold a clearing sale of Mr Malcolm Mcintosh's household furniture at his residence, Hogg Cresent, on Thursday next. Tenders are invited by Messrs Seaton and Sladden, engineers, for seventeen and a-half chains of street formation and concrete culvert on the Renall Estate, Masterton. The consignment of boots, shoes, drapery, clothing and fancy goods to be sold at J. R. Nicol's auction mart, to morrow, will be on vtew previous to the sale. A clearance is to be made, and a splendid opportunity of obtaining new goods is thus offered. Thirty-seven pounds ten shillings will secure a first-class English Piano" at the Furnishing Dept., W.F.C.A* T.he best poultry cross is the " White Orpington." Cockerels, 10s each, can be had from J. 11. Payton, Akura* For ploughing very stony land or amongst roots, or where great strength and weight are required, use a P. and D. Duncan Swamp Plough. Masterton Implement Company, Agents* Carbolic Tooth Powder. The popular powder for cleansing the teeth and leaving a refreshing taste in the'*mouth. 6d and Is. H. T. Wood, Chemict and Pharmacist (by exam)., Masterton. 55

Some commercial, telegraphic and general items are unavoidably held over to-day.

As the tender of Mr W. S. Lett for the •erection of the tea kiosk in the Masterton Park was above the Borough Council's estimate, the Park Committee of the Council has approved arrangements whereby Mr Lett takes over the contract at the estimated (£207). The man who dropped dead in church in Wellington, on Sunday evening, has been identified as a man named R. Cook, who joined the Corinthic at Plymouth. Death was found to be heart failure, deceased's heart being nearly three times the normal size.

The Christchurch City Council will take a poll for the rateoayers' sanction of a loan of £5000 to erect a public tepid bath. The proposed bath will be 100 feet by 30 feet, with a depth ranging from 3 feet G inches to 8 fset. The water will be heated from tho destructor furnaces, and will afford swimming all the year round.

Messrs Rawlinson and Ifwerson's fancy goods warehouse, at Auckland, was burglariously entered between Saturday night and Monday, whengoods to the valuo of £20 were stolen. Tho thief was evidently disturbed, us a large pile of solid silver goods was found dumped on the iloor, and also a handbag stuffed full of silver. An entrance was effected by boring through the door from an adjoining warehouse.

A Pahiatua message states that the ■Pueather is most favorable for the development of the dairying industry. The. Ballance Co-operative Dairy Company pay out on Saturday next £5500 for milk supplied during November, the rate of advance being lOd per lb of butter fat. Two suppliers receive £100 each for the month's milk. Tho Makuri Dairy Company pay out £600 next Saturday for milk supplied during last month.

Special musical services are being arranged for next Sunday at the Methodist Church. It had been intended to_ take these in connection with the Christmas Festival, but owing to several members of the choir being absent from Masterton on Christmas Sunday, it has been decided to hold these next Sunday. For some time the choir has had in rehearsal selected solos and choruses from Handel's Messiah, aud these will be rendered at both services. A strong orchestra will assist, and some of the best known amateurs will take part.

Strawberries and Cream can be had at the W.F.C.A. Tea Rooms on Wednesdays and Saturdays. o