LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8910, 9 November 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A visitor passing through Mangataiuoka on Wednesday noticed the abundance of feed, and the good condition of the stock.

The building trade seems to be active at Eketahuna, as a casual visitor noticed quite a number of houses in different stages of construction.

Tuesday and Wednesday were the hottest days experienced in Foxton for a long time. It was also very hot on those days in Palmerston North.

The distribution of the Parliamentary grant of £3000 to pnhlic libraries will be made on 4th February. No claim will be entitled to consideration unless it is sent in by the 27th January.

There are twenty-one farmers and nine farm and general labourers amongst the third-class passengers by the Cornwall, due in Wellingon from London on 29th November. , The steamer is also bringing out four domestic servants.

An Auckland message states that during October the Talisman Consolidated crushed and treated 4305 tons of ore for a return of bullion valued at £18,655. This is the highest monthly return for the current year, and an increase of nearly £4000 upon the return for September, when 3875 tons yielded £14,930 16s lid.

Yesterday (People's Day) was the last day of the Canterbury A. and" P. Association's Metropolitan Show, and was very largely attended, the total number of admissions being 32,224 for the day. The gate takings totalled £1010 6s 9d, which does not include the railway receipts. The total receipts for the three days amount to £1237 15s Bd. Last year's"four days' Exhibition Show produced £1313 18s 4d.

The Professorial Board of Victoria College, Wellington, has decided'fctw. 4 nominate Mr Gilbert Vere Rhodes the New Zealand Rhodes scholar t<mr 1908. r ' - . At a meeting of hotel, boardinghouse and restaurant keepers, at Palmerston yesterday,' it was decided to form a Caterers' Union and raise the price of tariffs owing to the high price of necessaries of life. A sub- ' committee was appointed to prepare a detailed revised tariff and submit it to a future meeting.

A..young- Maori leper said-to be a resident of Pjihiatua, was brought down by the Rofcomabana to Christchurch, yesterday, and taken to the leper station at Quail Island. It is understood tbat two other patients for Quail Island are to be brought down from the North Island shortly, but the utmost secrecy is being observed by the health authorities

It has been decided to close the R. Brown Testimonial Fund on Monday, the 18th inst. Subscriptions will be received up to that date by any member of the Committee or by the hbn. / secretary, Mr W. M. Easthope. Th«Bf Canvassing Committee report they have met with great success in their rounds, and the presentation will be of a very substantial nature.

Several large sales of properties have taken place in the neighbourhood of Oamaru, ranging in area up to about 6000 acres. Amongst these were the late Mr Samuel Wilson's Alta Valley Estate, Mr James Ross' Kartigi property, McKenzie Bros. Bushy Park Estate, Meadow Bank (acquired by the Government). Yesterday the National Mortgage and Agency Company sold, on behalf of Mr A. D. Bell. 4650 acres of his Shag Valley Station. The buyer of the last-named property is Mr Charles Bowker, of Timaru.

Competitors are beginning to arrive for the grand military tournament to be held on the Palmerston Showgrounds, on Monday, thirty-two corps being represented by about five hundred competitors. The D Battery's three guns and twelve horses (trained gun horses) from the Permanent Forces are expected from Wellington by train to-day. As large numbers of competitors will arrive there on Saturday night, there will be a large church parade on Sunday. J^ We understand that during the *' approaching summer the Borough Council will arrange to keep the reservoir full. If so any want of sufficiency in a case of emergency will arise from the limitations imposed by mains and connecting pipes. This, so far as it goes, is reassuring, but a dry summer may prove a severe test of the existing supply. As far as restricting the use of water goes, we are informed that the present intention of the Council is to check waste, but not to interfere with a reasonable use of water for gardening purposes.

The Committee of the Carlton Cricket Club met last evening, in the Occidental Hotel. Present —Messrs B. Collinge (chairman), E. Welch, T. Hoar, J. O'Leary, 0. Owen and F. P. Welch. The following new members were elected:—H. H. Bell, R Welch, A. Welch, junr., V. Williams and Sheppard. The resignation of Mr G. Isaacs as a member of the Club was accepted. Mr 0. Owen was elected to the Finance Committee, and Mr R. Moss to the General Committee! The secretary was instructed to notify all members that they must appear in the field in cricket costume and caps of the Club's colours. The Carlton Club _ are arranging for a match with Eketa- wP huna, to be played at Masterton on ~ Monday, if possible.

The increase in the cost of living is world wide. In the United States it has gone up by leaps and bounds. In spite of protests the provision dealers of Chicago raised their prices 10 per cent., and the Meat Trust is charging higher rates in the wholesale market for pork, mutton, and beef. The Trust raised the prices from one to four cents per hundredweight, according to qualities, and the retail dealers followed suit by raising the prices 20 to 30 per cent. The reason given in the meat trade was that seasonal fluctuation in the market must be expected. The poorer classes are said to be suffering greatly, for the best qualities of meat are now at prices which are prohibitive to them, and the feeling against the Meat Trust is very strong.

A well-known Palmerston North produce firm writes to the Mauawatu Times as follows:—"Some weeks ago a farmer near Foxton purchased from a Wellington firm some Australian Algerian oats as seed oats. Fortunately he referred the sample to us, <g± and we pointed out weeds of descriptions, with a very large per- ■■■ centage of California thistle. Subsequently a well-known farmer from down the Manawatu line brought us in a large sample of pure Californian thistle that he found in some Australian seed oats he had also purchased from a Wellington firm. Fortunately this farmer is a practical man, and recognises that if he fed his horses with these oats it simply meant that he was indirectly sowing his land with Califoruian thistle, for the horses were to be engaged immediately in ploughing and preparing a paddock to be laid down in seed, and he at once rejected the oats. In the interests of all concerned (seed merchants as well as the land ownfirs) we feel that too much publicity cannot be given to this matter, and that it should be the duty of the Government to have all grain" entering the Dominion from Australia properly graded.''

The Government purposes to add extensively to the Post and Telegraph building in Wellington. A number of years ago the laud behind the existing buildings was acquired so as to give the Government a complete block with four street frontages. The rapid increase of work and addition of several branches, has crowded the existing building and the Postal Sayings Bank and Money Order Depart- ' meut has had to be removed to Lambton Quay. Considerable difficulty has also occurred in finding room for the Parcels Department, which has grown to be an institution of great magnitude, the business with Great Britain and the Commonwealth having increased at a rate that is almost phenomenal. It is proposed to expend about £80,000 in the erection, as soon as possible, of a buildiug that will fill up the whole of the block and will constitute, with the exception of the huge wooden block known as the Government Buildings, the largest edifice in the city, or, we believe in the Dominion. Although this means a great enlargement of the existing accommodation, it is believed, owing to the way in which the work of the Post and Telegraph Department is increasing, that every part will be usefully occupied.

A dividend of three shillings has boen declared by the Masterton motor cars started from the ■ Park gates this afternoon for Martinborough. One was driven by a lady, -Mrs Norman Beetham. The pay-night of the Workmen's Friend Building Society will be held ■on Tuesday nest, on account of Monday being a holiday.

Two first offending inebriates, who Appeared before Mr Eli Smith, J.P., •at Masterton Police Court to-day, "were each fined 5s with the usual alternatives.

A team from the Masterton Bowling 'Club leaves by the 7 a.m. train on Monday for the Lower Hutt to play a match with the local Club. Other members wishing to go are requested to give their names to the Secretary.

" A number of the largest local brick Ibusiuess premises in Queen-street are jreceiviug coats of paint, which will ;add considerably to the attractive of Queen-street. The Post 'Office could do with a little external Jftwovation. of Monday's Post Office ■holiday regulations, as regards hours ■of attendance, a memorable sermon by

the Bishop of London, oupage 6; proposed new legislation in regard to the better protection of infant life on page 3; turf notes on page i; the Quail Island lepor on page 2. Advice has been received by the Tourist Department from the Chief *Gnide, who has just inspected the overland route from Lake Te Auau to Milford Sound, that owing to the remarkably dry winter all portions of ;the route are in capital order, particnlarlv the passes. The snow was •confined principally to the high mountains during the winter, leaving the route in a better condition for traffic than for several seasons past. An inquest was held at Waimate -concerning the death of the young man Percy Beard, who was picked up nuconscious in the river-bed at

Waihao, in the Timaru district, on

Wednesday morning, and died a few ( hours later. The evidence showed that deceased had been thrown from

a young horse which he was riding, .and that the base of the scull was by a kick or a fall. A verof accidental death was returned. It was mentioned iv the Wairarapa Daily Times last week that a company with considerable capital was likely to establish dry wool scouring works in Mastertou, where most of the wool of the district would be treated by the process, which is entirely new. This company has secured au option over an acre "of Trust Land at Kuripuni, near the railway statiou, and if the laud is taken the works will be established on an elaborate basis. Other works are to be established by the same company in different.parts of the colouv.

Unless more interest is taken iv the affairs of the Wairarapa Athletic Association by members that body will soon be nou-existeut. A meeting called recently lapsed for waut of a quorum, aud another is to be called shortly. It will be a matter for regret if amateur athletics are to suffer for waut of sufficient enthusiasm among athletes to attend a meeting. Last sports held by the Association attracted some good outside competition, aud Mastertou was visited by some of the best runners aud walkers iv the colony.

4 competent dressmaker is required v advertiser. - W. H. Cruickshauk lias several houses to ! et in good localities, rang, iug from four to niue rooms. A sectiou of laud near the Railway Station, with one hundred and three •Jinks frontage to George-street, is advertised for sale.

A special show of sweets for children is being made to-day by Mr H. F. Fraser. The display is au attractive oue.

Breeders are reminded that the wellkuowu stallion Brilliant Boy is to travel this seasou iv the Wairarapa district.

Tenders are invited by Mr C. C. Jackson, of Kopuaranga, to close on the 13th inst., for ploughing and harrowing 10 acres of land. A choice selection of suitings and trouserings has just been opened up by Messrs Uicol and Co. Style, quality and fit are the three points the firm always strive to maintain. A new five-roomed house, with all conveniences, in the new extension of Cole-street, is advertised for sale or to let, on account of the owner leaving Masterton.

MrP. R. Wilkins, builder and contnSßt. has a special announcement in us in ess directory column on page lof this issue. Mr Wilkius has recently completed several first-class residences in Masterton to the utmost satisfaction of clients. All work is guaranteed. The great removal sale at the Wairarapa Furnishing Company's is to continue for fourteen days longer only. In order to avoid removal of stock, all profits have beeu suspended. In an .advertisement appearing on page -4 of this issue a few of the bargain prices are quoted. Mr E. McEwen, the old-established

blacksmith and farrier, notifies the ipubhc of Masterton and district that shis shop has beeu removed to a site in Dixou-street, next to the Church of England, where old and new clients will be welcomed.

It is announced by advertisement on page 8 of this issue that on 11th December Messrs Harcourt and Co. will sell by public auction a number of valuable building and suburban sites in and around the important and rapidly-growing town of Martou. Full particulars will be announced later.

Mr O. M. Blake, touring representative for the Wellington Piano Comat present in town making arraißhnents for al4 clays' gigantic sale in pianos and organs, winch commences on Monday. Messrs McLeod and Youug, the local agents, have a large stock to choose from, so those requiring pianos cannot do better than inspect this new shipment before purchasing. Mr J. R. Nicol advertises in this issue a three days' sale of drapery, clothing, etc., on behalf of the British Woollen Company. As the whole of the stock will be sold absolutely without reserve, this should present a good opportunity for securing some good lines at reasonable , prices. Full particulars will appear in our Tuesday's issue. Eighty-two degrees was the temperature registered in the shade on Wedlast. This intense heat is considering the time of ■the year, aud, naturally enough, the youug grass on lawns will quickly wither unless something is done regularly to water the tender shoots. Mr •0. fi. Daniell has just received some of feet of rubber hose, and special attention to the .armoured, selling at 7>£d per foot. A fine range of Carpets is now being tshown at the Furnishing Dept., W.F.C.A.* If you want a good egg preservative try "Waterglase, a scientific preparation, which forms a thin coating of glass round the egg, in which state it will keep for months. Sold by H. T. Wood in bottles 6d and Is. , * A splendid display of English and French millinery is now being made at Hooper's The new season's novelties are of the -choicest description, and ladies are invited to call and inspect them; everything is new and of first choice, in fact the pick from «,< thousands of Parisian and English trimmed A " models. Hcnper and Co.*

Heavy rains fell towards the coast this forenoon, and a person who reached Maaterton was completely soaked through. He described the downpour as almost torrential.

A considerable number of Masterton people left to-day for the Taratahi races, the town this morning being crowded with vehicles making a temporary stop en route to the course.

That costly and ruthless scourge, the strawberry blight, has made its customary appearance in the orchard of Mr J. O. Alpass, of Masterton. A promising crop of nearly half-au-acre lias been devastated.

A visit of inspection was paid to the local Stock Office by Mr R. Evett, Office Inspector for the Department, on Thursday aud Friday. He continned his tour of inspection northwards yesterday.

A meeting of Court Loyal Enterprise, Ancient Order of Forosters, was hold last night, Bro. A. W. Chapman, C.R., presiding. Correspondence aud other routiuo business was dealt with. One new member was elected to membership aud one proposed.

It, is probable that a commencement will bo made in a few days with the work of re-forming Queen-stroot under the street loan proposals. A strip botweou the Post Office corner and Baunister-street corner was agreed by a resolution of the Council some weeks ago to be experimented with first.

The Masterton Orchestral Society will hold their final concert of the present season on Tuesday, 10th inst. The programmo to be rendered is a well-seloctod one. The Society are in communication with two of the most prominent singers in Wellington to supply the vocal items for the concert.

A Customs Officer visited Masterton receutly iv couuectiou with the remitted" duty on the Borough gasmotors, reference to which has already been made iv our columns. The officer satisfied himself that the meters wore still in the possession of the Council, and the remission of the duty will follow in due course.

The painting of the facade of the Town Hall lias now been completed, and the fine appearance of the building has been greatly enhanced by the renovation. The colour is a firm stone tint, the sashes of the windows being picked out in dark greeu, aud the wiudows themselves re-frosted. Messrs W. H. Cole and Sous carried out the work.

The certificates earned at the Ambulance examinations held recently are to be presented at a combined meeting of the ladies' aud men's divisions of St. John's Ambulance Association to beheld iv the course of a week or so, wheu other important matters will be dealt with. The new wagogn is due in Masterton uext month.

As we go to press an Association message reached us statiug that general orders were issued to-day notifying that manoeuvres extending over four days, from 17th to 20th April, will bo held iv each military district of New Zealand at Easter of next year. The operations are to be continuous, and will embrace all arms and fixed camps are to be set up.

Masterton gardens are repleudeut this year in some beautiful roses, aud particularly cream varieties. Some especially fine blooms of the climbing Devoniensis are to be seen on a tree in Mr A. Hathaway's gardeu in Cole-street, which is a mass of yellow buds of an excellent button-hole size. This spriug has evidenced the fact that horticulture has greatly increased in popularity.

Cougregationalists are making strong efforts locally to. band themselves iuto a coucrete body, with the object of establishing permanent church services, aud for the ultimate erection of a church building. The Rev.. J. Reed Glassou, of Wellington, oue of the nnsfc popular aud powerful preachers in New Zealand, is at preseut in Masterton, aud to-morrow will deliver sermons at the services to be held in the V.M.C.A. Rooms.

Wheu driving iv a sulky from Ruatangata to Whaugarei yesterday, Mrs J. B. M'Millau failed to Dotice tlie approach of the mid-day upcon utry train at Mairtown crossing. The horse refused to move wheu the sulky was nearly over, with the result that a collfsiou occurred. The impact from the engine turned the vehicle , and horse completely over. Mrs M'Millau had a marvellous escape from serious injury, being completely covered by the wrecked sulky. The horse also got off uninjured.

Two young Japanese were charged at the Auckland Police Court, yesterday, with deserting a British ship at Hobart. They submitted a written statement, which had been translated into English, setting out that they were Japauese students who had set out from Japan to make themselves acquainted with that grand and honourable Euglish nation, the rulers of the world. They asked that they should not be compelled to return to their ship with an "uuhouourable face," for they would have no other method than death as Japanese. The case was adjourned to procure an interpreter.

Agriculture is uofc always profitable, fudging by the remarks of a local farmer to a Wairarapa Daily Times reporter to-day. He was commenting on the fact that wool-growers were making all the money, while the fattener was finding it no good thing to always put in rape and turnip. Asked to explaiu, he said, "I turned over seven and a-half acres this season for rape, and the cost was exactly £23. Labour swallowed up £15, and seed, etc., £8." "What return do you expect?" queried the reporter. "Oh, about £15 or £16." This farmer, who resides on Upper Plain, said it was a favour to get a rnau to do the work of cultivation at all. "In fact," he concluded, "there's nothing in ifc."

The following new rule under the Bankruptcy Act is to come into force on the i)th December next: —"Where a debtor is arrested under a warrant issued under section 88 of the Act, he shall be given into the custody of the gaoler or keeper of the prison mentioned in the warrant, who shall produce such debtor before the court as it may from time to time direct, and shall safely keep him until he finds sureties to the satisfaction of the court that he will appear and attend from time to time as the court may order until he is discharged by the court; any books, papers, money, and property belonging to the debtor which may be seized shall forthwith be lodged with the Official Assignee."