LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 8941, 16 December 1907, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The following is the latest dredging return:—Antonio Flat, 250z lOdwt for 120 hours.

The Masterton Municipal Band gave au enjoyable recital in the Park rotunda, yesterday afternoon, to a large attendance of the public.

A canvass for special subscriptions in aid of the Show was taken up in the room at the meeting of the General Comittee of the Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday afternoon, when the handsome sum of £49 13s was collected.

At the meeting of the General Committee of the A. and P. Association on Saturday afternoon a letter was received from the Wanganui Agricultural Association, stating that the horses Scout and Spider had been disqualified during the pleasure of the Association, aud asking the Masterton Association to endorse the disqualifications. The Committee resolved to hold the matter over pending further details being received.

Although Masterton is just about as dry at present as a newly-baked brick and the farmers are beginning to sing out that their grain will be sun-dried before it is ripe, the rain on Saturday morning in the Eketahuna County was coming down in torrents. Where the country is high and some bush still remains on the hills the supply of rain this season has been almost over abundant. In Mastertou and the Wairarapa a drought seems to be threatened, while to the north in the Forty Mile Bush they are experiencing a periodical deluge.

The winner of the first short story competition, instituted by the "Lone Hand" Magazine, was Miss Dulcie Deamer, "The Pines," Featherston, Wairarapa. She received £30 for a story three thousand words in length. Miss Deamer is not yet 17 years old. Her story, which will be published in the January number of the "Lone Hand" is not only strong in idea but admirable in execution. Miss Deamer is a remarkable instance of literary precocity and another proof of the very remarkable growth among young Maorilanders.

Some interesting games were played ou the Bowling Green on Saturday afternoon. Following are the detailed scores:—Mcintosh, Prentice. Pragnell, Cameron (skip), 18, beat Pyke, Blinkborne, E. McEwen, McEwen (skip), 14; Bartlett, Pyke, Bliukhorne, Yates (skip), 2(5, beat Robiesou, Hunter, Ewiugtou, Hunter (skip), 6; A. McEwen, Moss, Johnson, Prentice (skip), 18, beat Smith, Mcintosh, McEwen, W. Pragnell (skip), 10; O. Praguell, and Bartlett, 21. beat Ewiugtou and Robiesou, li); Hunter and Coradine, 21, beat Johnson and Yates, 20; Dixon aud Beale, 17, beat Buttrey and Haughey, 10; McEwen, 20, beat W. Praguell, 18.

Miss Jessie Campbell, Wanganui, wrote to the Mastertou A. aud P. Association recently ottering a special prize, -for the next Show, of £2 2s, for the best lady rider under eighteen years of age, in reform dress, who has never won a prize in the Show ring in riding competitions. Competitors are to walk, trot and canter their horses over a given course, and may be called upon to jump a hurdle not more than 3 feet 6 inches iv height. The prize was accepted with thanks, but it was resolved to ask Miss Campbell to delete the condition regarding jumping, it being thought that it would have the effect of reducing the number of entries.

Mr J. R. Blair, Chairmau of the Wellington School Commissouers and Mr Wardrop, secretary, visited Mastertou on Friday and Saturday for the purpose of looking over some of the Education Reserves. In the course of their inspection they were accompanied by Mr Hogg, M.P., who took occasiou to invite their attention to the improvements that are being carried out ou the laud recently acquired for the extension of the Public Park. After viewing the artificial lake with its facilities for swimming and all kinds of aquatic amusements Mr Blair expressed himself greatly pleased at the use to which the reserve is being devoted.

Shortly after one o'clock on Saturday, an alarm of fire was sounded on the Greytown firebell, the cause being an outbreak in the printing office of the Wairarapa Standard, at Greytown. The Brigade promptly turned out, and, plenty of water being available, managed to keep the flames within the building, although a stiff wind was blowing at the time. No one was in the building at the time, the outbreak being discovered by a couple of passers-by, who gave the alarm. A small portion of the goods was rescued, including the safe, but all the machinery is damaged more or less by fire and water. There is an insurance, but the exact loss is not yet obtainable. The paper is being printed at the Wairarapa Daily News office, Carterton, uutil temporary premises are obtained. Mr Hirschberg, of Masterton, is the owner of the building, which is covered with an insurance of £200, and there is a policy of £500 on the contents.—South Wairarapa correspondent.

Thos. Tracey appeared at the Police Court, to-day, before Mr W. P. James, S.M., charged with behaving in a manner likely to cause a breach of tire peace in Queen-street, Masterton, on Saturday night. Defendant was represented by Mr C. A. Pownall, who admitted that a row had occurred, and his client had fought in it, but that the other parties to the fight were equally liable and were really the cause of the disturbance, but had not been arrested. Constable Kyle deposed that he saw accused at the time of the disturbance "looking for fight" outside the Central Hotel, and a man named Cullen was holding him back. This was the only evidence for the prosecution. Harry Cullen, a cook, and George Groombridge, barman at the Central Hotel, deposed that a fracas had occurred, and that Tracey had been sworn at by another man and afterwards knocked over by the latter. Tracey, who described himself as a farm hand, also gave evidence on his own behalf, in which he stated that "a bit of an argument" had started a row which did not amount to much. The case was dismissed.

It is an acknowledged fact that music soothes the troubled mind. The business man, going home after his daily worry, is refreshed and made happy when sitting in his drawing-room and enjoying the sweet music wnich his daughter is playing. The man who has been toiling hard all day, and is weary in body, can sit down and revel in the sweet strains which proceed from the piano. But a good piano must be used. If any of our readers are doubtful as to .what piano they should have in their home, we would refer them to the excellent stock of pianos Ohas. Begg and Co., Ltd., have on view in Queen-street. This old established firm stocks only the most reliable makes, and any of their instruments may be obtained for cash or on easy terms. Call and inspect.*

The shade temperature in Masterton at noon to-day was the highest yet recorded this summer,the thermometer registering 87deg. Fahr in the'shade.

The ill-fated barque page 2, Saturday Cricket Note|Bjb y page 3, The Modern Criminal £nd Items of Interest on page 6, and Thursday Cricket Notes on page 7.

Three first offending inebriates appeared at the Police Court at Masterton, to-day. One, who wasljbailed out yesterday, was fined ss, in default twenty-four "hours hard labour, the other two being convicted and discharged, as they had been locked up since Saturday night, "it has been definitely decided to fix upon the 28rd and 24th insts. as the dates for the cricket match between a West Coast eleven and the Wairarapa rep. team. At a meeting of the Association to-night, details of the match with the Wednesday reps, will be arranged.

Extensive additions to the premises of Messrs Townsend and Cowper. saddlers, have just been completed. Owing to the largely increasing business more room was found necessary. The front shop has been doubled in size, and a commodious workshop builifet the rear. In a few days the firm iRI be opening up a large importation 'of saddlery and harness of all descriptions.

The laughing success, "Dr Bill," will be played at the Towu Hall on Boxing Night by the Wellington Dramatic Society, who have lately concluded a successful season at the Opera House. Masterton theatre-goers should not miss seeing this production. The season will be limited to one night only. Full particulars will be announced in Thursday's issue.

The racehorse Valima, recently purchased by Mr V. O'Neill, and running in a paddock near Masterton, was attacked with a serious illness on Saturday morning. The mare was attended by a veterinary surgeon, and after measures of a very severe character were adopted, the animal, which is valued at £160, was sufficiently relieved by yesterday to be able to take light walking exercise.

The services at the Salvation Army Barracks, yesterday morning, were of a special nature to celebrate the "Young People's Anniversary," a number of appropriate anthems beinji rendered by the children. The ance was large. The services wuP be continued this evening, when the prizes won during the past year will be presented to the successful competitors. A special musical programme will also be given.

The Registrar of the District Court (Mr E. Rawson) held a special sitting in bankruptcy on Saturday last, when Mr J. W. Card, solicitor for the petitioning creditors, Messrs , Pain and Kershaw and the executors of G. Toogood, deceased, moved for leave to withdraw a recent petition in bankruptcy recently filed against Dugald McLeay, of Dyer Settlement, farmer. Mr B. J. Dolau appeared for the debtor. The motion was granted and the petition was withdrawn accordingly.

At a meeting of the Masterton Pipe Band on Saturday evening, at which Mr T. Pickett presided. It was pointed out that Mr W. C. Buchanan had offered to provide a complete set of uniforms for the band on condition that the baud co-operated with the Caledonian Society, and after discussion it was decided that Messrs A. Turner, R. Gray. J. H. Pauling aud J. B. McKeuzie, members of the Caledonian Society, should be added to the band's directorate in with Mr Buchanan's wishes, a rule be framed preventing any possibili\ of the band coming under the control of auy society whatever.

A youug mau named Charles Leckie pleaded not guilty to a charge of being an idle and disorderly person without lawful means of support, when brought before Mr W. P. James, S.M., at Mastertou, to-day. Constable Kyle stated in evidence that accused had been knocking about Masterton since the 12th inst., and had been ordered to "move on" on Saturday night, when leaning against the Central Hotel. He had been frequenting the streets of the town from early morning until late at night, consorting with drunken men who were strangers to him. Constable Doggett said he was called by the licensee of the Central Hotel on Saturday afternoon to order accused out of the hotel, as lie was "spongiug" on customers. Sergeaut Miller said nothing was previously known against accused, although he gave various names on being questioned. Accused made a statement that he was working right up to Thursday last, and asked for a chance to get away to work. The Benchjfc ordered accused to come up for tence when called upon.

Two small rooms, unfurnished, are advertised for. A reward is offered for a lost black and tan collie pup. A smart boy for an office is required by an advertiser. A reward is offered for the return of a black and white collie pup. Mr J. R. Nicol advertises a line of potatoes for sale at 4s aDd 3s per sack. A young man, experienced with farm work, requires employment. A fruiterer's business is advertised to lease or for sale in our wanted column. A duchesse washstaud, couch, etc., is advertised for sale in our wanted column An advertiser requires board and residence in a private family at Lansdowne or Masterton. A good steady man who understands agricultural implements is required by an advertiser in our Wanted Column. A large consignment of Gladstone bags has just been opened up by. Mr Jas. Elliott. Also a few sets of black and brown pony harness.

The dentists of Masterton give notice that their rooms will be closed from 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 2lst, till 9 a.m. on Monday, January 6th, 1908. Tenders are invited by the Castlepoiut County Council for metalling contracts asigL advertised on page one of this issue, a enders are to close on Saturday next. v

Messrs R. E. Howell and Co., Ltd., are inviting inspection of the splendid selection of furniture and other useful household requisites they have in stock at their Perrystreet Mart.

The' threshing plant of Messrs Chamberlain and Son is to undergo a thorough overhauling to enable it to go out in first-class working order for the coming season. A splendid farm of 2500 acres is advertised by Mr C. 8. Bloore, of Gisborne, on page eight of this issue. Every acre of this property is first class bush land, 2100 acres being in English grasses, carrying 4000 odd sheep and lambs and 150 cattle and horses.

To-day shade temperature in Napier was 81.—-Association.

The New Zealand Rugby team met the Halifax thirteen, the game being played in rain ou a soft ground. Play wan of an uneven nature, but Halifax gJHfed a lead early, and maintained ittlronghout. Tho game resulted as follows:—Halifax, 3 tries, 5) points; New Zealand, 2 goals, 4 points.

At a meeting on Saturday afternoon of the Ladies' Committee who arranged the function for the Hospital opeuiug, the secretary reported that tho nett proceeds had exceeded anticipations, amouutiug to £si), which would mako the total benefit to the Hospital approximate £130. This was considered very satisfactory indeed, and the secretary was instructed to writo and thank the Municipal Baud aud Mr F. J. Huun for the valuable assistance.

The Sacred Concert givon last night at the Town Hall in memory of the late Mr A. E. you Keisouberg attracted a very large audieuco, every seat beiug filled, and mauy porsous haviug to staud. The evening was exceptionally hot, which caused a lady iv tho audience to faiut. The programme opeued with the Hallelujah Chorus. Of the sougs, "De Profu'udis" (Jude), by Mr Iggulden. aud "TmvHoly City" (Adams), by Mr HvuSf, were the best, rendered; aud the accompaniment of the Orchestral Society of the latter selection was very effective. Some slight, defects which were noticeable in a portion of tho programme were doubtless attributable to a great extent to tho sultriness of the atmosphere. It. is always puzzling to au audience as to whether they ought, or ought uot, to applaud sacred music; aud this, no doubt, accounted for some of tha items being received iv silence. Some of the audience were uuappreciative enough to depart duriug the conclusion of the ''Priest's March.'' from '' Athalie" ; a poor compliment to our excellent Orchestral Society—to say nothing of the slur upou Mendelssohn's grand music.