LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXII, Issue 9597, 8 February 1910, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Napier borough solicitors have advised the Mayor that five Councillors, in addition to Mr Thomsou— namely, Messrs Crowley, A. J. Williams, Eagloton, Wilderstrom and K. Boecliam—have rendered their seats vacant by having exceeded the legal limitation in the matter of supplies to the Corporation. Hence the Couucil will be in the remarkable positiou of having no quorum until the vacancies are filled by the process of election.

Tho Masterton Veteran Fire Brigade Association met iv the Ceutral Station last night, Mr J. Prentice presidiug over an attendance of twenty members. Four new members were elected, bringing the membership up to thirtysix. A number of committee reports were held over for future consideration. A card tournament was held at the conclusion, which resulted in a draw with the Fire Brigade.

The Mastertou Oddfellows' Lodge held their fortnightly meeting last evening, Bro. T. Fielchug, N.G., presiding. The balance-sheet for the past half year was submitted, showing a very satisfactory state of affairs. A further sum of £200 was invested iv good security, aud the total worth of the Lodge was shown as £1465. The interest received on invested capital was £76, while tho total sick pay tor the year was only £66. The sum of £8 5s was added to the Management Fund, aud £. to tho Benevolent Fund. A notification was received from the District Secretary that the annual meeting would be held at Petone ou Monday, 21st inst., aud Bros. Reynolds and Fielding were appointed delegates to represent the Masterton Lodge at the meeting. Two new members were admitted aud oue proposed, Bro. W. S. Lett, P.G.M., acting as initiating master.

The thermometer registered lOOdeg, iv the shade at Pihautea, Feathers ton,-on Saturday,

A married mau was killed instantaneously by a fall of stone, ou Monday, at the No. 1 State Mine, Greymouth.

Three oat stacks, the property of Messrs Judd Bros., Manaia, were burnt to the ground yesterday afternoon. The cause of the fire is not known. The value of the stacks is roughly estimated at £100.

Wheu heavy rain wus falling in Masterton yesterday morning, not a drop fell at Featherston. The Lower "Valley country i? badly in need of rain, but nevertheless feed is seen everywhere in abundance.

Wellington papers state that Captain Dalrymple, of the Dominion Scouts, was placed under military arrest on Suuday as the result of a fracas which occurred iv a volunteer encampment at the Lower Hutt iv the early hours of the morning. An inquiry will be held into the affair.

A Press Association message Jstates that at a meeting of coal-miners at Huntly, at which Mr Fulton, president of the Waikato .Miners' Union, presided, a resolution expressing indignation at the imprisonment of the Newcastle strike leaders was passed. It was resolved to send £150 to the distressed miners in Australia.

The Kaipara inquiry was continued at Auoklaud, yesterday, when a fiual and amended set of questions was submitted to the court ou behalf of the Mariue Department. Evidence was given by divers as to the result of inspection of the berth occupied by the vessel .aud also of tho shoal on which she struck.

The members of the Pollard Opera Company were wildly excited last night, and at the conclusion of the performance of "Miss Hook of Holland," when all the "anxiety of the last few weeks had culminated in undoubted success, they gave their enthusiasm vent in hearty cheers.

Palmerstou Ripples (by "Hokioi"), aud Miss Titteirßrune in London, on page 2; Burdens of Wealth, and Dangers of Water, ou page 3; Life in the City, Sporting—Tarauaki acceptances, Bathing Fatality, The Kuyvett Case, Lower Valley and South Wairarapa News, ou page (5; Shower of Gold, aud Objectionable Footwear, on page

The throwing overboard of the damaged mutton from the Kaipara in Raugitoto Channel is believed to be responsible for the presence of some monster sharks in the Hauraki Gulf. The Thames Star reports that last week a shark IS foet long was seen to mako short, work of two carcases of frozen sheep which had floated down to Coromaudel.

Matters iv connection with the_Welliugton Farmers' Meat Co., Ltd., have assumed definite shape. By advertisement appearing on page. 1 of this issue tenders are invited for the erection of the works at Waingawa. Plans may now be seen at the office of the ougiueer and architect, Wellington, or at the office of the secretary (Mr J. Milne), Perry-street. Tenders must reach the secretary not later thau 12 noon ou 28th February.

Messrs Daysli Bros, have threshed a paddock of Algerian oats which has returned a yield of 50 bushels to the acre. When the fact is taken iuto consideration that the crops throughout the district have beeu somewhat light this year, and that the ravages of the caterpillar have been more thau usually bail,the return is a remarkably good one. Despite the fact, that caterpillars have played havoc in some of the adjoining crops, they h»vc not touched this oue.

Some few days ago representatives of the Wellington, Nelson, aud Marlborough Acclimatisation Societies waited ou the Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon. D. Buddo) with refereuce to the 1910 season beiug made a close seasou for native game aud for imported game (other thau deer). They asked that in their districts tho season should be open as far as quail and hares were concerned. The Minister lias now informed the societies that at present ho is not prepared to recommend the Governor to declare any district exempt from the provisions ot tho Act in this respect.

There'appears to he some slight misunderstanding abroad with regard to the proposal ot tiie Shearers' Union that/the A. and P. Association assist in the establishment of a registry office for shearers and others. Mr Abbott states that the intention was not that the offices should be run at the A. and P. Association's offices, but that the A. and P. Association, Farmers' Uuiou aud the Farmers' Meat Co. should be asked to contribute towards the establishment of a separate office that would be uuder his owu super- ■ vision. A list would be kept of all shearers awaiting employment, and all au employer would have to do would be to ring up the office for as mauy men as ho required.

The Alfredton Athletic Club will hold its annual sports meeting ou Thursday, 10th March. A first-class programme has been arranged, and is advertised ou page 1 of this issue. All events are to be conducted and decided under the rules of the New Zealand Athletic Union, and competitors' attention is specially drawn to rule 15 of the constitution aud 13 of regulations, which state that every competitor must bo registered and entry fee paid before competing, otherwise he is liable to disqualification and will not receive any prize money he may win. Nominations for all haudicap events must be made ou Ist March, 1910, with the. secretary, Mr C. Cross, Alfredton.

The General Educational Conference which commences on Thursday will be held in the Pariiamout Buildings, Wellington. Forty-nine delegates have been invited, representing the various branches, of education, and the conference will be presided over by the lusuector-Geueral (Mr G. Hogben). The delegates will be welcomed by the Minister of Education (Hou. G. Fowlds). The conference will last for three days, and the provisional order paper provides for discussion on each half-day of a question referring to the various phases of education—elementary, secondary and higher.

Delegates from the various Friendly Societies, Fire Brigade, Fire Police aud Volunteers, met the Executive Committee of tiie St. John Ambulance District Nurse Fund Bazaar in the Drill Hall last oveuing. After discussion it was resolved to hold a torchlight procession on Friday, 18th, commencing at 7.30 p. m., and to ask all cyclists to take part witli decorated bicycles. It was also decided that all* details in connection witli the procession be left in tho hands of Superiuteudeut Jenkins (Fire Brigade) aud Captain Dixon (Fire Police), with full power to act, aud that the secretary be instructed to procure, if possible, the servicos of the Pipe Band, in addition to the sth Ruahine Battalion Baud, and tho Masterton South Brass Baud. Doorkeepers were arranged as uuder:—Monday, Fire Brigade; Tuesday, Volunteers; Wednesday, Fire Police; Thursday, Fire Brigade; Friday, Friendly Societies; Saturday, Fire Polioe. Five meu in uniform or regalia to be in attendance each night. The delegates further undertook to endeavour to obtain volunteers to assist with the various side-shows.

_v supplementary list of new appointments to the Commission of tha Peace will be published shortly. It will contain a large number of names of persons residing in all parts of tho Dominion. The list has been sent on « to Cabinet for consideration. W-

At the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, Stephen Henry Coburn, manager of the New Zealand Truth, was found guilty of distributing obscene matter. The jury added a recommendation to mercy on account of the short time the accused had been manager, and his previous good character.

An unusual incident in boxing matches was witnessed at the conclusion of the big contest at Hastings last Thursday evening, when Devitt, the winner, "kissed aud embraced Leckie, the defeated man. The explanation was that both men were pals, and Devitt was touched by the severe puuishmeut Leckie had received.

Regulations under the State-Guaran-teed Advances Act will be Gazetted this week. They will refer only to loaus to local bodies, as advances to workers and settlers will be granted as under the old Act. The regulations as to granting loans to local bodies will not differ from those at present in force iv regard to such loaus der the existing Act.

Twenty-seven Europeans employed in the construction of the freezing works at Tokomaru Bay, by Messrs Bull Bros., contractors for the buildings, struck yesterday morning for an increase in wages from eight to nine shillings a day. A number of Natives also employed ou the job failed to turn up. The contractors auticipato no difficulty in finding men.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that, while bathing with smaller children at Kilbirnie last evening, Eric Gibson, aged about twelve years, was drowned. A man named 'Hunt went in and brought the boy out when it was observed that he' was in trouble, hut the lad was then unconscious, and did not recover, although restorative efforts were continued for over two hours.

An information has been laid by the Income Tax Department against the Hon. G. J. Smith, George Bowrou aud William Bowron, of Christchurch, trading as Bowron Bros., for having made wilfully false under the Land aud Income Ta.'A Amendmeut Act for the purpose evading the duty properly payable uuder the Act. "A very large sum is involved. The defendants are liablo on couvlctiou to pay treble duty and a fine of £100. The case will come on for hearing at the Magistrate's Court next Tuesday.

The wheat crops iv tiie Waugauui district have been affected by the wet weather in a similar way to the Southern crops, aud are not expected to turn out as well as usual. Oats are reported to bo suffering from attacks of caterpillars. Though birds are doing great slaughter among the posts, they do not seem able to hold them entirely in check. On the other hand, the weather has been extremely favourable to the dairy industry, grass showing prolific growth. The weather is favourable now for harvesting.

Au infuriated woman named Dolly Keeber created a sceue at the Ceutral Police Court in Sydney. She was charged with being drunk, aud Sergeaut Mackey remarked that siie should be placed under medical examination, as she appeared to be suffering from the effects of repeated intoxication. "Liar," screamed the woman several times.. She over the solicitors' table and up a large inspot, and hurled it at the sergeant. The ink splashed over everything, but the bulk of it struck tiie 'sergeant's white helmet. She was promptly seized, and carried fighting to the cells. Mr J. J. Meikie, whose name has beeu prominently before the public for some years, met with au accident which it is feared will confine him to bed for au indefinite period. On Thursday last he was employed by the New Zealand Shipping Company, in connection with the unloading of the Wakanui at the Taranaki-street Wharf, Wellington, aud was struck ou tiie back by a bar of iron which was coming down m a sling. He was knocked down, and on being examined by Dr Henry it was ascertained that he was bruised and had received a great shaking. He was removed to his home iv Luxford-street. Internal injuries are feared.

In the course of his speech at the opening of the Addiugton School last Thursday, the Minister of Education touched upon the question of insuring school buildings against loss by fire, and said (reports the ton Times) that the matter had com™ up for consideration on many occasions. It must not be thought that the Departmeut was guilty of carelessness in neglecting to insure school buildings. The position was that the losses to the Department through fire over" a period of years had been found to amount to quite one-third- less than the lowest offer which had beeu made to cover the Department's buildings by insurance, aud until some insurance company or companies were prepared to come forward with an offer which was less thau the actual loss, it was manifestly the best policy for the Department to refuse to insure..

To-day's share market quotations appear on page 8.

An advertiser offers a comfortable home to a girl attending school.

'Z Mr J. V. Gordon, chemist, re quires au intelligent boy.

Mr W. Pauling requries a first-class tailoress.

Entries for the Mastertou Ram Fair, to bo held ou February 17th and 18th, are advertised on page S.

A meeting of the Druids' Lodge will be held at 7.30 o'clock this ing. t_

Messrs T. Wagg aud Co. require a labourer with a knowledge of drilling and vyceing.

The postponed meeting of the Mastertou Amateur Theatrical Society will be held at eight o'clock this evening,i n the Exchange Hall. All members are requested to be present.

To-morrow is the last day of Messrs Graham aud Co. 's great drapery sale. The firm will offer special inducements to buyers to-morrow, and bargains will be the order of the day.

A few special lines for men are enumerated by Mr John Heyhce in his advertisement ou page 4. The goods are all new, aud prices have been cut to bedrock.

Mr D. Threadwell, of the Town Hall Boot Mart, states in au advertisement elsewhere that the boots made at his shop fit well, look well, wear well, aud tread well, Mr Threadwell's shop is at 33 Hall-street.