LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 45, Issue 13752, 3 February 1919, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Au overseas mail will close at the Masterton post office on Thursday, at G. 15 a.m., for Australian States, Ceylon, India, China, Japan, Straits Settlements, South Africa, aud Expeditionary Forces in Egypt. Good bananas are selling at Otaki at IS for Is. Entries are coming in freely for the forthcoming Masterton Show. A number of Masterton residents are at present confined to their homes suffering from sore throats. The Lansdowne School will be reopened to-morrow. The District High School and Side School will not open till next week. Entries lor the Masterton Show will close this evening at 9 o'clock, but late entries will bo received up till Saturday evening next on payment of one shilling per entry for late fee.

To-day is the second anniversary of America's severance of relations with Germany, an event which is held by many authorities to have marked the beginning of the end of the Teutonic Empire.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the stewards of- the Masterton Eacing Club, held on Saturday afternoon, was attended by Messrs C. F. Vallance (chairman), C. J. Bennett, D. B. Carrick, W. Cooper, P. E. Dorset, H. Douglas, J. lorns, D. K. Logan, D. McLachlan, H. Nee, B. O. Smith, W. D. Watson, A. J. Welch and A. B. Yates. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Jensen and Harrison.

A Carterton butcher reduced the price of meat one penny per pound all round, as from Saturday last.

The Railway Department invites tenders for the lease of the refreshment rooms at Masterton for a period of two years. Accounts amounting to £241 14s 8d were passed for payment at the meeting of the stewards of the Masterton Racing Club on Saturday.

The Wairarapa Hospital Board has written thanking the stewards of the Masterton Racing Club for their donation of £110 for the erection of the swing bridge over the Waipoua river.

The body of a patient named Charles Edward Bobbins, who disappeared from the Porirua Mental Hospiital on Saturday, was found yesterday hanging from a tree in a plantation near the hospital.

While under an anaesthetic for the purpose of a minor operation, Adolphus .Robert Devereux, aged nine years and six months, died at his parents' residence at Holniwood road, Wellington, on Saturday afternon. An inquest will be held.

The annual report of the Masterton United Friendly Societies' Dispensary states that the profit and loss account shows a net- profit for the year of £35(5 13s 2d, after deducting £28 Is b"d for depreciation. The Board recommends that a dividend oi 5 per cent be paid to shareholders,, and that the present levy on lodge members'be continued.

Both Desert Gold and Gloaming are now in New Plymouth for the Pifth Taranaki Stakes, to be run at the TaraJiaki Jockey Club's meeting on Thursday. P. with Desert Gold, arrived at ISTew Plymouth on Saturday, and the Ynare was given a great reception, a huge crowd assembling at the station. Gloaming did an easy five furlongs on the track on Saturday morning. 11. Gray has been engaged to ride the mare, and B. Deeley will have the mount on Gloaming. Visitors are already arriving from all parts of the Dominion.

The blight is again in evidence in the walnuts at Akaroa. The pest iirst appears as a black spot, which gradually spreads until the stalk is attacked, when the nut soon tumbles to the ground. From some trees, says a (Jhristchurch paper, the nuts are dropping like leaves in autumn. So far no specific appears to be forthcoming; at least one has not heard of any being tried. This is unfortunate, for there is good money in walnuts at .Is per lb. Some few years ago, Avhe.n the price was about hall: that figure, one line'tree in the town produced no less than £14 worth of nuts.' At the present price, a score or two of such trues, blight free, would return quite a substantial income.

A sea-going fireman named Knriou -Mayberry, oil London, at present working in a Tyne shipyard, is the victim of a new type of German brutality at sea. When his ship was torpedoed he was taken aboard the submarine and ordered to go on his Juices and curse England. When he refused, the submarine commander threatened to compel him to drink his own blood. Mayberry was then trussed up and two German sailors tattoed two large serpents-' heads on each cheek down to the shoulders in red and blue ink with, an electric needle. The commander then said the serpents would devour him if he went to sea again. He and his companions were then set adrift in an open boat, and were without food for three days before being rescued.

Many operations for appendicitis .-ire unnecessary, says Dr. Yeisuku Matsvioko (au eminent Japanese medico j. One hundred and twenty-six were dissected — -10U had been removed by operations, the others were L'rom post-mortems. About, onc-haJl.'oori r the first group slimre<l that the patient hud been inl ! oi-u:d with worms. The large number oi' specimens from a certain Continental clinic showed that nearly half of the operations had ben unnecessary —73.7 of the appendixes were normal. Many of the normal organs contained worms, and the presence of the worms is supposed to have produced the pain diagnosed as chronic appendicitis. In such cases medical treatment would have disposed of the parasites without resort to surgery. The mistakes were clneily in the cases oJ: women patients.

The Inst has not yet been heard of liio Kolburii raid case, which aroused so ninth interest about a year ago. A petition Ims been, sent to the A<:;:ngJ'riiiso ..Minister, bearing the names of sonic vrell-kiiowu citizens, setting foifh that the signatories "view with grave apprehension and much astonishment" the final decision in the ease, and asking Oauinet's attention with a view to an early amendment of the law to obviate further cause of complaint. "We take it," say the petitioners, "that as matters stand it would appear that our young people may now look for little help or sympathy from the law.'-" Owing to the epidemic and the holidays, nothing further has been done so far, but a deputation will wait on Sir James Allen on Wednesday afterno nto ascertain his views on the matter. The deputation will be introduced by Mr P. Eraser, M.P.

Just as the old saw declares that truth is stranger than fiction, instances of life's uncertainties, involving the gulf between human motive and\ human action, arc not hard to find (says an Auckland paper). Even the machinery of Court procedure for probing into affairs sometimes fails as a means to the end desired. Recently a civil claim, which aroused some public interest, was heard in the Magistrate's Court, a returned soldier suing for moneys left in the care of his lady friend, who had married another returned man. Much was made on the side of the plaintiff as to the callous conduct of the woman, who, it was insinuated, in addition to having failed to account for moneys left in her keeping, had unwarrantedly broken off her engagement. In dfeenee she wholly denied the impeachment, and said the aggrieved one had given her authority to use his money while she was ill. Judgment was for plaintiff, who subsequently succumbed to an operation in hospital. The young woman referred to was amazed to receive the other day intimation from the Public Trustee, advising her that the deceased had made her sole beneficiary of his will.

Wood's Corn Solvent, a very valuable remedy for removal of corns, warts and bunions. 'Price, Is. H. T. Wood, Pharmacist and Chemist (by exam.), Magterton. *

•' When opening a packet of toasted I Gold Pouch tobacco, , ' said an enthusiastic smoker of the N.Z. weed the other day, "I found it rather dry, so 1 decided to experiment a little after my own style. I added an ounce of water (about an egg cup full), and aJlowed the tobaece to soak. It became quite soft and pliable after a while, just the condition I liko tobacco in. And when I tried it in the pipe I fancied that the aroma had improved, b'lt what was more interesting to me, the tobacco did not burn away so quickly. By adding 1 oz. of water I had increased the weight to 3ozs, which cost me Is only, and besides, the tobacco now lasts twice as long in the pipe." This hint will most likely induce many smokers to try the experiment. •

The monthly meeting of the Women's Christian Temperance Union wil 1 - be held in Knox Hall on Tuesday next, February 4th, at 3 p.m. Bueiness important. Annual election of officers

Racing is booming in Johannesburg. For the recent four days , meeting of the Johannesburg T.C., the added money was £13,375, which was £3225 more than last year. The principal handicap carried £2000.

Allegations that fruit packed in cases was frequently under the weight marked, and that the best fruit was often packed on top, were made at a recent meeting of the Auckland Eetail Fruiterers' Association. It was stated that both practices were increasing yearly, and it was eventually decided to ask the Government to giye fruit inspectors power to inspect weights and the packing of fruit.

At the sales of Shorthorn cattle in Scotland last year, 1662 head—the largest number on record —were disposed of at public auction for £229,277s 65,----giving an average of £137 19s. At the spring sales 1010 cattle were sold for £106,367 19s, or an average of £105 6s •id, while at the autumn sales, recently completed, 652 Shorthorns realised £122,909 7s, the average being £188 10s 2d.

At last the lit men of the Main Body are coming home. The transport Hororata should have leit England yesterday with the first draft of New Zealand fit men on board, and so far as possible they will all be men of the 1914-15 drafts. It may happen that there will be some sick and wounded men on the ship, but it is considered that this is a draft of fit men, most of the men being fit and well at the time of embarkation.

The transport Oxfordshire, which arrived in Auckland yesterday, was the iirst hospital ship taken over by the Admiralty. She was engaged continuously as such, and was at Anzac, Cape Holies, Salonika, the Persian Gulf, and South African ports to February of 1918. During this period she had many encounters with submarines, frequently being fired on and escaping scatheless. She made four voyages from America as a transport, carrying American troops to Europe.

Says the Auckland Herald: —"There is a place in the Dominion for a Minister who will grapple energetically with the problems of reconstruction, repatriation, land settlement and immigration, and who will lead Cabinet to the consideration of railway and road construction, and the scientific development of the country's natural resources. Sir Joseph Ward need not lack*for work. If he is not required iv Paris he will find plenty of urgent business in New Zealand to engage his attention till Parliament meets.

Two of the influenza "contacts" from the steamer , Niagara, Mrs Smart, of Suva, and Miss D. Mcintosh, a passenger to Auckland, have developed the complaint in a mild form, since being isolated on Motuini Island. The original patient, Mr Smart, of Suva, is reported to be improving. No special precautions appear to have been taken in the course of the examination of those on board believed to be unaffected, upon the arrival of the vessel on Saturday. Passengers state that no temperatures were taken, and, in fact, the examination consisted simply of the usual "procession' , before the doctor.

A farmer in tin? King Country who was recently visited by a water diviner, discovered il'at right under the inglenook where the big armchair stands, a big .stream of water iiows. Whenever the farmer sat down after his day's work his rheumatics used to give an extra twinge or two, but this he put down to the exertions of the day. Now, he says, he feels sure it is caused by the stream of water running under whore lie sits. He says that as soon as the labour market adjusts itself he will shift his house to another site, where the water diviner says there arc no underground streams, and where he expects freedom from the pains and aches of his rheumatism. According to returns received from threshing-mill owners throughout the Dominion up to November 30th, stated the Government Statistician, the quantity of wheat threshed during the past season was 6,437,002 bushels. The actual yield of wheat from all holdings or an area of one acre or over (exclusive of those within borough boundaries), as given by farmers in connection with the annual collection of agricultural and pastoral statistics, amounted to 6,807,536 bushels. The difference of 370,534 bushels may be accounted for by some stacks istill unthreshed and by small quantities threshed otherwise than by regular threshing miils for which no threshing returns have been received.

The "Aussies''" have free and easy ways, am! little respect for persons or traditions. Quo oi: the funniest sights in London on Armistice Day was seen in "Whitehall. The lofty equestrian statue of the late Duke of Cambridge will be w membered by many. It stands in Hii' middle of Whitehall, just outside the Horse Guards. It is a big statue, ;iiid the proportions of the horse upon its pedestal send it towering high above the street. But on the horse's back sat two Australian soldiers., and a third had climbed even higher until he sat astride the animal's head —and all three waved Australian Hags to the roaring abyss below, when thousands of demonstrators surging along the highway shouted their joy at this adventure in progress far above their heads.

The fortunes of war are not altogether without their amusing little sidelights, pathetic enough as these may be for the parties concerned (says a Wellington paper). One young lady recently journeyed a considerable distance to Wellington to meet her intended, only to learn, however, on the berthing of the Malta, that the young man had been committed to Somes' Island as a contact with the influenza cases. On Saturday last, by an arrangement made by telephone, she journeyed to Day's Bay in the hope that, by using binoculars, she might catch a glimpse of her soldier, who was to stand sentinel at a certain spot. Sad to relate, the weather on Saturday was not as favourable as it might have been for the success of the scheme of the young people.

The Wanganui Chronicle's Ruatiti correspondent had an opportunity of seeing Mr W. Vella, the world's champion shearer, in action at a station lij Ruatiti, owned by Messrs O 'Neill Bros, of Wanganui. He says: Mr Vella is a member of Mr Skinner's contract party of five, the other members being Messrs Hulena, Swan and Dowling. Tha "drummer" of this party can shear his 270 sheep per day quite comfortably, while Mr Vella, the "ringer," holds the world's record of 347 for a nine-hours' day, he having recently beaten .his previous record of 339. This party arrived at Messrs O'Neill Bros.' shed during the previoug week, and in eight days had shorn well over 10,000 sheep. On one occasion when Mr Vella to be going at top, though not knowing that I was timing him, he dropped tho fleece of a sheep in just 46 seconds from the time he took up his machine till he laid it down again.

A London paper says that the first ticket for the propoeed daily 3i hours' <L London-Paris air service wa3 bought Sir Arthur Stanly, MJP. The fare £15 15s, and the distance about 260 miles. A first-class fare by * rail and steamer used to cost £3.

The average weekly house rent itt. Wellington is 23s 2d. This is exactly 4e 6d a week dearer than Hamilton, which is second on the list of New Zealand towns. The cheapest towns to live in from a house rent point of view of the 25 representative towns listed are Waihi and Alexandra, where the average weekly house rents are 8s 10d and 8s Sd respectively.

There were over fifty men at tb.» V.M.C.A. rooms last evening to welcome Captain (Dr.) Prior, who has spent three and a-half years on active ser-JBJL vice. Short speeches of welcome made by Mr G. it. Sykes, M.P., and \ Mr T. F. Watson. Captain Prior gave an interesting talk on his travels and experiences with the New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli, in Egypt, France and the Koiueland. In Alberta (Canada) there is a lage the houses of which have been couJr structed without nails. These were built by Euthenian immigrants, and are of the typical Buthenian style—long, pitch-roofed, thatched, and wide in the eaves. Even the door, an affair of slender twigs, woven and laced together, swings on home-made hinges, and is latched with a wooden hasp. The floor is of hewn logs unnailed. The roof is a wonderful fabric of poles, and crosswoven wheat straw lOin thick, packed tightly and solidly, and laid with sucis care that it will endure any weather for 20 years.

The matter of special picture shows for school children was introduced &$ the meeting of the Auckland Education Board, when Mr H. W. S. Bang present , * ed a report from a committee set up consider the application of the cineJeF matograph to educational purposes. Mi , King stated that a series of pictures had been secured for experimental, purposes, and would be shown to the committee, head teachers and inspectors atj an Aiickland picture theatre, so that it might be aseertainable whether any edsw cational benefits were likely to from the scheme. If, after this mental showing, the committee decided the innovation was likely to be a good one, the Board could then take up thef matter of acquiring a cinematograph plant of its own.

The Wairarapa Combined Motor% Ltd., require a junior clerk.

An eight-roomed house in Mastertos.

is advertised to let for a few months,

A well built 7-roomed house, with. all conveniences, is advertised for sale,-

A waitress for the Kia Ora tea rooms from 12 noon to 5 p'm. daily is requi/- 4 cd. lM A competent shorthand typiste, knowledge of office routine, is requi;--*'' ed at once.

Mr A. Y. Miller, Bergougnan Tyro Depot, has a o-seater 6-eylinder Oakland car, also a 3-seater Allen ear for sale.

The owner of an aged Polled Angus bull straying on Mr J. A. Tapiin's property, Upper Plain, may have same by paying for advertisement.

A reward is offered for the return of a small plated lever handle off a motor cycle, lost last Friday on fim Upper Plain road. 0$

The Wellington .Meat Company's cm* ployees invite tenders for the sale o£ soft drinks and fruit at their annual picnic, to be held on Friday, February 2Sth.

The organiser of the Chautauqus movement will meet guarantors iv the social hall of the Masterton Municipal Buildings to-morrow evening, at eijrbt o'clock.

Mr W. Saxon-Charls worth, AssovJ, Member of the Society of Civil Engineers, has commenced the practice of hiJ '_± profession in Townsend's Building||B Masterton.

Messrs Cole Bros, have just received a fine stock of new wall-papers, and will be pleased to give estimates for decor» atiug homes. Inspection of the new wall-papers is cordially invited.

Sacrificing pounds for an idea —and the idea is to clear out every garnien* of passing fashion at our great sanimoi' sale, now in full progress. We are determined not to carry over any fashion goods to the next season, and have cut the prices to ensure that end. Your u>portunity is now. See our window &E Manchester values. —The Wairarapn. Farmers' Co-op. Assn., Ltd., Queen street, Masterton. *

Parents who have school books and other innumerable requisites to buy for their children during- the nex ( ; few days will do well to read Messrs MeLeod and Young's scrool opening advertisement. The difficulty in procuring tho nceessary books and stationery required for schools in these days of cost of paper is no easy one, but tiW firm have been able to secure lines needed, and quote these at lowest possible prices. Schools and scholars can be catered for this year, as in other , years, at "The Academy. "