LOCAL & GENERAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 December 1927, Page 4

LOCAL & GENERAL.

Two new members joined the Mas tenon Municipal Band during Novem ber.

The Carterton Borough Council decided last night to add .10 per cent, penalty to all rates unpaid on February 10.

An.early payment of State pensions will be made this month on account of the holidays. Old age and war pen-, sions and family allowances will all bo paid to-morrow. The Masterton Fire Brigade has been granted the free use of the Park Oval on Easter Saturday and Easter Monday, when the district lire brigade demonstrations will be held.

A Press Association message from Auckland states that retail butter prices have been reduced by one penny to Is 7d for first grade, and by two pence to Is 5d for second grade, from to-day.

It was reported to the Borough Council last evening that the cattle stops at the entrances to the Bark have twice been broken down and the posts removed. Other acts of vandalism in the Park include the removal of the ropes from the lifebuoys at the lake.

A Sydney cable states that Sidney Made, who is believed to have recently arrived from New Zealand, was found dead in the city residential area. He had been in ill-health for some time. No suspicion circumstances are attached to his death.

A request from' the Masterton Plunket Society for a grant of £.IOO towards the cost of the now Plunkct Building, which was referred from the last meeting of the Masterton Borough Council to its Finance Committee, came before the Council again last evening when it was decided to hold consideration of the application in abeyance until the end of the financial year.

At the meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening, a letter was received from Mr J. Noble, conductor of the Municipal Band, regarding his resignation, which had been held over. Mr Noble pointed out that his arrangement with Councillor Peacock was to carry on till the end of the calendar year and not the financial year. He personally preferred to be released from his-duties at the end of the year, but if it was helping the Council he was prepared to carry on until March. The council expressed its thanks to Mr Noble for carrying on, and requested him to remain in oflicc until March.

The English newspapers were nim-h interested in the nightingales sent to New Zealand. The Observer remarked: Four nightingales left England on Friday for New Zealand. One recalls the rabbit and the prickly pear and the bramble, and wonders in what way the nightingale can manage to make itself a nuisance. .Will it devastate crops, or take to picking the eyes out of sheep? Will it develop a bass voice in the exhilarating climate, and croak all night till the exasperated Aucklander gets up and throws boots at it? There are so many wrong turnings which it seems possible for things to take in those southern latitudes.

The proposal to take advantage of the offer of Mr L. B. Maunsell to find the money with which to install electric lighting at the Park Oval has been held over by the Borough Council for consideration at some future date. The Mayor stated last evening that the deputation from the sports bodies had asked the Council to pay the interest on the capital cost. This would necessitate a loan or a guarantee and the Council could not commit itself in either direction. The matter had therefore been held over to see if some scheme could be devised whereby the Council could assist. Mr .Jordan added that he was quite willing to assist the sports bodies if it were possible.

An official celebration of the Jubilee of Ashburton County was held yesterday, though the actual date fell on January 4th last. The ceremony took the form of driving a peg to mark the site of a bridge the Council proposes to erect in replacement of the present structure over the Ashburton river, on the main south road. By a happy coincidence, this is practically the spot where the first settler, Mr Richard Turton, established himself as a ferryman and accommodation-house keeper, and where his son, Air ,1. G. Turton, the first European born in the County, was born. Mr J. O. Turton, now a resident of Peel Forest, assisted Mr W. T. Lill, senior member of the Council and chairman of the Works Committee, in driving the peg. Among flu* speakers were the Hon. W. Nosworthy and Messrs 1). Jones and T. D. Burnett, M's.P.

Tn connection with a fire which occurred recently in Masterton when a ear was damaged while replenishing with petrol from a kerbside pump, the Borough Engineer (Mr C. R. Mabson) reported that, according to an opinion of Mr T. F. Martin, solicitor for the Municipal Association, the Borough would be liable for damages had such damage occurred to other persons or property, and recommended that the council should insure itself against such a contingency. When the matter was referred to the Mayor, Mr Jordan stated that the titles between the council and the owners of the kerbside pumps indemnified the council, but according to Mr Martin ’s opinion, if any pump owner was unable to meet a claim by any person suffering damage, the borough would become liable. Mr Jordan intimated that the whole position would be reviewed when the kerbside pump proprietors renewed their applications next year. No cough or cold can live with “NAZOL. ” A sure, safe and speedy method of routing the most stubborn cough. Powerful, penetrating and soothing. 6d doses, 1/6. *

■Splendid general rains are falling in South Australia, and they have greatly enhanced the pastoral and agricultural outlook.

In Great Britain 50,000 men are permanently engaged in catching fish in deep waters, the value of their annual catch reaching £10,000,000. Canterbury lambs are very late this year. In fact; it is stated that the lambs were eight weeks later than in other districts in going to the freezer.

Bight on a woman's Xmas shopping. “Hullo, dearie —.just dropped in to see if you wouldn’t like to go shopping with me.” “Sorry, my dear, but. ! can’t. I simply must buy something to-day.”

A first-offender, who had commenced the Christmas festivities rather early and was arrested in Hall Street yesterday for drunkenness, was this morning fined the amount of his bail, 10/-, by CMr Eli Smith, J.P.

The Masterton Borough Council decided last evening, on the motion of Councillor Fletcher, to call for suitable designs for a coat of arms for the borough. A prize to the \aluc of five guineas is offered tor the winning design.

The Bluff police were advised yesterday afternoon that the body of a man was lloating in the harbour near the wharf. Constables recovered the body. It is believed to be that of a man answering to the names of both Thomas Scott and Muir. An inquest will be held.

All the geysers have beeirvery active at Rotorua recently (states the Auckland Herald). Pohutu, which has not played for about two months, played very high, and was active for a long time. AVaimangu, which plays at rare intervals also gave a splendid display. Waikite, which came into action about two months ago, after being silent for about three years, was also very active, sending up line shots. Two other smaller geysers were also playing, while at Whakarewarewa the whole of the valley was enveloped in clouds of vapour.

The amateur athletes from Wanganui who were in Christchurch a few days ago enjoyed themselves so well that every one of them was reluctant to leave. In fact, the team missed the ordinary boat train and went to. Lythlt on by the express. But of one of the beauties of Christchurch they speak in terms of greatest scorn. They refuse absolutely to regard the Avon as a river. “Clarric Gibbons has got your old Avon in his pocket,” said one derisively, from tlie train. “He took a big -sponge and went and soaked it up.” it appears that they have a river or stream -of sorts near Wanganui; hence the scorn. —Christchurch “fcjun.”

At last night's meeting of the Carterton Borough Council, the balance sheet was received back from the Government Audit Department, certified to as correct, with the exception of one item. This was the payment of accounts amounting to £l2 Ss 3d to Gordon Ilughan, Ltd., which disqualified Mr Ilughan as a councillor in terms of Section 40 (li) of'tlie Municipal Corporations Act, 1920. The law limits the amount to £.lO, and actually the firm, of which Mr .Ilughan is the principal, has only, been paid £9 2s 7d. The firm, however, are agents for an insurance company in which the borough motor truck is insured, and in receiving the premium of £3 us Sd, the 13t.il payment was brought up to £l2 Ss 3d. On 1 Tic motion of the Mayor, seconded by Councillor Churchouse, a res notion was passed expressing the sympathy of the, council to Councillor Ilughan in his position, brought about by a technical breach of the Statutes, and also expressing confidence in him and assuring him of full support for his reelection. Mr Hu glut n, who is an exMayor of the Borough, and at present Deputy-Mayor, will be a candidate for re-election.

Girl wanted. House to let. Capable help wanted. Homing' -pigeon lost. Black currants for sale. Euchre Tournament Caledonian Hall to-night. •Gooseberries and tomatoes for sale at Masterton Nurseries, Whatman Rond. The 8.8. Express Motor Services advertise Xmas holiday time-table on page 1. ' Messrs G. Malmo, Ltd., insert a notice to motorists on page one of this issue. Messrs Vincent and Co., Carterton, insert an advertisement on page one of this issue. The Wairarapa Farmers’ advertise in our wanted columns suggestions for Xmas gifts. The Scoullar Co., Ltd., notify that their Masterton premises will close down on Friday, at SXO p.m., and will re-open on Thursday, January sth. The horse-shoers and blacksmiths of Masterton will close their premises from Saturday, 24th December till Wednesday, 4th January. Ladies are invited to inspect the new display of Christmas frocks and smart race frocks now showing at the (Excelsior Showroom, opposite. Hoar and Pcrmain’s. The assortment includes the latest French and fuji frocks and a big range of furs. Mr H-. L. Esau, Florist, Seed and' Plant Merchant, advertises choice hot house tomatoes and raspberries for sale. The shop will be closed between Christmas and New Year, re-Qpcning on 4th Jan nary. The public is notified by advertisement in this issue the shopping hours to lie observed in Masterton during Xmas arid New Year as agreed upon by the Holidays Committee of the 'Employers’ Association. All shoppers should clip this advertisement out of the paper for reference. Finger-prints cannot be left on •‘TAN-OL” polished furniture. Unsurpassed for floors, furniture and leather goods. Easy to apply. All Groc■rs. *

Ata Ali, formerly the Indian mahout to Jannma, - the elephant in the Auckland Zoo, has been ordered to be deported to India at the end of January. The judges’ vacation in the Supreme Court commenced yesterday. The nextbusiness set down for the Supreme Court will be in the sessions of February. Two eases of pulmonary tuberculosis were notified to the health authorities in Masterton during November and one case of suspected scarlet fever which was subsequently diagnosed as German measles. To date this month one ease of scarlet fever has occurred. “I firmly believe that in a few years Anzac Day will cease to be recognised,” said Mr J'. W. Shaw, speaking on the subject of modern education at a meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations at Auckland. “It is a fact that most people cannot fill in a dav unless amusement is provided for them. Lack of reverence is not responsible; it is just a ' defect in our educational system.”

The following report of the Band Committee for the month of November was submitted to the Borough Council meeting last night:—Practices were hold on the 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, 15th; 17th. 21st, 24th and 29th. .Respective attendances were 37, 16, 11, 16, 10, 16, 12. 18 and 19. 20 members par-f aded at the concert on the evening of Sunday the Gtli. 16 members attended the funeral of Mr AY. friend at Grevtown on Saturday, 12th. 2 new members joined up during the month. An explosion in a stove startled the inmate of a house in Greymouth a few days ago, when it blew the top off the stove and scattered the fuel. The cause was indicated -by a mark made on the wall of the kitchen containing the stove. It was the maik of a bullet. On the floor the bullet was found, and the next discovery was the ease of a .303 cartridge. The incident is another proof that such explosives are not by any means due to detonators used in the mines. How the bullet came to be in the coal is a mystery.r

The officials at the front counter at the Masterton Post Office are having a busy time just now, handling the Christmas traffic. Queues are almost continuously at the counter where the officials are kept hard at v ork handling the matter, whether parcel, mail, or telegraph, with expedition and courtesv. In the money order and savings bank departments the officials arc also kept going “at top,” and here, too, there is quickness of despatch and a desire to help customers in their requirements.

The Sanitary Inspector (Mr T. A. Russell) reported as follows to the Borough Council last night: —“The fees received in November in connection with the heavy traffic amounted to £s9 4s sd. 29 drivers’ licenses were issued, making a total of 1419 to date this year. Inspector McGregor was emploved by the Carterton Boiough Council one day and the Masterton County Council 2 days during November. A good deal of weighing of wool lorries has been carried out and 6 were found to be overloaded. Ihc owners have taken out licenses for the extra weight carried.

To be in a car which somersaulted over a bank about loft deep, and to come out uninjured, was the experience of the six occupants of a Chevrolet car (says the Grey River Argus). The majority of the passengers were females. The car had just left town, and. in passing another car, it struck some loose earth and before anything could be done to avert the accident, the ear had plunged over the bank, turning a complete somersault befoic reaching the bottom, i ortunatcly the car landed on some soft earth, which broke the effects of the fall, and the occupants emerged shaken but unhint. The car was badly damaged.

The librarian (Mrs Cohen) reported as follow to the Borough Council’s library committee:—The following are the figures for the library for the month of November: Books added, fiction 54, travel 4. Books issued, fiction SDSI, travel, etc., 41. Subscribers end of October 704; new subscribers nil; subscribers left during November 2.">; total subscribers end of November GSI; amount spent in books from April 1 to November JO. 1927: Librarian £SO 14/0; committee £ls 1/. Amount spent in books for November, 192-7: Librarian £l3 12/1; committee, nil. Subscriptions collected £1 7/9. A head-on impact on the southern approach to the Waingawa Bridge at 11 o’clock last night resulted in slight structural damage to a five-seat sr car owned by Mr J. J. Ewington, engineer. of Masterton. The car, which was returning to Masterton from the South Wairarapa, was driven by Mr Ewington, who was accompanied by Mr G. Tinkler. Both occupants fortunately escaped injury. The wheel tracks show that the car left the crown of the road on ihe inclined approach to the bridge and in the course of regaining the centre of the track, crashed into the fence on the approach.