Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1892. THE MUSEUM PROJECT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 7737, 10 June 1892, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 1892. THE MUSEUM PROJECT.

A meeting of all those interested in the establishment of a public Museum in Wanganui, will be held at the Publio Library this evening, when reports will be read from Sir James Hector, F.RS., and the committee appointed to make enquiries aa to the best means of securing the desired end. We take it that few will be found to under- value the educational advantages of a well arranged Museum, containing a large collection of typical speciemens illustrative of paleontology, natural history, minerology, geology, botany, and other kindred subjects. Wo have already very valuable educational establishments located in W anganui, which are fant making their mark, and sending forlh youths of both sexes who will scale the topmost heights of scholastic eminence, and reflect the greatest credit upon the place where they laid the foundation of the superstructure. In a short time these educational advantages are to be still further increased by the opening of a School of Design, under the charge of Mr David Blair, art master, than whom no more competent person could be wished to direct the studies of the pupils. With all these educational advantages there would be a regretable lack, if a good Museum were wanting, as students preparing for different professional careers would be greatly hampered in their studies for want of such an aid to knowledge. What a well stocked reference library is to the general reader, a good Museum is to the student. With respect to Mr Drew's collection, there cannot be a doubt as to its great value, containing as it does many thousand specimens many of which are unique and of great intrinsic value. It has taken its collector over twenty years to get together, and every spare moment during that time to prepare and preserve the magnificent collection of

natural history specimens contained in that collection, which is one that would bring a far larger price than its owner is asking for it here were it offered in any of the great cities of Europp. Mr Drew, howevor, loves his collection too much to wish to allow it to go from Wanganui, where it is his desire that it should remain aud become the foundation of one of the best collections of the kiud in the colony. By retaining it in Wanganui he would be both able and willing to give his services freely towards its proper care and extension, as also to impart any information in connection with the different specimens which studfeuts might from time to time desire. Under these circumstances it is to be hoped that there will be a large attendance at the meeting this evening, and that means will be dovised by which Mr Drew's valuable collection may become the property of the people of Wanganui. If the opportunity is lost now it, in all probability, will be lost for ever, as it is extremely unlikely that anyouo else will be at the trouble and expense of getting together such a collection as now possessed by Mr Drew, which contains unique specimens of great value, o£ which it is very improbable any other collector would be fortunate enough to obtain examples.

Mr W. Kennedy, coal merchant, has now on sale tho ohipmont of coal rocoived by the Charles and Arthur.

Mr Henry's honorarium aa C.J.C. handicoppor has been raised to £20j a year, tho increase dating from January Ist.

A meeting of all interested in acquiring Mr Drew's museum for the town will be hold to-night at 8 o'clock at tho Library.

Tha Hon. Mr Seddon's appointment to the position of Minister of Maiino is Ga/attod.

Mr A. E. Bird (" Sir Lauucelot ") late of tho Referee, has joined the staff of. the Sporting Hoviow.

Mr F. H. Eraser, of Wellington, has been appointed Deputy Inspector of lunatic asylums, hospitals, and licensed houses throughout tho colony.

Mr W. Johnttone, representative for Messrs Algar and Cowlam, tailors of Wellington, is at prosont in Wanganui taking orders.

Tho Marlboroiißh Prese says tint Pictcn is the "Livorpool of the South." This remark is callod for by the fact that one day last week there were four sailing vessols and a freezing hulk in port to-day

Mr S. Powell offered to start for tho Can terbury Jockey Club for i2O a day and travelling allowanco of £10 a day for each meetina, but tho offor was doolined. It is still hoped that somo arrangomont will be nude with Mr Powell.

At a mooting of tho Union Boat Olub last evoning, it was dfcidod to hold the annual ball in the Fire Brigade Hall. It was also decided to make sevoral additions to the Aramoho Shed,

Tho Ruahine Lodge. No. 2178, 8.C., of Woodvilie, has joined the New Zealand constitution. All the lodge* in Hawko's Bay now hold under the Grand Lodgo of New Zealand.

Tho Ringarooma will romain in Wellington harbour till af tor tho opening of Parliament, and will thon probably awaifc tho arrival of Admiral Lord Cbarlos Soott, in tho Orlando, which wi'l come to Wellington in about a fortnight.

Tho Post says that an information for perjury is being laid against Bagqott by the Audit Department, end that it has beon ascertained that Whyte has converted sorip at otlior land offices in the colony, whioh will be made tho subject of a prosecution.

Lord She/Held states that the reception accorded to tho English orieketfrs taken to Australia by him was unparalloled 'in its oplendour, oxtont and continuity, and ho hopes that England will extend a similar welcome to the next colonial team visiting England.

Wo (New Zealand Times) understand it is not unlikely that in consequonco of the position of some insutanco oflbos (bblh marine and lifo) doing business in tho colony, but having thoir headquartors outside, all such companies may be subjected to a chango in tho law, in tho direction of inoreasing thoir doposit. Wo hear £10,000 mentioned ai tho amount of cash thoy may have to deposit with tho Public Trustee at 4 por eev.t.

A commission appointing Earl Glasgow Governor of Now Zoaland appears in lnst night's Gazette, as also does the appointment of Colonel P. Boyle, late of the Grenadier Guards, to bo his Excellonov's privato secretary, and Mr Goo. Mourioe Gillington to be his assistant private nocrotary. Boginald Stanley Hunter Blair, Captain of tho Gordon Highlanders, and Edmond Franois Clayton, Lieutenant of the Scots Guards, aro to be his Excellency 1 !! aides-de-oamp.

Mr Hatrick desires us to say that he regrets he was not present this uftornoon when the decision of the Makirikiri Lioensing Committee was given in the matter of tho packet license for the river steamer Wairere, aj it was his intention to have stated that in future he did not propose to allow the sale of liquor on board the boat on short Sunday afternoon excursions. In doing so, Mr Halriok wishes it to be understood that he is not actuated in any way by the arbitrary action or attempted dictation of the Wanganui Licensing Committee, but purely on conscientious grounds. We are sorry to hear that Mr Albert Barns, th c well-known " knight of tho hammer" has beon confined to his bed for some days past by illness. His son, Mr Ernest Barns, wioldod tho hammer at the Campbell Town yards on Wednesday and though it was his maiden effort proved himsolf " to the manner born" getting thrcugb the business in a thoroughly efficient manner. He also acted as auctioneer at the sale of Mr A. A. Browne's furniture getting through his tisk at the rate of 70 lota per hour, at the same time doing his own olorical work. It is therefore ovident that in his son Ernest Mr Albert Barns has a firstclass man of business with whose stoady progress his many friends nro greatly pleased. We are glad to learn that Mr Albert Bams is muoh better to-day and hopes to bo about again very shortly.

The fourth anniversary of the establishment of the Sunbeam Division of tho Sons and Daughters of Temperanco in Wanganui was celebrated last evening in the Woslnyan Schoolroom Dy a tea and entertainment. The schoolroom was comfortably filled, and the tables, which were well arranged with appetising dainties and decoratod with flowers, were presided over by the following ladies : - Mrs Ferguson Miss Ellis, Mrs G. Hioks, Mrs W. B. Randall and Miss Dußtin, Mis* Townsend and Miss Marthal', Miss Clayton, Mra Arthur, Mrs J. Jones, Miss Peaohey, and 4frs F. W. Jones. The first part of the meeting concluded, tho tables were cleared and at 8 o'clock the entertainment commenced, Mi Bassott occupying the chair. The report presonted by the secretary (Mr Edmeades) 3howcd the Society to be in aflouiishing condition, 26 new members having joined during the year, making a total of 58 benefit and honorary mombers good on the books. Between £80 and £40 had been paid in benefits to roomboraduring the year, but th» sick and funeral donations being guaranteed by the Grand Division of New Zealand and the National Division of Australasia, with an accumulated fund of £ 35.0CW, there wai nq danger of tho Sons I and Daughters of Temperance Societies collapsing for want of funds. The following via tno piogrammo submitted : -Piunoforte solo, Miss jßassettj part song, "Gallant Hearts," c^oir; address, chairman iMr Bassett) ; song, " Saved by a Child," Mrs F, W Jones ; address, Sev. C. H. Garland ; part song, "Chewy Ripe," choir; song' "' The Toilers,*' Mr Aitken j Soni?, Jlr Keen ; address, Mr R. Tucker; recitltion, 'The Resolve," Miss Clayton; address, Mr G. Canon ; " glee, " Where art tbou Beam of Light; recilation, " The Druakard's Child," Mr F. W. Jones. Tho choir was under thd able conductorship of Mr G. Randal, and Miss Bassett played the aceorapammonts efficiently. The meeting, which was highly enthusiastic, concluded jtiat before 10 o'clock, after rotes of thanks had been paised to all who had assisted.