JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1076, 15 March 1911, Page 5

JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

(l)y TeleeraDh-SDccial Corrcsponfienl.l Wanganui, March 14. A meeting of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday, when it was decided to make arrangements for a visit to Kaetihi, via Parapara Road. The present intention is to proceed to Kakatalii en Friday, througll to Raetihi on Saturday, meet members'of the Kaetihi Progressive Association on Saturday, and return to town on Sunday. Mr. Hogan, M.P., is endeavouring to arrange for a Minister to go with the party. A serious blaze was narrowly averted at tho Wanganui East Council Room last evening. The meeting was about to commence when a largo Rochester lamp hanging above the Mayor's head broke from its moorings, and descended with a crash, just missing his Worship. Tho fall smashed tlio lamp and liberated the kerosene, which was soon ablaze. For a short time the building appeared to be doomed, and thoro was a hurried exit. However, the foreman saved tho situation with a copious douch of water, and tho council resumed amidst smoke and strong fumes.

The Chamb?r of Commerce declined the offer of ,Mr. Malcolm, M.P., to lecture hero on the. Federation of the Empire, considering that the, ' notice given was too short, and tlr.it anyhow there was not sufficient interest in'tho subject locally to make it worth while.