WELLINGTON.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3566, 13 December 1882, Page 3

WELLINGTON.

December 13. Two children named George and William Ridgard, the sons of a fireman, were drowned in tbe Upper Hutt river yesterday evening while bathing. The youngest boy got beyond his depth, and his brother tried to save him, but, being unable to swim, both were drowned. The bodies have been recovered.

The stewards of the Wellington Racing Club and a number of other gentlemen interested in horse racing visited Island Bay on Monday, to inspect the land there and to ascertain if a suitable racecourse could be obtained. It was shown that a suitable courc.3 could be obtained there, which would be approached by means of Adelaide-road, and would include the area which was utilised as a course the other Saturday by the Island Bay Racing Club. The proposed course covers an area of about thirty-five acres of level land, which would afford a running track eliptical in shape of about a mile and a distance, though by taking in an adjoining section on the south a longer course could be obtained. It is understood that the owners of the land are willing to part with the freehold at a cost which may be agreed upon in the event of a decision to purchase it, and the course at the Hutt will then be abandoned. It is computed that, together with the cost of erecting a grand stand, stables, &c, and putting the cour. 3 in proper condition for racing, the total expense will „monnt to £12,000 or £13,000. The project will be fully discussed at the next meeting of the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club, and should it be favorably entertained a definite plan will doubtless be submitted for raising the requisite capital. The preparation of a new course may then be immediately proceeded with, to get it in order in plenty of time for the next spring meeting.

The Hon. Mr Dick has received a telegram from Mrs Bernard Moore stating that the appointment as head of the nursery staff in the Wellington hospital had been accepted by that lady.

Mr W. H. Levin, the member for Thorndon, addressed his constituents last evening, about four hundred being present. At the conclusion be received a unanimous vote of confidence and thanks.