WANGANUI.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1061, 30 June 1892, Page 18

WANGANUI.

The week just past has not been noted for excitement of an absorbing nature, somewhat in contra-distinction to the previous one, when licensing matters in particular engaged the attention of all and sundry, owing to the closing of three of the town hotels, and the matter having been thoroughly threshed out. The balance of opinion goes to prove that the action taken by the prohibition members of the committee has been somewhatarbitrary. As an outcome of all this, particularly the ten o’clock closing, rumours are current as to the establishment of a Working Men’s Club, but the matter as yet is in an embryo stage.

On Thursday evening our local Musical and Dramatic Association staged ‘ Hand and Glove/ and the management cannot certainly be complimented on their selection, for the drama is of the old world type—stagey to a degree and only fitted for representation by a professional company, possessing at least two first-class comedians. However, the performers gave a creditable production under the circumstances, and the audience seemed well pleased with the efforts put forth for tin if delectation.

Following on this we have had art exhibition of the phonograph, undjsffißlr George Kelly’s direction, and several'of our residents have immortalised themselves by speaking into the instrument and enjoying the intense gratification of hearing their voices reproduced. On Saturday evening the mechanical talker ‘jibbed/ so to speak, and owing to the battery being out of order the pro* ceedings at half-time was brought to an abrupt conclusion with a graceful apology from the lecturer and a return of tickets. Since then the battery has been renovated, and the last performance took place last evening. The next places to be visited are Patea and Hawera. On Thursday, Friday, and Monday next vvu are to have the great Ovide Musin Concert Company, and according to repoit music lovers may anticipate a great treat. Carl Hertz and his Empire Company visit us previous to this, so that the hill of fare for the week’s entertainment promises to be not only diversifiel but palatable The establishment of a public Museum for Wanganui has met with such hearty and genuine support, ever since the inception of the proj ct, that its success is now placed beyond doubt, and an excellent site has been suggested for the building in Queen's Park. The Science and Art School, too, is now in process of erection, and promises to be a valuable addition to the many * ducational iuatitions > f the town.

The death during the week of young Mr F. McDonell, through ail accident in the football field, was sincerely regretted by numbers of people, with shorn he was a distinct favourite.

At the inquest on the body of the late Mr John Duncan, junior, the jury added a rider to their verdict of accidental death, suggesting that a bridge should be at once placed over the upper ford of the Turakina River, there being no other bridge within 40 or 50 miles. The Patea footballers journeyed to town on Saturday, and returned beaten by the Wanganui’s, who scored 15 points to nil. The game was considerably interrupted by copious showers of rain, and in this connection it may be mentioned that the roads, etc., are in a state of mud and slush.

With regard to social functions to eventuate in the near future there may be mentioned the Cavalry Ball on the Bth of next month, following which the Naval Artillery Ball comes off on the 15th. The Waitotara ‘ Old Buffers/ not to be outdone, have arranged for a dance, to take place on the oth,