WANGANUI

New Zealand Mail, 25 June 1902, Page 43

WANGANUI

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WANGANUI, June 19. Mr.A. D. Willis, M.H.R., addressed a meeting of supporters last night. He gave a short address covering matters of interest, and at the conclusion answered several questions. It was then carried unanimously, on the motion of Mr Manson, seconded by Air J. H. Jensen, “That this meeting thanks Mr Willis for his address, and as a mark of confidence pledges itself to support him as a candidate at the next general election.” Air Willis returned thanks for such an expression of continued confidence in him as their representative, and stated that after such a vote as that just given, he would he a candidate at tho next general elections. A wedding was celebrated at St: {Paul’s Church yesterday afternoon, the contracting parties being Aliss Frances Mary Cecil, only daughter of Air W. Blythe, Wanganui, and Edwin youngest son of Air Edwin Ashwell, of Leicester, England. In the unavoidable absence of the Rev R. AI. Ryburn, the ceremony was conducted by the Rov Mr Finlayson. The bridesmaids were Alisses Sarah Blythe, Jessie Alurray, whilst Air W. Ashwell officiated as best man aud Air John Hamilton as groomsman. . ~

At the Alagistrate’s Court this morning the charge brought by the local in spector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals against Hugh Hocken, horse-dealer, of Feildiug, for conveying fourteen horses in a railway truck between Hawera and Feildiiig, in such a manner or position to cause them unnecessary pain or suffering, was continued. The evidence of witnesses was to the effect that no undue cruelty was inflicted on the horses in question, though, under ordinary circumstances, it was admitted that horses should be fell and watered at least twice a day. Air Treadwell submitted that there was no case to answer. He said that if, hay were put on top of trucks it would he impossible for all the animals to get at it, aud if they struggled to get at it they would get knocked about. It was ridiculous to suggest uutrueking them in Wanganui, as there would bo a good deal more cruelty in forcing them in and out of trucks than in leaving them in. Evidence was given for the defence by Messrs Greswell, Lind and Cholmeley, and also by defendant. It was mentioned by one witness that be had known a s’oung liorse refuse for a week to eat or drink after being brought to stable from a paddock. Air Barnicoat said that the ease had been brought as a test one, and they did not charge defendant with being guilty of intentional cruelty, but the question was whether the usual practice of carriage of stock on railways was a cruel one. Iu this particular case the question was, whether it was right and prqper to put food and water in trucks, or detrain horses for a time. The Alagistrate said he would give judgment in the case later on.

June 20. Air C. C. Kettle, S.M., after hearing argument yesterday by Messrs Treadwell and Watt in the case of Lock v. Hodson, gave judgment for the amount claimed, £25, and costs. On Thursday a wedding was solemnised in Putiki Church by the Rev A. O. Williams. The contracting parties were Miss McDonnell, eldest daughter of Captain AlcDonnell, and Air William Scott, of Scott Brothers, Castlecliff, and eldest son of Mr W. Scott. The bride was attended by her sister and Aliss C. Scott. Mr Tom Scott was best man, Mr Connor being groomsman. Prior to the meeting of tho Coronation Committee in the Borough Council Chambers last evening, those present formed themselves into a public meet-

ing. The Mayor explained that the desire was to erect a permanent memorial in connection with the Coronation, and in grateful memory of those from tins district who died in South Africa during the war. The Borough Council had voted £6O, which, with the Government subsidy and subscriptions, would, it was thought, provide a suitable memorial. It had been suggested that it might take the form of a piece of granito or marble, surmounted with a lion cast in gun metal, and that it should be erected in Moutoa Gardens; further, that it should bear the names -not only of those who had died in South Africa, but also the names of all I those who had gone from this district, the. boundaries, of course, to be defined. This, Mr Hatrick said, he thoroughly supported. He -then went on to refer to the £240 balance in hand after sending away the Third Contingent ; how it had been decided that the sum should form the nucleus of a Queen Victoria Memorial Ward for the hospital ; and that, together with subscriptions amounting, to between £BOO and £9OO and a -Government subsidy, a substantial addition to the institution had been riiade. With regard to the ■project under that the meeting. was asked to decide that night was whether the action of the Borough Council was to be endorsed. Mr J. G. Woon supported the'Mayor’s proposal's, and moved “That a permanent memorial in connection with .the Coronation and the South African campaign on the lines suggested by the Mayor be carried into effect.” This motion was carried. The following committee, with power to add to its number, was then appointed:— Messrs W. G. Bassett, G. Calinan, S. Griffiths, A. Atkins, S. M. Fitzherbert, G. Spriggens, J. H. Jen sen, J. G. Swan, Hope Gibbons, T. D. Cummins, F. M. Spurdle, A. G. Bignell, P. Bell, T. B. Williams, C. J. McCarthy, Rev T. B. Mac Lean, and Lieutenant-Colonel Watt. _ ■ The annual ball of the Rangitikei Hunt .Club was held at Marton tonight. 5 It was a great success. There were a large number df visitors from all parts of the coast. The hall was nicely decorated with greenery, bunting and trophies of the hunt, which, with the pretty dresses of the ladies, gave the room an artistic appearance. The music was supplied by Fraser's String I Band. Host Gibbons, of the White Hart Hotel, had charge of the supper table, and gave an excellent spread. Tho point-to-point steeplechase takes

place at Crofton to-morrow. Subscribers to the public library tonight decided to spend £SOO in extending the building, replenishing and adding books, and in the liquidation of £IOO liabilities. The shareholders were asked to consider a largo scheme initiated by Mr Empson, president of the Arts and Crafts Society, for the erection of a large building _m Queen’s Park reserve, behind the Catholic Churck r The idea was that the reserve, now an eyesore, would be beautified, and a building erected suitable for an up-to-date library and art gallery. The meeting considered the scheme too ambitious for the present. WANGANUI, June 21. There was a large and representative gathering of members at the T.Y.M.I. on Friday evening to say good-bye to Mr Laurie Townsend, who has been associated with the T.Y.M.I. for a number of years He lias acted as librarian, and has taken keen interest in nearly every branch of the institute. Many of the members expressed their regret at Mr Townsend’s transfer.

In the District Court this morning before District Judge Kettle, in re .John Richardson, late of Fordell, farmer, deceased, upon the motion of Mr Treadwell, probate was granted on the usual terms to Martin Richardson, the executor named in the will. In the Supreme Court before Mr C. C. Kettle, Registrar, in re George Cleghorn, late of Wanganui, surgeon, deceased, on the motion of Mr AVood, probate was granted upon the usual terms to Helen Cleghorn, the executrix named in the will.

In the Divorce C-ourt, re Gaussen v. Gaussen, the wife’s petition for dissolution of marriage, upon application of the petitioner, Margaret Jessie Gaussen, by her solicitor, Mr Treadwell, a decree absolute was ordered to issue. June 22. At the quarterly meeting of the Wanganui branch of the Farmers’ Union, held on Saturday afternoon, it was reseolved that the branch affirm the principle of erecting a distributing depot at AVellington, and that the Government be asked to repeal the sections of the Public AYorks Act referring to the widening of country roads where land is cut up or sold. It was pointed out by the chairman of the County Council that it would take all the revenue of the Council to meet claims for compensation by owners. The question of the Government advancing money to local bodies wherewith to erect dairy factories was discussed at length, and it was resolved to ask the Government to make clearer the connection between the local body and suppliers.