WANGANUI.

Taranaki Herald, Volume IX, Issue 460, 25 May 1861, Page 4

WANGANUI.

[From the Wanganui Chronicle, May 9.]

On Thursday evening last, No. 1 Company of W.V.R. met at dinner in the Rutland Hotel, Capt. Deighton in the chair. Among the visitors were Major Cooper, Captain Porter, No. 2 Company, Lieut. Kells, No. 4 Company, &c. After due justice had been done to the excellent viands, the chairman, in appropriate speeches, proposed the Queen, which was responded to with all the honors ; His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, which was well received ; and the Army and Navy. I In returning thanks foi the last toast, Major Cooper remaiked, that the admirable discipline of the British soldier had perhaps seldom been so remarkable as during the late events at Taranaki. Under the most trying circumstances, the soldiery there had preserved the name for steadiness and fortitude which so long ago had been acquired by them. Although they had been continually restrained, and perhaps necessarily so, from an open attack on an aggravating enemy, there had r.ever been a single instance of insubordination, or an attempt made to disobey the most stringent orders ; and when an opportunity had been given them, as at Mahoetahi and Puketakauere, they displayed that gallant dash and courage for which they have ever been famed. Mr. Speed, in a few well chosen words, then gave the health of Lieut.- General Cameron. Major Cooper returned thanks in a suitable speech, observing that the General had, with success, contended against the cold of Russia and the heat of India, and obtained an honorable name as a soldier; but here, like his predecessors, he would have to contend against missionary influence, and probably have well laid plans thwarted ; and he (Major C.) only hoped he would with success contend against this influence, as well as the native enemy. The chairman then proposed the health of Major Cooper, remarking that the Volunteer and Militia force of Wanganui ought to he sincerely thankful that a gentleman had been appointed to command them who had ever evinced the greatest desire to meet the wishes of the various companies, and make the duties as light as possible, compatible with discipline and proper organisation. That he had labored under many difficulties there could be no doubt, but that he had done as much as lay in his power was equally apparent. His urbanity and consideration for the diifexent corps under his command, he (the chairman) felt sure would cause the toast to be drunk with enthusiasm. After prolonged cheering,— Major Cooper rose to return his most sincere thanks for the very cordial manner in which his health had been drunk. He was certainly of opinion that Wanganui had to a considerable extent been neglected in the supply of arms and ammunition ; but notwithstanding this, the people of the district had come forward in greater numbers in proportion to the population than in any other district in New Zealand. At the close of the first year of their volunteer service, he begged to thank them for the way in which they had lightened his duties, by their invariably cordial compliance with his orders, and begged to remind them that the present aspect of affairs showed no reason why they should relax the discipline which they had been twelve months in acquiring. It was doubtful whether a lasting peace would be secured on the terms proposed, and it was quite impossible to say whether we were not in a more perilous position now than we were at the "commencement of the war. Dr. Tuke proposed the health of the officers and men of the 65th Regt., and in so doing remarked, that Major Cooper had eulogised the good behaviour and discipline of that corps in time of war, and that he (Dr. T.) felt sure that every one present would agree with him in saying that it had been equally proved iin times 'of peace, for a better behaved set of men than the Wanganui detachment could not exist, more particularly in their relations to the civilians. Every one would deeply regret their approaching departure, as the utmost good feeling had always existed between the 65th and the settlers. Such a thing as a street disturbance between the soldiers and civilians had never occurred in Wanganui, and all authorities agreed in saying that we should lose on their departure 200 of the finest men in the British service. Lieut. Kells returned thanks in a plain soldierlike speech for the enthusiastic manner in which the health of his old regiment had been drunk. Major Cooper then gave as a toast Captain J. Cameron and the W. C. V., which was responded to in a most enthusiastic manner. Mr. Howe proposed the health of the officers of No. 1 Company W. R. V. ; Captain Nixon asked a bumper in compliment to Dr. Tuke, as one of the first originators of the Volunteer movement in Wanganui. Other toasts were afterwards proposed and drunk, among which were Captain Porter and officers of No. 2 Company, Captains Dune and Nixon and the Wanganui Militia, the Ladies, &c. During the course of the evening the proceedings were agreeably diversified by excellent songs given by Messrs J. and W. Pawson, Alexandei, Lewis, Lieut. Jowett, Dr. Tuke, &c. The party broke up at a late hour, all agreeing that they had never been present at a more pleasant and harmonious meeting. Let us add that the excellent dishes, and the satisfactory manner in which the comfort of the party was attended to by Mr. and Mrs Russell, did great credit to iheir cuisine, and to their general management of the commissariat department.

The Weather. — During the past week a great deal of rain has fallen here. On Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday, the rain was incessant and heavy, and the Wanganui river rose nearly as high as at the memorable flood in October, 1858. The only damage done by the river was the lifting up of the flooring at the end of Messrs Taylor, Watt & Co.'s wharf, and a slight displacement of one or two of the piles on -which it rests. The smaller streams have done most damage. A sluice at Mr. Gibson's Kaikokopu Mill, was carried away, and the dam of Mr. McWilliam's Mill, in the Mataraua Valley was swept away to the width of 1 6ft. The Rangitikei road has suffered a good deal, the whole of the metal having been swept off at various places by the rush of the water, but none of the bridges or culverts have been destroyed, except the one in Cameron's Valley. There have also been some slips of earth at the cuttings, and a considerable sum will be required to repair the damage done.

Why is a kiss like a rumour ?— Because it goes from mouth to mouth.