Local Intelligence

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 457, 30 November 1864, Page 3

Local Intelligence

Town Board Improvements. The Town Board is getting on rapidly with the town improvements. The metalling of Campbell Place is completed, and that of the lower, part of Wilson-street nearly so. That of Ridgway-street 33 being pushed on, the work being let in two contracts. The great improvement arising from the-forming of-the latter street is a subject of general remark ; indeed it will now become one of the principal streets of the town. We understand that several persons at the lower end of the street have objected to having that part formed, preferring apparently to look out upon a mas 3 of grass weeds and thistles ; but we hope the Board will not listen to a suggestion which would spoil the ensemble of the street, without benefiting the objectors. Most of the timber for the Nixon’s Creek Bridge arrived by the Scillonian, though a part unfortunately was obliged to be thrown overboard during the gale which the vessel encountered in crossing the Straits. Tenders for erecting the bridge are to be received on j Monday. It will be a plain structure consisting of two 18-feet spans with a headway of nearly eight feet above high -water mark, and a roadway 10 feet wide. The parapet will be attached, so as to bo capable of removal for the purpose of widening the bridge or adding a footpath to it. The Board is making vigorous efforts to destroy the thistles in the town by cutting down those on the streets and public reserves, and giving notices to those persons on whose lands these weeds are seen to exist in j any number. We hope that all persons owning town or suburban land will see >ud j these efforts, by looking carefully over their properties .and destroying the thistles thereon, although the number may not bo such as to have procured them a notice. , We hope also that the native magistrate will endeavor to procure the removal of the dense mass now growing on tho hill face opposite to the town. Volunteer Uniform. —At the inspection parade on Saturday some members of the Victoria Company appeared for the first time in the new volunteer uniform. It consists of a tunic, trowsers, and shako of invisible green, with black facings, and bronze buttons having on them a crown and the letters N.Z.V'. interlaced. The schako has a black ball on the top, and on the front a bronze ornament consisting of a bugle encircling the N.Z.V. and surmounted by a crown. The v/liole has a very smart appearance, though the tunic is rather too short in the waist and tail to be quite to our liking. The non-commissioned officers’ stripes are of silver, as are also the ornaments on the commissioned officers’ uniforms.

The Wanganui Races. Parties interested are reminded that the preliminary meeting in connection with these sports, takes place to-mor;o>v evening, at six o’clock.

Mr. Fisic reports having sold Kai Iwi Wethers, (783), after shearing, 27s 6d each ; Virginia Farm do, after shearing, 27s 6d each ; 50 head of fat 'cattle, LII 11s ; four cases saddlery, 30 per cent advance. Native Intelligence. —Copies of tho Governor’s proclamation have been sent to all the leading chiefs of the Ngatiruanui and Ngarauru tribes, as well as to the principal up river chiefs. They -were aho. we understand, sent to Matutaera, Rewi, and other Waikato leaders now on the coast between here and Taranaki. 011 the coast they were respectfully received, and forwarded to those to whom they were addressed, but no answers have yet been received. Up the liver fha case has been different, as Topia seized the copies intended for Tdpini and the other upper Wanganui and Taupo chiefs, and positively' refused to forward them or let them be forwarded. A day or two afterwards he sent to request an interview with Mr. Booth and Haimona Hiroti, but on their approach declined to see the former, and sent a messenger to desire him to return. Haimona declined to meet him alone, so nothing was done. Hamarama, we learn, has expressed a wish or intention of returning to Atene, of course on taking the oath of allegiance. About 100 Waikatos are said to be at Pipiriki, but it is not certain with what intentions they have come.

TURAKINA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. The first ploughing and shearing match of this Association was held on Thursday' last at Turalcina. Tue day was propitious, and there was a large gathering of people from all parts of the country', there being on the ground about 400 persons. A large contingent came from Wanganui, and the Rangitikei district was also well represented. .Owing, however, to the lateness of the season the ploughing match did not bring together iso many competitors as nrght have been expected. The ploughing took place in a field of Mr. Cameron's immediately adjacent to the village, and was of a character that ensured the commendation of those appointed as judges, and of others on the ground who understood the requisites of a good furrow. It was, therefore, with much pleasure that the judges awarded the following prizes : . Ist prize, ploughing with bullocks, L 3 John McLean. 2nd prize for ploughing with bullocks, L2—for boy's —Rudolph Goyla. Ist prize for ploughing with horses, L 3 Donald McLean. 2nd prize for ploughing with horses, L 2 James Teening. Extia prize for ploughing, L5 —John McLean. The shearing match excited considerable interest; and as the first prize was won by a shearer who can go through 115 sheep in a day, it will be understood ’that the winner thoroughly deserved it. Ist prize for shearing, L3—Thos. Holder. 2nd prize for shearing, L 2 James Eansfield. In the course of the day several contests took place in running, leaping, horse racing, Ac., for which prizes were awarded from a fund collected on the spot. And the proceedings wore still further varied

ai d rendered pleasing by a series of dances on the grSensw.-rd —a species of recreation and amusement which in this • fino climate* might be much more frequently indulged iu than has hitherto bean the case. The pro-' vision made by Mr. G!e..so:i, of the Ban Nevis Hotel-, for his guests was ample and excellent, and the whole affair, so far as the enjoyment of a holiday went, was very successful. The enjoyment of the day wav* greatly enhanced by the fine music of tho band of the 57th, which by the permission of Colonel Logan was oh the ground. The proceedings were wound up in the evening by those who lingered over the scene of the day’s amusement with a dance in Mr. O’Reilly’s accommodation house/ Much credit is due to Mr. Fisk, the Secretary, for the manner in which he exerted himself to provide amusement for ail tastes ; and we have no doubt that next year at a mere fitting season, under his able management, with the assistance of ffhe other office bearers of the Association, a much more effective meeting will be hold —effective; that is in respect to the particular objects of the Association, whose diroefcobs thought it better to have a meeting this' year, though so late iu the season, than wait for nearly a year after tne formation of the society before making any efforts towards promoting its object.