LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 2420, 1 May 1874, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Bruce's Funeral. — The clergyman referred to in our paragraph of yesterday tells us that he. declined to attend Bruce's funeral because he was in Formed that Bruce was not a member of his (the clergyman's denomination ; otherwise he would have been present at the burial. Supreme Court. — His Honor Mr Justice Johnston held a sitting in banco at the Supreme Court yesterday, when, on the application of Mr Hutchison, a rule nisi was granted, returnable on Friday, May Bth at Wellington, calling upon Major James Townsend Edwards, R.M., to show cause why a writ of mandamus should not issue commanding him to re-hear the case of McGregor v. Ledbury. His Honor will hold a sitting in bankruptcy to-day. ; New Harness. — Mr 0. Gordon has now on view a splendid consignment of. silver mounted harness, and most unique inventions in ladies riding and carriage whips, made from designs supplied by himself. One set of the harness has been specially imported for Dr Earle. Tho whips are ingeniously contrived so as to be used, in case of necessity, as parachutes, and are so light as to cause no inconvenience from the double contrivance. They are well worthy of inspection as curious, as well as useful, specimens of art. Nixon Street. — The ratepayers in this street have good cause to complain that their interests do not receive that attention to which, considering the amount they contribute to the Borough revenue, they are j istly entitled. The supposed improvements made in this street have in fact damaged property, by so raising the level as to subject holders of property to expense in tilling up their allotments. A kind of exploration on a small scale is proceeding at the corner of Nixon and Guyton Streets, where tho old kerbing has for some time past remained buried in the sand, but a nasty hole has been left which is extremely dangerous to foot passengers. We under' stand that the owners of property in the 3treet are prepared to contribute towards the cost of placing it in a decent condition, and that the owner of an allotment abutting on the street, but lying at a considerably lower level, is willing to contribute liberally towards the expense of removing the earth from the necessary cutting, in order to fill up the hollow in his ground. Probably an equitable and mutually beneficial arrangement could be made between the Council and the residents. Fire Brigade. — A meeting was held last night, when the folio whig were present — Mr G. Beaven, agent Victorian Insurance Company, Mr W. Powell for the Liverpool London and Globe Company, and Mr W % J. Morrison of the National Insurance* Company, besides tho members of the brigade. The Secretary read a letter from Mr H. D. C. Hardinge, reporting the result of his canvass of the town which amounted to .£6O 13s. It was also stated that others would affix their signatures so soon as the appointment was made The Insurance Agents present agreed to hold a meeting when it would be decided what amount they would contribute towards the support cf the watchman and the Brigade, After a desultory conversation the Insurance Agents decided to contribute Is each per week towards the watchman. The applications for watchman were then read and after a ballot Richard Openahaw was declared unanimously elected, The following were the other applicants — Messrs Turner, Ryan, Spoor, Morse, Bond, and Miles. The services which the successful candidate had to perform were then read by the Secretary. The watchman was to parade from the Market Square to Wilson Street, for which he was to receive £80 per annum. It was agreed that the night watchmau should be sworn in as a special constable. A letter was then read from the Clerk to the Borough Council stating that that body had agreed to contribute £20 towards the support of the Brigade. An account was read from Mr A. Tod showing a balance in his favor of £32 12s 4d, but the amount being a large one, it was held over for a fuller, meeting of the Brigade. An account due to the same person for £1 13s 9d was then passed. After reading minutes of some previous meetings the Brigade dispersed.

I Ridgwav Street?. We observe that the contractor, Mr Edmonds, has commenced I asphalting Ridgway Street, commencing at the corner of St. Hill Street. The work will be carried out to the commencement of the asphalting already done in front of the Royal Oak Hotel.