BULLS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 2855, 18 September 1875, Page 2

BULLS.

(From our own Correspondent.) For several weeks past your columns have been so inundated with Parliamentary and local election news, that I presumed you had bub little space at your disposal for Kangitikei items, of which fortunately there have been none which pressed for admittance, the usual quiet though progressive order of things still prevailing, which, though scarcely worfch placing on record, are still none the less satisfactory to observe. I must make my notices brief, so as to be able to touch successively upon each incident that has occurred since my last, the date of which I am almost ashamed to recollect. Our new Presbyterian Church has been completed, and kas been appropri ately opened, special and very interesting services haviug taken place on the occasion. Many and pleasurable are the associations, which the music of its bell on a still tine morning brings vividly before one. Our new place of worship can point to this feature with pride and'satisfaction, as it is the first church bell which has been erected in the district. , 1 trust the melody of many church bells will yet be heard at Bulls, calling the worshippers together, and reminding them of the immutability and universality of the blessed institution of the Sabbath Poor young Jim Cameron has not long survived his father, both having met sud len deaths. Ewing, who made every ' possible exertion to save the yeuth, de-

, sewed very honorable mention, as he ■ could not have done more had the boy ' been his own son. For, the poor mother, " only lately, too, made a widow, general , sympathy is expressed under thii second mournful bereavement, both her !>uppt>rts having been now taken from her. The body of the drowned youth has not yet been found. The Bank of New South Wales has also opened its new premises in the interval when my pen was at rest, and very handsome and suitable they seem to be. Air W. G. Watt, of Marton, is exteriji ing his ramifications in this direction, 30r his new store, a very extensive edifice, is rapidly approaching completion. Marton h rapidly betaking itself towards Bulls, and by and bye, in answer to the query—" Stands Marton where it did V* the reply will probably be given—" No ; it has all vanished to Bulls." ..: £2,500 is a pretty tall contract price for the building of an hotel, but such is the estimated cost for the erection of the new house, which Mv Dalziel, of Napier, is now putting up. The site chosen is on some land purchased from Mr Schultze, and the building will be erected between his premises and the flour mill, on the road to the bridge. One would think that our hotel accommodation here was almost sufficient for the requirements, bnt there are many who have unlimited faith in our future progress, and the inevitable extension of our boundaries. The evangelistic services held here have been very interesting gatherings, and the attendances have been most satisfactorily numerous. It was scarcely expected that such a keen interest, would have been manifested ; and I have it on good authority that a few who went there to scoff remained to pray. We are now enjoying the most beautiful season of the year — the lovely spring — and although the weather is broken intermittently by seasons of rain, we are consoled in the trifling inconvenience resulting therefrom, wifch .the thought, slightly to vary the customary couplet — " August winds, and September showers bring forth November flowers." With lengthening days and very seasonable weather, our hopes are raised, and we look forward to a prosperous and very busy summer Lime. Have you any sparrows in Wanganui 1 A few of this feathered tribe have taken up their abode in the township, and appear to like the locality. When the fruit season comes on, I am not so sure that people will be so enthusiastic over the arrival of the birds, about which they now so rejoice. " Big Mac " has passed away. I know that no irreverence attaches to this old familiar name, with which every one of the pioueers ou this coast is so well acquainted. Many will niiss his warm hearty greeting, and many will remember his open hearted hospitality. In days of yore, the deceased, Mr James McDonnell, was engaged pretty extensively in cattle trading, Poneke being then the only market. His life has not been without its adventurous incidents, and many and hairbreadth have been the dangers which he encountered and surmounted triumphantly in the early days of colonization in this province. Many an old identity will feel a pang of regret to hear that the genial host of Tnverhoe, who was never happier than when his hearth was surrounded with guesfcs, has left the old familiar scenes, where his cheery presence was a welcome in itself. A. large family is left. behind. His funeral was one of the most touching demonstrations I have ever witnessed ; Maori and Pakeha seeming to vie with each other in showing respect for the departed. .

••; ; ..-. x . ... •,. •... :.' / ■ . ... The Wanganui Chronicle.- — September 18, 1875 V -