LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11115, 11 November 1890, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Borough Council hold their U9ual fortnightly meeting this evening. The Druids' Dramatic Club will put on an entertainment for the Friendly Societies on Now Year's night. The mail for the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, per Coptic, will close to-day, at 4.15 p.m. The parcels portion closes at 12 noon ; this mail is due in London, on December 25th. The Stores Manager of the New Zealand Railways advertises for tenders for the coal supply for the ensuing year. Particulars of tenders may be seen in another column. Mr A. E. Moora, representative of Messrs Williamson and Garner, is at present in town, making arrangements for Mr J. L. Toole's beason, which opens hero on Friday next. Mr Alexander Higgie being the only nominee for the UpporWang.aohu Riding, has been declared duly elected a member of the Wanganui County Council. Among the visitors from Wellington who arrived by train on Saturday was Mr J. Duthie, who was accompanied by his daughter, Miss Duthie. After attending the races they left by the afternoon train. The Hon. J. Bryce leaves for the Waikato to-day to address the electors at different centres of the district. We have not heard as yet of anybody being likely to contest the seat with him. The Hon. Secretary of the Warrengate Jockey Club calls for tenders for the eroction of a saddling paddock. Plans and specifications may be seen at Mr T. Ferry.s, Ridgway-street. We regret to hear of the continued illness of Captain Montgomerio, of Upokongaro. He has lately, we hear, tak6n a turn for the better, but is still very weak and under Dr Earle's constant care. The presentation of the Royal Humane Society's medal to Norman Anderson will take place this evening a? the Borough Council Chambers at 7.30. His Worship the Mayor will make the presentation, to which the public are cordially invited. The tridnum in honour of the protomartyr Blessed Pater Chanel, will commence at St. Mary's Church next Sunday, and be continued on Monday and Tuesday, special services being held oa each day. Mr Robert Parker, the well-known Wellington organist, presided at the now organ at St. Mary's on Sunday last, at both morning and evening service. He tested the powers of the instrument to their fullest extent, and with most gratifying results. Mr James McGrail has a notice in this issue, with reference to certain cattle which have been grazing on his property at the Brunswick, since October 10th. If not claimed they will be sold to defray expenses. It will please our readers to learn that Mr J. L. Toole will perform " The Don " during his short season here. This pipes is one in which the greatcomedian shows at his best, and the fact of it being in the programme is sure to attract a bumper house. Mr R. Bruce addressed a large meeting of electors at Upokongaro -on Saturday night. Notwithstanding the wet weather some 53 to 60 persons put in an appearance and listened to the candidate most attentively, Mr J. Smith presided, and Mr Bruce was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. ■ The jockey Lett, though stunned and badly hurt by the fall he got yesterday, was able after a short rest to get up and walk about. It was feared that his ribs were broken but happily it proved otherwise, and he got off with a. severe bruising . He fell on his shoulder and the horse gave him a nasty kick when he was on the ground. A special meeting of the Wanganui branch of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants was held last night. Messrs Winter and Elvines, of Christchurch, attended and addressed the meetIng at some length on matters pertaining to Unionism, which thoy said would become general with all trades in the futuro. When both gentlemen had addressed the meeting, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded them. Messrs Winter and Elvines proceed from here up the coast, where they intend to address meetings at Hawera and New Plymouth. The land returns for last month show that 94 selectors took yip 15,200 acres, the monthly average so far having been 140 selectors, 27,439 acres. The falling off in the month's transactions is to be accounted for by the fact that it is now rather late to take up bush land. As usual, Auckland heads the list of selectors, of whom SO took up 6175 acres last month. As a matter of fact, in that province the selectors are generaly double the number, and the areas half the size of these in other parts of tho Colony. The perpetual lease tenure is still by far the most popular, as is shown by the circumstance that last month 10,293 acres out of the total of 15,200 were taken up in that way. On Thursday evening Mr Bruce addressed the electors at Waitotara. Mr Walter Cox, J.P., presided as chairman of the meeting, which was attended by about eighty gentlemen and also a goodly number of ladies who were anxious, no doubt, to hear the views of the candidate on the question of the ladies' vote (something was said at the meeting of taxing bachelors!). Mr Bruce spoke well — he certainly did not leave his hearers in doubt as to his views — and the audience evidently appreciated the speaker and his manly and outspoken manner. At the close of the address some questions were put and answered, and a hearty and cordial vote of thanks to Mr Bruce was passed, after which the customary vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. The performance of " Patience " by Mr J, Sparks' Company drew a large audience to tho Oddfellows' Hall last night. The opera wns well staged, and the cast was good. Miss Jacombe, in the title role was excellent, and sang and acted her part with good effect. Mr St. John as " Bunthorne" was also good, but showed inclination at times to over-act his part. His singing was very fair, but he did not losehis individuality enough in his acting. Tho "Lady Jane" (Mrs J. A. Sparks), was as great a success as when the opera was performed before, and in fact was one of the features of the performance. Miss J. Manson made a splendid " Lady Angela,', and was noticeable for her acting and the clearness of her dialogue. Mr Cribb as "Colonel Calvorley," sang his part excellently, but was stiff in his acting and seemed uncertain of his dialogue at times. Tho other characters were undertaken by those who had before appeared in them, and were well sustained. This evening Mr Sparks announces a second performance of " Patience," nnd we feel sure that the repute of the Company will draw another large house. The funeral of the late Mr J. I. Pennell, who waa killed by a fall of earth at Castlecliff, took place on Sunday afternoon last and was very largely attended by the sympathising public and members of the Fire Brigade and Bishop Lodge of Druida, of which bodies the deceased was a member. The sad procession lpf t the late residence of tho deceased in St. Hill-street at 3.30 p.m., the coffin being carried on a gun carriage draped in black. Four members of tho Fire Brigade, in uniform, acted as pall-bearers, who being also members of the Druids wore mourning sashes over their rod tunics. There werein all some seventyfive membersof the Bishop Lodge of Drnids present, who followed the remains of their latobrothprtothe grave with every signof sympathetic respect. The procession was headed by the Town Band playing the " Dead Blarch," and following them came tie Druids immediately in front of the deceasod and general public following immediately in the rear. The coffin had many wreaths placed upon it, there being one from both the Firo Brigade and Druids. The wreath from the Firo Brigade was composed of red roses, and in the shape of a helmet, and svas buried with the body. On a memorial card attached to this wreath were the words, "In deep sympathy from his comrades of the Wanganui Fire Brigade." The Druids' floml tribute was all white, bearing the initials "U.A.0.p," and there were wreaths from the Railway Servants and the Union Boat Club. Tho service at the grave was conducted by tho Eov. Mr Treadwell, according to the Presbyterian form, and P.D.P. Brother James Laird read tho Druidical oration in a most impressive manner. The funeral was one of the most impressive wo havo seen in Wanganui. Mossrs Dillon and O'Brion havo mot with cool recoptions in many part of the States.