LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11236, 7 April 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The Union Steam Shipping Company announce- that their steamer Hauroto will be despatched from Wellington for Sydney on Thursday next, _9th' April, when passengers will be carried at reduced rates. The saloon fare will be £3, and steerage £1 10s.

Mr A. D. illis announoes that he has just opened up a very complete stock of footballs for the ensuing seasou,the following special brands being included in his stock— "The Grasshopper," "The County Rugby " " The Match," and '• The Special Rugby," all of which will be found to be extra strong and durable.

Last week a very successful operation was undertaken by Drs Tripe and Innes, in taking out an eye of a boy, the two-year-old son of Mr K. Sharpe, of the Keith-street Fire Brigade Station. The child had completely lost the sight from the optic, through cataract, and in order to save the other eye the medical advisers found it necessary to move the affected one altogether. The little patient has come out of the oporation remarkably well.

As aproofrof the evenness of the crews which met on the river on Saturday afternoon, representing the Oddfellows and Druids, it may be remarked that at no time throughout the «vhole of tho race was either boat completely clear of the other. This is a very raro occurrence in local rowing competitions, and shows clearly that there was very little to choose between the two' crews.

" The fact '\ says the Manawatu Times, " that our associations of men who desire to settle in this district decline to take up land under the regulations was quite sufficient to justify attention being given to the subject by any body interested in the commercial and general prosperity of the district. These regulations have already done more to delay progress than any action perpetrated by a,ny Ministry for years past; yet there are some — fortunately very few — who, for mere party's sake, call on others to admire the Ministerial handiwork. The interests of the public, of intending settlers and working men who desire to obtain homes of their own, should rank high above those of any political party.

The story concerning the Duke of Orleans and the singer is not the recent thing the cable news would lead us to believe. The following paragraph was going the rounds of the English papers, under the heading of "The Duke of Orleans and the Operatic Star " six weeks ago : — " The newspapers here, writes a Paris special correspondent, declare that the European travels of the Duke of Orleans are not in any way connected with scientific pursuits, but entirely due to the fact that the son of the Comte de Paris has fallen madly in love with a well-known operatic star, who is mysteriously described as Madame M. He met and became infatuated with the singer in question at Brussells, followed her to London, and is now accompanying her to St. Petersburg, where she is' expected to appear shortly. This, it is asserted, is the whole secret of the Prince's eccentric peregrinations."

The following 'from an Australian magazine will be of interest to our local fanners, referring as it does to their staple produce : — Among the causes which have brought about the heavy decline in the value of wool during the last year, two may be mentioned as probably the most potent. These are— (a) the disturbing element introduced by the new American tariff ; and (b) the financial crisis which occurred towards the close of the year. "With respects to tho prospects of the market, there appears to be no ground for apprehension, and whilst it would be unsafe to predict any material advance in the near future, there appears to be nothing to justify any marked dec'ine from the present range of prices. Tho first series of London sales, which closed on 26th ult., presented no very 1 marked features. The least favourable point was the weakness occasionally apparent in the case of faulty wools. On tie other hand, it is satisfactory to note that both merinos and crossbreds suitable for the American market wero in good demand, whilst crossbreds generally uled in settlers' favour. The latter feature, however, may probably be accounted for by the fact that the supplies of New Zealand wool are usually short in the home market at this time of the year, whilst the domestic clip is not available until later in the spring. In this connection, and as affecting the value of the coarsest grades of crossbreds, it is noteworthy that a comparatively largo iuoroase has lately taken place in tho number of sheep and lambs in the United Kingdom.

The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Borough Council will be held this evening at 7.30.

The quarterly stewards meeting of the Wesleyan Church offlcers,-.which was announced for to-night, has been postponed till next Tuesday, 14th inst.

liy the s.s. Kennedy last trip Mr John Bennie received a large consignment of close on 1000 bags of prime malting barley, grown in the Marlborough district.

We are requested to draw the attention of the public to the fact that Mr J. H. Dalton, tailor, Victoria Avenue, has just opened up a new and various assortment of tweeds, and guarantees to give -full satisfaction to any who may patronise him.

We notice in the window of Mr J. Goss, tobacconist, a second picture of the racehorse Dudn. This painting was specially executed by Mr Griesbach to the ordor of Mr Hugh Ross, whose son' Frod is in the saddle. This result of MrGriesbach's labours with tho brush is quite equal to any of his previous oneß in that line.

Mr E. Moult has just opened up a stools of terra cotta ware suitable, when handpainted^ for wall ornaments. Some of the designs are very novel and exceedingly, pretty. Tambourines, banjoes, shields, fans, &c, are included in the various designs, which should command a ready sale. The placques are the work of the Watcombe Terra Cotta Company. In another column will be seen an an" nouncement that the Naval Artillery are preparing for their annual social, the proceeds of which are to bo devoted to the Drill Hall expenses. Those who were fortunate enough to have been present 1 at the last social given by this popular company -will Temember it as one of tho events of the year.

The Secretary of the Wanganui Bowling Club received a wire yesterday from Mr D. Winton, President of the Nelson Bowling Club, challenging the ' local players to meet them in a friendly match, consisting of two rinks, on Thursday week next, the 16th inst. The Nelson representatives will arrive here on Wednesday evening from New Plymouth, where they play a match against the Taranaki •bowlers. The Wanganui men will in all probability accept the challenge.

The s.s. Kennedy, which got away for Picton yesterday morning, after several days' detention in port owing to her being unable to work the bar, is expected back again about Thursday; next, with a full load of prime milling wheat for Mr J. Duigan, the proprietor of the local flour mill. This will make the second importation of this cereal during the present season, and is proof positive of the - bad gram season the farmers in this district have just had the misfortune to experience.

Nominations in accordance with "The Regulation of Local Elections Act 1876 Amendment Act, 1888 " for candidates to act as a Licensing Committee for the Borough of Wanganui for the ensuing three years, must be left at the Town Clerk's office before noon on Thursday, the 9th inst. ' The poll is to be taken at the Council Chambers on Thursday week, 16th inst. Messrs Bassett, J. Jones, and the Rev. J. Treadwell will stand in the interests of the Temperance Party.

A case of child desertion of a most reprehensible character has just come under our notice. The parents were living in the upper part of- the town, and had a family of some half-dozen children, including an infant eleven months old. Some days ago they cleared out and deserted the children,' infant and all. A kind neighbour took charge of the babe temporarily atid now is in trouble what to dp with it. The case only wants mentioning to enlist the sympathies of some charitably disposed ladies in Wanganui.

Thursday's Gazette contains the returns for the Wanganui section of Rail-: way for the month of February 1890 and 1891. The revenue derived "from passengers travelling last February total up to £3171, against .£3266 for the corresponding period last year. That derived from the carriage of; goods amounts to £3385, whereas from the same source during February of last year, ,£3695 was received. The revenue from passengers and goods, together with that from parcels and luggage, miscellaneous, rents, and commission, make up a total for the month of £7230 ; whilst last year, during the' same month, it amounted to £7722, or a increase of £492. ' ,

Harry Laing and William Noble were arrested yesterday at Kauangaroa, at the instance of Me Joseph A bbot, who charges them with robbing him of the sum of £280. The arrest was effected by Constable Bell, who brought his men to town last night, and lodged them in gaol. They will be brought up this morning at the Police Court and charged with the offence. Mr Abbot's statement is that he was staying at the Upokongaro Hotel on Sunday night last, when he had the money in question in his possession. He was taking it up the country to pay some Maoris for a number of sheep he had purchased from them. He discovered his loss on Sunday nighc, and his suspicions fell on the prisoners, for reasons which will probably be disclosed when the case is heard this morning.

A gentleman who has just returned from New Plymouth states that the way in which the police force carried out thoir duties during the recent Jubilee celebrations there was the subject of most favourable comment at the hands of the general public, more especially during the two days' races. The customary police surveillance was further augumented by a detachment of officers in plain elotlies who had come to Taranaki to bo prepared for an emergency and to cope with the unusually large number of the " spoiling " fraternity that had assembled. Owing to the energy and vigilance exercised by the police these pests of society were completely frustrated, and their usual games of chance and swindling combined were speedily nipped in the bud. Every credit is due to Inspector Pardy and his men for the way in which they fulfilled their duties.

Mr S. H. Drew has just received some valuable exchanges from tho Tauinanian Colonial Museum. The exhibits which the latter have sent include a Tasmanian tiger, a wormbat, an Echidua, beaver rat, and kangaroo rat, also several skulls. Amongst the latter is that of a Tasmanian Bevil, which is now a rare animal, but Mr Drew hopes to get a full specimen of the animal in a short time. Besides the articles already referred to, a number of Tasmanian stone implements were sent over. By the same boat Mr Drew received the numbers of tho " Papers and proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania" from the year 1881 to 1889, which contains some really interesting and valuable information regarding the early history of that colony. Tho whole will form an extensive addition to the already large and attractive collection, which is the result of Mr Drew's laboursand study.

A meeting of persons interested in the forming of Whiting and Co.'s fishing business into a Limited Liability Company was held last night ih the Boiough Council Chambers. There were some 40 or 60 persons present. Mr Drew was voted to the chair. The chairman having introduced the business, Mr J.\ H. Whiting, the convener of the meeting, placed before those preseotsome particulars with regard to the operations of the firm and of the prospects of success of the company. He said the Wanganui district could consume a much larger quantity of fish than they had hitherto been supplied with, and he (the speaker) wa3 perfectly satisfied that tho fish were obtainable if they had the proper appliances. What they proposed was that a company should be formed with a captail of .£2OOO, in £1 shares, ,£ISOO of which it would probably be necessary to call up. They would require one steamboat and two sailing smacks. He was of opinion that they could work 122 days in the year, earning about £A daily per vessel. He proposed that, after all working expenses had been deducted from the sum total of tho takings, the fisherman should have twothirds and the shareholders one-third of the balance. He proposed that this meeting considers that it is desirable that a company should be formed to carry out the objects explained by him to the meeting, such company to be callod "The Wanganui Pishing Company," and that the following gentlemen be asked to act as a provisional directorate, and to report at a future meeting : — Messrs T. Denby, I". M. Spurdle, J. Duigan, J. Crane, Mills, and J. and J. H. Whiting, with power to add. The motion was seconded by Mr Robinson, and carried. It. was resolved that tho provisional directors report that flay fortnight.

Mr G. W. Campbell and Mr G. S.; Robertson, chairman and director respectively of our local Meat Freezing; Company, left for Wellington yesterday to attend the conference of Frozen Moat Companies which commences its sittings in the Empire City to-day.

The Feilding Star, in referring to tho Wanganui Herald'sapproval of Mr George Hutchison for the post of Agent-General, expresses the opinion " That the electors as a whole will not approve of a young and untried man being foisted into such a position merely that a troublesomo supporter of the Ministry may be got rid of for the time."

Owing^to several 'steamers finding it necessary to discharge their cargoes at the Castlecliff Wharf, on account of mud that had settled on tho flats, the Harbour Board has had to pay the sum of £15 to the different ship agents to provide for the carriage of the goods .by the Heads Railway to town. The' consignees in no case have had to pay anything extra.

' The man' Frederick Gibson, who was arrested by Constable Bell on Saturday at, Peat's Bush, oh a charge of larceny as a bailee of . a horse, the . property of Mr Charles Gascoigno,' of Martori, has been tbmanded till the next sittings of the court at Marton, which will be held on Saturday, the 11th instant. . In the meantime Gibson will remain an occupant of the local gaol,, no application for bail having been made by the prisoner.

As an additional proof to those already mentioned in these columns,; showing that the present grain season in this district had been considerably behind hand as far as yield is concerned, with. that of. ■former years, we find that in. the statement of railway returns on the Wanganui section of Government railways, vmder the heading of weight of. grain carried over the line in 1 February,- 1891, ■ that it, only amounted to 690' tons, whereas for the corresponding period of 1890 as nrich as 1222 tons were handled by the railway authorities, . which is a difference of 532 tons. .

The Naval Artillery will fire their fourth competition for C.P.O. Dustin's medals on Saturday morning and afternoon at 6 and 5.30 o'clock respectively ; ranges 300 and 500 yds, seven shots at each range ; the following are the handicaps : — Lieut. Neil], P.O. Bevege, Bugler Mooseraan, Gunners Mahoney and G. Greener, ocratch; Gunner McMahon, 1 point ; Gunners Keen, Birchall, and Paul, 2 ; Captain Clapham, Lieut. Russell,. P.O.'s Carrell and Bullock, and Gunners Barrett and Carrell, 5 ; P.O.'s Batkin and Delves, and Gunner Derungs,'6. The remainder of the. company have the limit.

The following new books have just been added to the Wanganui Public Library :— Fiction : " Mrs Bob," Winter; " Ladies' Gallery," McCarthy and Praed ; " The Bishop's Bible," Christie Murray and Henry Hernan ; " The Right Sort," Mr Kennard j ' " Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow," Jerome ; " A Ward of the Golden fame; "Portia," byauthorof "Phyllis" ; Gate," Bret Harte ; " The ßondman,"Hall '•Every Man a Soldier," .Colquhon; "Spring Hayen," Blackmore; "My Patients," "Poverty Corner," and .'•Sweet Mace," G. ,M. Fennj i" Sweet Sicoly." Miscellaneous : " Socialism," Graham j " New Zealander Abroad," McHutcheson j "Travels in Timbuctoo and Sowdan/'.Bartle; "Life of Dr Moffat," Waters; "Life,. of Burns/ Lockhart; "The Prose Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson"; "Nation Making," J. :C. Firth;' " Coleridge's Poems "; "A Jubilee Jaunt to Norway 1 *by Three Girls." All of which are now ready for : distribu-' tion to the subscribers to the Library.-