LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11820, 12 June 1893, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

St. Paul's Literary Society meet tonight at 7.30 sharp. Mr J. W. Bridge, dentist, of Wellington, has an announcement in another column to which we would call the attention of our readers. After the parade of the Wanganui Rifles to-morrow evening, a meeting will be held to consider the resignation of Lieutenant Howard, who was recently appointed, Mr George Nicholl, of Lawrence (Dunedin), came up by the Stormbird yesterday for the purpose of taking up a position in the local office of the Government Insurance Department. At the residence of the brida's parents Waverley, on tho 7th inst., by the Rev. Thomas McDonald, Mr David Coghiil and Miss Maud Mary Mathieson were united in the bands of matrimony. We wish the young couple every prosperity. Members of St, Mary's Catholic Church choir, the Orchestral Club, and others kindly assisting, are reminded of the practice of Gounod's Mass, at the schoolroom in the rear of the Convent this (Monday) evening, at 8 o'clock. A full attendance is requested. At the Police Court on Saturday last, William Hogg, the father of the boy who was last committed to the Burnham Industrial School, was summoned by Ser-geant-Major Anderson to provide for the maintenance of the boy. The defendant did not appear, but His Worship (Mr Kettle) ordered him to pa? three shillings per week. A man named Merritt, from the district about KTaugamahu, was arrainged at the Court on Saturday last on a charge of lunacy, and was remanded for medical examination. He has since been examined by Dr3 Tripe and Innes, who havo pronounced him to be insane. We learn that the Masonic Hotel, of Woodville, has changed hands.Mr McKay, the incoming tenant, hiving purchased the business from- Mr Campbell, late of Wanganui. Mr John Anderson acted as valuator for Mr Campbell and Mr McLean of Napier, for Mr McKay. The Feilding Star has taken up fhe suggestion formulated through these columns for the formation of a tradesman's protection soc : ety, and has recommended it to the consid-ration of the business people of that i)lace. The second monthly meeting of tho Women's Franchise League will be h<)]d in the Fire Brigade Hall on Thursday afterneon next. An invitation to be present is cordially extended to all the women of Wangaani, and in order that tho meeting mey be opened punctually at 8 o'clock, the doors will be opened at 2.30. Mr Arthur Clampett, assisted by Mrs Clampett, gave a second sacred recital in the Oddfellows' Hall last night to an appreciative audience. Among the items rendered by Mr Clampett was Gounod's "Nazareth," "Eternal Rest" (by request), "Thus saith the Lord," " For whj mny abide the day of His coming,'.' and "Jbor He is like a refiner's fire." Mrs Olampett's contributions were a violin polo, " Avn Maria," accompanied on the pUno by Miss Claudia Price, and a piano solo. Both Mr Clampett's singing and his wife's playing were much admired ■ and afforded great pleasure. At the annual meeting of the Makirikiri Licensing Committee, held at the office of the Wanganui County Council, on Saturday last, Mr A. Higgrie presided. All licenses applied for were granted, including the packet license for the Wairere. Messrs Ellis" and Kobinson, of Mangamahu, applied in the name of Mr Ellis for a license for an accomodation houpp, and considerable evidence for and against having been taken, the consideration of tlio application was adjourned for a time. Mr Fitzlierbert appeared both on bfhal? of Mr Hatrick, for tho Wairere, and for Messrs Ellis and Robinson. Very early on Friday morning, Mr Robert Dobson died at his residence, Thomson Boad, Napier. Speaking of the sad occurrence the Hawke's Biy Herald says . — " The summons from the Great Leveller came under necularily distressing circumstances. His seven children were all down with the measles, and an eight was born on Thursday, the father being then almost in the agonies of dissolution. Deceased was the fourth son of Mr Edward Dobson, surveyor, for many years provincial Engineer in Oanterbury. He was educated at Christ's College, Canterbury, and on leaving school was for some tima in the Telegraphic Department, where he was recognised as a skilful operator. He left the department to enter the service in Christchurch of the National Insurance Company, passing from that to a more responsible position in the New Zealand Insurance Company, being appointed agent for the company in Napier. For a short period he was in partnership here with Mr Brooking, under the style of Brooking and Dobson, He later accepted the position of general manager ot the then newly-formed Mutual Fire and Marine Insurance Company, his headquarters being in Auckland. He was appointed at a guaranteed salary for a term, but finding that in his opinion tho company could not hope for a satisfactory future, he prepared a report to thnt effect and relieved tho shareholders of their liabil : ty under the guarantee. Mr Dobron then became manager of the Napier branch of the New Zealand Lonn and Mercantile Agency Company, and later, still manager of the Northern Investment Company. He occupied tho latter position at the time of his death. He wag also manager here for the Tyaer Lino Shipping Company, a combination ho had a large share in forming. He went to London in the interests of tho sheep farmera of this district, who found that the rates then charged for the conveyanco of frozen meat to London left litt'o or no margin of profit Mr Dobson's visit resulted in the formation of what was at first called the Colonial Shipping Company, and a great reduction in tho rates of freight that causod a wonderful expansion in the frozen meat industry here. Tho Colonial Shipping Company became what is now tho Ty-er line. Mr Dobson took a keen interest in miblic alt'airs, nnd atone time was a member of the Napier school committee. Of late years his health prevented much activity in public matters "