LOCAL AND UENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11919, 22 January 1894, Page 2

LOCAL AND UENERAL.

We regret to have to announce the docease, after a painful illnes3, of Mr Arthur Roweel Baker, of St. John's Hill, Wanganui. The Bov. Harold Peter3, of the JUaptist Church, Wang»nui, has bpen gazetted m an officiating clergyman under the " Mar riage Act. Mr Mellsop, f ormorl/ of tho Bank of New i Zealand, Wanganui, has been transferred from Auckland to the Managership of the branch of the Bank at Mnnaia, Mr and Mrs Mollsop havo just tukon up their residence at thoir now borne. The Foilding Lawn Tennis team, consisting of Messrs BartoD, Lance, Mildred, and Brabant, arrived here by train on Saturday evening. Tho match against the Wanganui Club will probably begin this morning at 11 o'clock. All members and their friends are invited to attend. To dny will be observed as a close holiday in town. With good veather, a very pleasant holiday should be enjoyed by old and youug. Between the Caledonian sports at St. John's Hill, the upriver and Heads picnies, Sunday School treats, and private parties, there should be variety enough for people of all tastes. Thore is a man in a country town in Canterbury who lias had three wives, two more than fall to the lot of most people. Two aro dead, which goes without saying, aud are buried in ono plot, with ono graveetouo for the two. At the bottom is the text, "Lord come quickly," to which some ribald person, evidently in the know, has addod, " and take the other one." — Truth. We understand that arrangements have been made between the Government and the Wanganui Harbour Board to procure the services of Mr Leslie H. Reynolds to inquire into the condition of the river and to draw up a report thereon. Mr Reynolds commences his work to-day, and doubtless his report will be of much value and interest, as he is a specialist in marine engineering and hat had considerable experience in his profession under some of tho most eminent engineers of Britain, Wo understand Hint ho was for some timo on the stuff cf the lute Sir JohnCoode.

Tho Marist school buildings and monastery were consecrated yesterday at 10.30 a.m., the Very Bav. F-ither Kirk officiating, assisted by Very B«v. Dr. Waters, of Wellington. After fcha consecration, Mii3s wasaung by thoJlev. Father Hickson, tho choir B:nging Furmor'? Miss in B Flnt. The Very Rev. Doctor Watters preached a most impretsivo sermon on the subject of religious education and was intently lißtoned to by a large congregation. Duriu" tho "Offertory" a collectiouwns mado in aid of the building fund for tho new schools. In the evoning eolemu Vespers were sung bv tho Very Bov. Father Kirk, the Rev. Father Hickson proaching. At the close of tho service the Very Bev. Father Kirk announced that the collection made that morning amounted to over £200. A curious and altogether unexpected rosuit of the tunnelling operations in tho St. CioMiard is a lawsuit instituted by the inhabitants of the neighbouring valleys. They sue the Federal Government for damages caused by the great increase of avalanches which constantly thunder down the mountain side, produced, it is presumed by the explosions of dynamite more than by the vibrations of passing trains in tho lower tunnels of the railway. Many witnesses who have lived in the i neighbourhood since the early part of the century w.ll swear to the greatly augmented number and forceof theavalanches that now constantly sweep destruction down the mountain. The iirst hearing of this novel case comes before the Federal Judges assembled a^ Belliuzona. Tho Auckland Horald status that tho i other day a woman, who by hor appearance looked not in tho best of circum- [ stances, though events proved that attire is not everything, picked up on the steps of the post-office, a bulky pocket-book, which on opening, 6lie saw contained money. Without counting tho sum she took the book to the countar clerk, who found it contained £M, principally in sovereigns. ' Later on tho book and its contents were claimed by someone wearing the garb of a clergyman, who on being told that a lady had found it, is said to have observed, " Then, of course, he could not offer hor anything " for what sho had done, and then re-pocketod his pocket-book and walked off, The Christcharch Cycle Manufactory gives employment to nearly 80 hands, while four years ago tho total rftaff of workmen and others in the trade wan about 10. Messrs Adams, Curties, and Co are the leading makers, and they em ploy 50 hands nl their works in the maim factnre of "Star Cycles." Mr F N. Adams, the senior partner of the firm, arrived here yesterday with the object of arranging for the sale of the machines in this district on the eaßy payment system, which hat been tho means of developing the trade in Christchurch and other parts of New Zsaland, and has brought two samples of " Stars," both np to date in every detail, and they will be exhibited at the Caledonian Sports ground today, when Mr Adams will be glad to see all those interested in wheeling. Our roads are suitable for the use of cyclos, and in this connection it may be noted that Mr Adams and Mr E. P. Clarkson, an old Christchurch rider, rode with ease from Palmerston via Fiolding, Awahuri.Sanson, Bulls, Marton, and Turakina to Wanganui, and found the roada Al. If Mr Adams finds that there is sufficient inducement arrangements will be made for an exhibition of all tho novelties in cycles, such as spokeless wheels, change gear, rscers, light roadsters and ladies' cycles. The latter pattern is used in Christchurch by 100 ladies, and they uro recommended by many of the Chißlchureh doctors. To give our readers an idea of the popularity ol cycling it may be mentioned that quito 3000 cyclea are in uso in Canterbury. Caludonian Sports.— On the ground Mr F. N. Adams, of Adani6, Curtios, aud Co., Ohrietchurch,wiUexhibittwo samples of " Star Cycles." Conro and too tho Record Machinos. Easy payments. £8 depoßtt. 30s per month. Monday next being the day of the Caledonian Sports, visitors to Wanganui will have tho opportunity of being photographed at Mk Martin's Studio undor his present coupon system. This is a chance that none should lose, as these favourable terms will not bo continued indefinitely.— Advt.