LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 15000, 15 May 1900, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

,On our front page will be found a quantity of Transvaal War news, and Postal and shipping intelligence.

At Palmerston North on Sunday someone victimised a local church congregation with a report of the relief of Mafeking,' and tha • organist played "God Save the Queen."

The employes of the Eastown Workshops have, we understand, made somewhat elaborate preparations for celebrating tbe relief of Mafeking. Thej; have manufactured h cannon, properly mounted on a gun carriage, and a band bas also been organised for the occasion. Both gun aud band will bo board on tbe day the good news comes to hand.

In view of the anticipated relief of Mafeking, arrangements are oeing made for an illuminated bieyele parade, on a large and imposing scale. The arrangements aro in the hands of Messrs D. Rowe and P. C. Price, who will be glad of the loan of bicycle lamps, Chinese lanterns and Prism lamps. The procession will be headed by a new band, the identity and composition of whieh is at present a. mystery.

Last night's Manawatu Standard says : —Mr W. R. Taylor, M.A., Wanganui, has written a patriotic son^ entitled "Colonial Patriot*," iij/ropos, of course, to the present war, and Mr .J, IL Manning bas composed appropriate martial music to the words. The range of the composition being but an octave, from D to D within the stave, the song is well suited for male voices, and as it has a good rousing chorus, it ought to be a favourite at patriotic gatherings. It has already been sung witb success at Wanganui Opera House.

Mr H, H. Jackson, Locomotive engineer of tho Waiigauui-N.ipiei- di^riot, and New "Zealand Rsiilwiaj-s, has been appointed locomotive engineer of the Hurunui-Bluff section, in succession to Mr A. L. Beattie. who replaces Mr T. F. Rotherani an locomotive superintendent for the colony. Mr T. A. Peterkin, locomotive engineer for the Wellington district, is to take tbe Wanganui and Napier districts under his control a|«o. Mr J. P. Kelly, of the Christehureh oAicg, Jias been appointed chief clerk of the locomotive branch in succession to Mv It. Triggs. Tlie Railway Audi-tor-Inspectorship, rendered vacant : by tlie resignation of Mr C. L. Russell, lias been filled by tlie appointment of Mr R. Hi«lop. stationmaster at Dannevirke. Mr H. H. Jaclsscii left for -fl eUJiigjt*)i) yebterdaj*. ------ --~ ~ -"KV/J

The suburb of Petone is to be lighted with gas at the end of this week.

The Gunnedah colliery has been closed down, with a view of subduing the fire.

Mr Cecil Williams, of Wellington, a son of Judge Williams, who has been missing for a few days, turned up safely.

According to a cable from Rome, the cone of Vesuvius is engulfed in tho crater, and the eruption has ceased.

At Wellington yesterday a large number of parents were fined for not sending their children to school.

The box plan for the Walter Bentley season, is now open at Messrs H. I. Jones and Son's. As record booking is expected those who desire to secure the best seats wou.d do well to make early application.

Mr F._ Proctor, Dunedin, inserts his business card iu this issue. Mr Proctor is well-known throughout Dunedin and goldfields as a mining secretary agent.

Acceptances for the first day's events in connection with the Wanganui J.C. Steeplechase Meetiug close at 9 o'clock this (Tuesday) evening.

Tho only case for trial at the adjourned sitting of the District Court, ivhich commences at 11.30 tbis morning, is the one against Reynold's and Swanson for alleged theft y~ money from the totalisator.

A Wellington telegram states that a mistake was made in printing the agricultural returns in the Gazette by which the docrease in area under wheat was given as 29,285 acres instead of 129,286.

The Building Committee of the Education Board has accepted Mr Zajonskowski tender for rebuilding the Greatford School, which was recently burnt down. The new school will be finished in about two months.

To-day at 12 o'clock Mr J. 11. Keesing will commence the sale, of Mrs Cole's beautiful household furniture iih! effect.'-;. The piano is a veiy good one, and the whole of the furniture is iji excellent order. The sale will be held at the residence, corner, of Ball and Glasgow Streets.

A message from Woodville states that two ..o.ioerate attempts were made to burn down the Knglish parsonage on Friday evening. The building was fired in two places, but discovered in time. The police aro investigating, but so far have not a clue.

Now the winter season has come,- the necessity of warm winter clothing is apparent 'to all. The best place to supply this want, according to Mr Hastings Moore is at the The Beehive. Mr Moore holds a large .stock of blankets, macintoshes, and general winter lines at bed rock prices.

We remind the public of the lecture on "astronomy" to be delivered by Mr J. T. Ward, in tho Baptist Schoolroom at 7.30 to-night, under the auspices of the Baptist Young Men's Society. This meeting is entirely free to all, and it is hoped friends will take advantage of such an opportunity and so mako a. crowded house.

Full particulars of the great sale of jewellery and watches to be held on Wednesday at Mr J. H. Keesing's mart will be found in our auction columns. Mr Keesing has been advised that he can recommend these goods, as they are all equal to what may be found in the best jeweller's shop in the colony.

The transmission of telegrams from Victoria to New Zealand . has been fixed at 6d per word, without regard to the minimum charge or number of words transmitted, the Cable Company receiving 3d and the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand each ld per word. This arrangement came into operation yesterday.

An Auckland telegram states that the cutter Nancy, the loss of which was reported in yesterday's Chronicle, was lying at anchor' when a squall struck her, causing her staysail to run up. This brought the vessel into the wind. The mainsail being up, the vessel heeled over, and the water filled the cabin, causing her to sink. Captain Bloomfield was below ut the time. Tho mate called out, but the cutter sank before he could get out.

Shop lifting is fortunately not very prevalent in Wanganui. Tradesmen should nevertheless keep tbeir eyes open, We are informed that one woman o.n Monday afternoon visited the show rooms of one of out drapeiy establishments and neatly stowed away a white fur boa underneath ber paddock macintosh. Hoii fever she was seen, and we understand proceedings will be taken unless tho boa reaches the owner before 12 o'clock on Wednesday.

Messrs Nolan, Tonks and Co. will conduct an important stock sale on Monday next, on the farm, Hastings and Eltham Road. Under instructions from Mr L. Webby (who has sold bis farm), Messrs Nolan, Tonks and Co., will sel', without reserve, all Mr Webby's furniture and effects, and a large range of stock, vehicles, horses, produce, etc., as well as a number of items on which there is a slight reserve. On the same occasion, on behalf respectively of Mr T. Perry and Mrs Roskruge, n number of well-bred horses will also be auctioned. The sale will commence at 12 noon, and luncheon will be provided.

Enteric fever, commonly known as typhoid, is so prevalent amongst our soldiers that it would bo well if each had a pamphlet, us published by Mr A. D. Willi's. Profe*sor Kirk's method of cure ■-; detailed by the author, wbo claims that enteric fever may often ba checked at the commencement of tbe att ick by its means. He advocates tha use of cold water, which cools, soothes, cleanses, comforts and cures when used as directed. The pamphlets are sold at one shilling oach.

Last Friday the children of the Knuaugaroa School were presented with prizes as a recognition of their ability in passing their several standards at the recent examination. Most of the pupils' parents or guardians were present to witness the eeriniony, and brought with them tbe essentials to mako afternoon tea. Mr F. H. Buckrell, tbe chairman of the Committee, presided, and in giving the prizes to the scholars he made happy little speeches of encouragement to each recipient. The special prizo for dux of the School was again carried off by Claudia Mayo, of the Fourth Standard, 'who obtained full marks in every subject. After the prizes bud been given out, and pending the brewing of afternoon tea, the slicing of cakes, etc., several of tho adults favoured those- present with letitations, songs, and speeches. Mr Buckrell sang and'iecited with dramatic nnd elocutionary ability ; Aliss A. Voting played several violin solos with excellent taste and execution ; Mr J. Murphy displayed graceful activity ii) dancing i)n Irish jig ; Mr H. G. Mayo, in a metaphorical yet powerful spsech, eulogised the teacher, Mr L. Espagne, on the success of all of bis pupils at tbe recent examination, and referred in scathing terms to the bad habit of the majirity of the parents in sending iheir children "late in the mornings to school. "He concluded by exhorting the parent*:, one and all. to take more interest in the regular and punctual attendance of their children if they desired the same good results at next examination. The good things so kindly provided by the ladies were then handed round, and all formality was, for about 30 minutes, dispensed with — for the dames go-siped, the young people laughed end recounted stories of their school days, the children ate till they were satisfied, and Iho men iij.^td tjieir tea and looked on in smiling silence. Tlie announcement made by the teacher that Mr Ruscoe's special prize would be given to the pupil who had made tbe best attendance at the end of six months, nnd the singing of "God Nave the Queen" by all present, terminated the proceedings of a very bappv 'lay- .