LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 August 1901, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

; * The reading matter on our first page includes an article relative to the Transvaal waiV , : We remind our readers of the trial today at 3.15 p.m. of Mr T. Gordon's fire escape at Dover's Hotel. Mr Thomas Mitchell's many friends will be pleased to learn that he will arrive in the colony by the next Frisco mail steamer. The Canadian Government is establishing a wireless telegraph to BeUe Isle light station for tho use of shipping. Lord Hopetoun has accepted the pat- ' ronship of the Commercial Travellers' As--1 sociation. I The Federal Postmaster-General contemplates utilising motor cars in clearing the pillar boxes. In the Divorce Court yesterday Janet S. Clark was granted a decree nisi for dissolution of marriage wifcu. Sidney Charles Clark on the grounds of desertion and adultery. A Melbourne cable says that Mr Barton Ims promised favourable consideration of the proposal to send a. rifle team to Bisley. The report of the Queensland National Bank discloses an improving demand for properties. The sales for the half-year realised a profit of over £13,000. The gross takings on Saturday at the football match New South Wales v. Otago was £269. Of this sum the New Zealand Union will get £160 net.' ' ... ..' : In our report of the civil pro isedings at the S.M. Court on Monday, we- stated that judgment went for defendant .in the case Caiman v. Cullum; it should have read judgment for plaintiff. Tho powerful fire engine ordered for the Wellington Harbour Board by Mr Ferguson during his recent trip to the Old Country arrived in Wellington yesterday morning. Damage to the extent of ten thousand sterling has been done by forest fires in Russia. The London "Daily Mail" states that it is suspected that timber merchants originated the fires in order to secure salvage. ••'...'. On Monday" evening last, at Upokongaro, Mr L. Cowan, who has been a- resident there for the past fourteen years, was, on the eve of his departure from the district, banquetted by a number of his fellow settlers. Mr A. M. Georgetti occupied the chair, and Mr Russell Grace the vioechajjr. A very pleasant time was spent. The infant son of P. Kelly, borough ranger at Woodville, two years old, fell into a creek. His mother jumped into the pool, and when the neighbours reached the spot she was under water, insensible. Some difficulty was experienced in getting her out, and she remained unconscious for 12 hours. All attempts to resuscitate her baby-failed. .'. ' The inquest on the body of Elizabeth Schmid's infant, found dead in bed, was resumed at Hastings yesterday morning. The jury returned a verdict that death was due to suffocation, but -there • was no evidence to show whether it was accidental or otherwise. A rider ,was added1 to the verdict that the mother was guilty of culpable negligence. In July of last year the Railway Department ordered a thousand waggons from Great Britain, and in order, to expedite the supply and get them for the harvest season they spread the order among a number of firms. Up to the present time only ' 410 waggons have been sent out, and of these only 20? are fitted up and running. It is expected that the whole number will be received by the end of the year. We have with regret to record the death, of another old Wanganui citizen in the person of Mr' James Bridge,, who died on Monday night. The deceased, who was born in Marple in 1837, left Liverpool in 1862 for Sydney, and two years later arrived in Wanganui, having been engaged in Australia for the late firm of Taylor and Watt, as manager of their wholesale drapery department; subsequently becoming senior partner of. the firm. of. Bridge and Ward, drapers^ of Taupo Quay. . The deceased leaves a widow and four children. The funeral is appointed to leave the Hospital this afternoon at' 3 o'clock. Writing on Sunday last, the Palmerston North correspondent of the "Wairarapa Daily Times" says: "A sensational occurrence is said to have taken place on a section of the railway last evening, near Palmerston. 'It appears from;the meagre particulars obtainea that a " driver and fireman had a grievance between one another, arid ' when a few miles from their destination the, driver threatened either to throw his mat© off the engine or deal him blows.. At the. next stopping station the -matter was reported to the guard. Considerable delay was occasioned, as the fireman refused to return to his post. Various testimonies differ as to the real nature of the trouble, some asserting that they fought it out, while others deny these allegations, but anyhow something of a sensational character occurred. Of course, these particulars are unofficial, but are nevertheless believed to be true; Both tho driver, and the fireman have been suspended, pending investigation." ;