Rangitikei Notes.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11713, 18 August 1902, Page 4

Rangitikei Notes.

■(From Out Own Corespondent.)

MARION, Saturday.

Mr. Albeit. Sutcliffe has presented to the Royal Rifles two handsome silver cups ibi' shooting competitions' among the company. " After the Telegraph Ofcice closed, the .gas installation banquet was held. A representative "-.gathering- participated, including many ladies. Apologies were read from Mr. A. Hafrick' (Mayor of Wanganui). Mr. John Stevens, M.H.R., Mr. W. H. Smiht, and Mr. E. Mossman. The brilliant lighting of \he room was in great contrast to the kerosene lamps which were being used in an adjoining loom. There was an absence of any smeJi whatever, and there was nothing but praise even from ardent opponents of the installation, for Mr. Smithies and Mr. Whincap!, the newlj--appoirited manager. The* number of applications for gas havo far exceeded the expectations of the mast sanguine supporters, and the present staff of titters Arill want increasing to keep pace with the demands, all of which require immediate attention. After the toast ol "The King" had) been duly honoured, Or. Read proposed the "Army and Navy." coupi'ed with the name of Major Purnell; "Parliament of. New Zealand," Mr. Cohen, responded to by Mr. Beckett in his usual matter of fact manner; "The Engineer," proposed by the Mayor, who gave an outline of the history of the movement in 1896 to the time they had -jeen so fortunate in securing the services of the present excellent engineer (Mr. Smithies), who had carried out the work so satisfactorily, and, after spending £250 on a manager s residence, had' £200 left for extensions. Mr. Smithies, in response, congratulated the town upon doing the right thing. The average person's impressions of a town wag appearance at •night, and he considered, the Council were thus wise in lighting the streets. At first he thought the .town was too small for the light to pay, but he had reasons for altering (his opinion. It was lleftv with Mr. S. Gibbons, who proposed "The Contractors," to congratulate Messrs. Zajouskowski Bros, on the excellence of their work, and Mr. John Zajouskowskil in reply, expi-essed the pleasure he had in doing the work in which so many were interested. He hoped everyone would use it and make it a success. "The^ Visitors," in. the hands of Mr. -White, drew further congratulations from Mi*. Stunneli, Feilding, with whose name he associated the toast, on the. enterprise of Marton in installing the best and cheapest light. "The Borough of Marton, its Mayor ana Councillors" was proposed by Mr. Beckett, and responded by tho Mayor. "The Commerce -of Marton" was proposed by Cr. Robson, and responded to by t.ue President of the Chamber of Commerce (Mi*. Beckett). "The Ladies" was entrusted to Mr. Cohen, as iii invariably is, but he had an unlimited store of witticisms and humoiurs to treat his listeners to. Mr. Frank Brice responded. "The Press" concluded the list, and the gathering dispersed by singing "God Save the King" and "Auld Lang1 Syne." The tables were cleared and;the. room was soon in readiness for dancing, which, to the music of the Marton Band, was indulged in until 2 o'clock.