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Wanganui Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 6927, 9 October 1889, Page 2

A bye-election for Peterborough, in Northamptonshire haß resulted in tho return of Mr Morton, a Parnellite. This is a gain to the Home Rule party as the late member was a Conservative. Queen Natalie is still dissatisfied with the divorce granted by the Servian Metropolitan, and is petitioning the Skuptschim to annul it. Bismarck has assured the people of Hamburg that tho peace of Europe, in his opinion, is secure. England, he says, is like a fat ox chewing the cud, instead of being a mad bull. There are still a few " spasmodic " strikes al the London Socks, but nothing serious is now anticipated. Boulangism may bo said to havo died a natural death at the lato French elections. The figures show the stato of parties to be — Republicans 235, Radicals 126, Monarchists 108, Bonapartists 62, and Boulangists 45. At the wool sales prices remain unchanged. We direct attention to Mr A. Johnson's adveitisement in this issue. A cheque for £5 has been found and left with us, to be handed over to the owner on identification. The bowling green will be re-opened on Saturday afternoon. It is in Bplondid order just now, and looks a perfect picture. Yesterday Mr D. Ross packed the handsome tablo whioh has been on viow in his window for some months, for the Dunedin Exhibition, where it is sure to attract conattention. Mr Blomfield's Wanganui sketches have attracted considerable attention in Auckland, and the artißt has been highly complimented by Sir William Fox for the fidelity with which he has carried out his pictures. In a passing allusion (says the Post) at tho Wesley Church last night, io the disclosures made by the Bey. Mr Munro as to the social condition of Auckland, the Rev. J. Berry declared the state' of affairs in Wellington to be just as bad, Waipa is an ill-omened constituency. Of the five members who have at different periods represented it in Parliament, three havo met with violent deaths. Mr M'Minn was killed by a fall, Mr F. A. Whitaker shot himself, nnd now Major Jackson has disappeared. — Post. Yesterday Mr George Sheriff was the recipient of a handsome pair of slippers and a number of floral tributes from the little girls who acted as fairies iv " Pygmalion's Dream " given a fow weeks back in aid of St. Mary's Organ Fund. The practical portion of the examinations of Captain Shields, Lieutenants Neill and Harold, took place at tho Drill Hall last night, when tho candidates got through their work in good style, and in a manner that must have fully satisfied the examiners, who were Colonel Stapp and Major Watt. Yesterday Messrs Notman and Cattcll left for New Plymouth as a deputation from the Underwriters' Association here to meet the Taranaki agents and revise the tariff in some particulars. Tho Native Minister, who was interviewed in Marton with reference to the continuation of tho North Island Trunk Railway, said that the line would be extended to the Awarua Block as soon as the purchase of the land had been concluded, and that the negotiations for tho purchase would be carried on as rapidly as possible. — Advocate. We hear on good authority that Sir Harry Atkinson is likely to contest the seat north of Wanganui which it is supposed will come down to the Waitotara' River. By doing so he would avoid the unpleasant duty of meeting the settlers who are compelled to pay the New Plymouth Harbour Board rate, who, on his own assurancos, expected they would not be called on to pay anything for 20 years.

Mr Blair's exhibition of work openod in Mr Sherriff's studio to-day is well worthy a visit. Tho young ladies who have boon under his tuition for tho last few months have achieved wonders, and wo hope the support Mr Blair may receive here will fully justify his decision to remain among us for some time longor, as there oan bo no doubt but that as a teacher it would bo difficult to find his superior.

It may be taken for granted that tho circular just issued by the Defcuco Office has reference both to Captain Soinmorvillo (who hus passed the examination for his majority, but will not resign his command of the Alexandras) and Hon. Major Purnell (who has been asked to take the Captaincy of tho Wanganui City Rifles). It says that Mr Fergus has made up his mind that offlcors abovo the rank of Captain shall not be allowed to command corps.

Wo have not for a long time known moro enthusiasm to be shown over a bazaar than is being exhibited in connection with the Childrons' Home Gift Sale which opened to-day. If the ladies can only sell one half of what they havo collected they will do splendidly. Mrs Cronier lias a produce stall that includes everything from asparagus to half a sheep, Mrs Barnicoat and Mrs Smith control the flower stall, and anticipate a lively domand for button holes, while Mrs Ballance, with quito a bevy of fair assistants, Ims a fancy work atall, in which some excellent goods are displayed. Mrs Stewart, assisted by anumber of young ladies, is to have tho refreshment booth. A Gipsy's tent is providod, in which a mysterious visitor is to tell fortunes, and tho arrangements all round scorn to bo as complete as possible to achieve the objoet of inducing people to spend their monoy on a good object. We wish them eyery Buccees,

It has been ascertained that the cargo of coal on board the William McLaren was insured in the North Queensland Office for £700.

Captain Edwin wires the 'following at 1.15 p.m. to-day : — North to west and south-west gale within the next 12 hours, with glass falling, and heavy sea. There are indications of rain.

The Chilians have (says a Home paper) evidently discovered the secret of longevity. From a recent return it appears that nearly 500 persons out of a total of 2,500,000 are upwards of a hundred years old. One man puts his age down at 150, making himself the oldest man in the world. After him comes a woman aged 138 j two women and one man report themselves at 135 ; 132, 130, and 127 each have a representative, while there are seven 125 years old, eight 120, twenty-seven 115, and no less than ninetyone aged 110. But they are mostly coloured persons. The whites in Chili are cut down like flowers at the early age of 90 or so.

Sergeant Reid, the winner of the Queen's Prize at Wimbledon, arrived at Glasgow on July 22, and received an enthusiastic reception. The railway station was surrounded by a vast crowd, and a guard of honour, formed of eight regiments, and including a number of post oflice employes, led by tho postal band, were massed on the platform, and cheered lustily as tho train entered the station. The bnndplayod " See tho Conquering Hero " and national airs. When the Queen's prizeman alighted from the train he was at once seized by an enthusiastic crowd, and borne amid cheers to tho headquarters of the engineer corps to whioh he belongs. Here his health was drunk, and he replied in suitable terms.

Already (says the New Zealand Herald) speculation has begun as to the candidates for the Waipa district, which has been rendered vacant by the death of Major Jackson. The names mentioned are Mr J. M. Shera, Mr S. Vaile, and Mr W. S. Allen. The last-named gentleman sat for some years in the House of Commons for New-castle-under-Lyne, and was a member of the Radical party. He came out to New Zealand, and purchased a considerable amount of property in various districts. He ia at present on his way out again, after a short visit to England, and may be expected in Auckland by next 'Frisco steamer. It is said that while he was here ho stated that he would have no objection to go into politics.