LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12386, 6 December 1909, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The quarterly meeting of the Wanganui Licensing Committee will be held at noon to-day. Mr J. A. Smyth, late of Chavannes’ Hotel, has purchased Mr J. T. Walker’s Westmere property. In another column a reward is offered for a purse containing money lost on Saturday evening.

Mr C. E. Mackay, solicitor, has removed into his new office, in Norfolk Chambers, Ridgway Street.

Owing to the Opera House being otherwise engaged, Hayward’s Pictures will not show till next Thursday evening, when there will be a complete change of programme. A special general meeting of the T.Y.M.I, is to be held to-morrow evening to discuss the question of forming a library and alternating to the gymnasium. The latest addition to the Telephone Exchange is No. 635, Messrs R. Parker and Son, general storekeepers and drapers, corner of Campbell and Glasgow Streets.

We are in receipt of handy calendars for next year from the New Zealand, and United Insurance Companies; also a useful railway timetable from Mr A. D. Willis’ establishment. The postal authorities advise that the Maheno, which left Sydney on Wednesday, for Auckland, has on board an English and Australian mail for Wellington, which is due here by the Auckland express this afternoon. A loud alarm of fire was sounded just before a quarter to one yesterday morning. A large number of people hurried in the direction of No. 1. Ward, only to find that a clump of toi toi on the vacant section at the rear of the Federal Hotel was the scene of the conflagration. At the Police Court on Saturday morning, before Mr J. L. Stevenson, J.P., a man on a charge of drunkenness was fined 5s and costs. A woman, on a similar charge, was convicted and discharged conditionally on her going away to friends in Australia. The Wanganui Band of Hope is convening a public meeting to-night at Mathieson Street Church, at 8 o’clock, to protest against the Defence Bill now before the House, making provision for the continuance of canteens at military camps throughout the Dominion. All parents specially requested to attend. It is stated that the special train from Wellington to Foxton for the sculling handicap had a guarantee of £200 by Messrs Messene and Easton. Only seven passengers travelled by the train. The promoters (Messrs Messene and Easton) must be heavy losers by the venture. The police at Wairoa received information on Saturday morning that a girl named Silk, 4 years of age, a halfcaste, was drowned in the Waiau River last Tuesday. As the natives kept the matter quiet for so long a doctor is being sent out with the police to hold an inquest.

The new railway timetable comes into effect to-day. There are rumours that on account of the Wellington express not arriving till 4.20 p.m. and the mail being consequently one hour and twenty minutes later than hitherto, some commercial offices intend to re-arrange the hours of their employees’ attendance. The anniversary services in connection with the Baptist Church were held yesterday. The Rev A. S. Wilson preached in the morning and the Rev E. Drake in the evening. Special anthems were sung by the choir. There were large congregations morning and evening. The annual social meeting will be held on Thursday. The pupils of the District High School, with teachers and friends to the number of about 300, last Friday held their annual school excursion by the p.s. Waimarie to Raorikia. When about a mile this side of Upokongaro the steamer ran into a heavy shower, but Captain Nichols with characteristic care and consideration erected an awning forward which kept everybody dry, and by the time Mr Connor’s woolshed was reached the sun was out and a pleasant day was spent in the bush and in the river. About 4.30 the steamer was headed for home and the wharf was reached about 6 o’clock after a most enjoyable day.

The Rev J. McKenzie. the newly-ap-pointed pastor of St. Paul’s Church, will preach his first sermon on January 9th.

The election of one member for the northern district on the Wanganui. Education Board, vice Mr W. C. Cargill (resigned), resulted in the return of Mr P. O’Dea, M.A. The voting was :— P. O’Dea (Hawera) 160, J. U. Murray (Eltham) 88, R. Neilson (Sedgebrook) 87.

The Salvation Army silver biorama had a successful season in Wanganui. On Saturday evening a great number of people assembled in Cook’s Gardens, where an open-air entertainment was given. The pictures were splendid, and the band and vocal items much appreciated Yesterday afternoon a concert was given in Queen’s Park, and last night there was a crowded audience at the Opera House, where a fine programme was presented.

The annual meeting of the Wanganui W.C.T.U. was held on Friday afternoon, December 3rd. Mrs Drake (V. Pres.) occupied the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Committee reports were presented by the various superintendents — Sick, Visiting, Literature, Evangelistic and Relief. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mrs Upton ; secretary. Miss Tucker (reelected) ; treasurer, Mrs Siddells. Two new members were received into fellowship. The secretary’s annual report stated the membership stood at 104, a gain of 3 upon last year. The treasurer’s statement showed the funds of the Union to be in a satisfactory condition. The Westmere Baptist Sunday School celebrated its anniversary last Thursday evening. The proceedings commenced with a tea held in a large marquee erected for the occasion on Mr Barrett’s property. The tables were crowded to excess, so that a second sitting was necessary for late comers. The programme, which was an excellent one, had been arranged by Mrs R. Howe and Miss Furrie, and the way in which the children rendered their items reflected great credit on the above ladies. The chair was occupied by Mr R. Howe. The following was the programme given: Pianoforte duet, Misses Imrie and May Allan; hymn, school children; prayer, Rev Wilson; Fan song, scholars; dialogue, boys and girls; Pansy song, Misses Collier, Clinton, Livingstone and Hargart; Stocking Menders, girls; dialogue, Misses Collier and D. Clinton; song, Miss Flossie Cannons; dialogue, girls; part song(Musical Housewives), girls; vocal quartette, Misses Barrett (2), Burrett and Allan. During the evening speeches were made by the Rev Wilson and Messrs Carrad and Christie.