LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1604, 9 January 1886, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A large bush fire was burning very fiercely last night on Mr Nathan's property, Foxton line, the flames ot which lit up the whol« place for a considerable distauce round. One of Reid and Gray'B .reaper andj binder machines is now to /be been afe work m Mr Pahnerson's paddock, and if working very satisfactorily.;! t> \ The Foxton paper says that arrange'meut'ii have been come to between the owners of the two boats trading to Foxtoa whbreby the opposition will cease, and both vessels run m one interest. One of the conditions under the new arrangement will be that the steamers are to leave on alternate davi, <o that m future a boat will be leaving th« port everyday. Mr W. G, Robinson is to act as agent for both steamers at Foxton. A return showing that the state of the military forces of Victoria on December 1 has been furnished to the Minister of Defence. The total strength was 5,382, as- compared with 5,632, the number provided for on the fixed establishment. The Victoritn- Artillery numbered 151 men, or 27 short of tho fixed number, and the Mounted Rifles had eight men beyond their full com plement of 1,000. The principal deficiencies were m the Victoria Rifles, audit is intended to gradually, reduce the militia force to a' peace footing of 3,000 I by not filling up the vacaucies caused by retirements. : .! '. We have boen requested, by the chairman of the Bulls Town Board, to give; a caution to smokers against the' careless use of matches. On the streets of Bulls Town District, the grass is Very long and is as dry as tinder. Several times recently fj res have, been started by the throwing down of unoxtinguished matches, but fhey were happily put out by the roadman, or some ono else who chanced to be new at hand before they I had' done much damage. The caution we may remark, should have general application. Let our readers study the telegrams m this evenings issue, and learn the importance of being careful abous fire — Advocate.