WANGANUI.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 237, 27 January 1860, Page 4

WANGANUI.

Separation Meeting,—On Thursday evening, the sth January, a meeting for the above took place at the' Theatre, and was numerously and respectably attended. T. Powell, Esq., was called to the chair. The meeting was addressed by J. Gibson, Esq., formerly a member of the Provincial Council. Mr. Gibson spoke at considerable length to a very attentive audience, showing statistically that Wanganui was perfectly able to walk alone, and needed, consequently, no longer to be held in leadingstrings, which would only have the baneful effect of crippling the free use of its members. Mr. Gibson concluded by moving the following resolution -.—

That we, being electors of Wanganui and the adjoining, districts, are of opinion that Separation from Wellington is essential to our interests; and we resolve that a Petition shall be forwarded, to his Excellency, containing the necessary allegations, and requesting that such Separation be forthwith granted, and that a Committee be appointed for the purpose of causing the same to be duly prepared.

Then followed several speakers on both sides. An amendment was read, to the meeting by W. Waft, Esq., as follows :—

Resolved, that the advocates for Separation have failed to make out their cases to the satisfaction of this meeting; that the calculations of the probable Revenue are altogether too vague to be relied upon, and the Estimate of the Expenditure is altogether too low; That, until the Waste Lands, which are to constitute the wealth of the new Province, are actually purchased by the General Government, any such step as Separation is altogether premature, and its consideration hereby postponed.

Mr. Gibson replied on the general argument, after which the amendment was put' to the meeting and duly carried. Mr. Gibson's resolution was subsequently negatived.—Wanganui Chronicle.

WELLINGTON. • ■ Coroner's Inquest.—A Coroner's inquest was held yesterday on view of the body of one John.Grahame, late a fireman on board S. S. Airedale, who was accidentally drowned early on Wednesday morning last, by the swamping of a boat in which he and two others tried to reach their vessel on the morning in question. His .companions saved themselves by swimming. After hearing evidence the jury returned a verdict stating that the deceased was accidentally drowned by the swamping of a boat,'— Independent, January 6. Loyal Rose of the Valley Lodge, Hutt. —The Anniversary of this Lodge was celebrated by a dinner and ball on the 2nd instant, at the Odd Fellow's Hall, Tlutt. About 6 o'clock Mr. Wilson was .called to the Chair, and Mr. Wood the Vice-Chair, when about 50 of the i brethren sat down to partake of a sumptuous entertainment which was provided by Mr. Corbett, and consisted of every delicacy of the season, which was done ample justice to by all present. After the cloth was removed, the usual loyal, patriotic, and fraternal toasts were given and respouded to in the most hearty njahner. After 'the f toasts 'were disposed of, the Hall was cleared for the ball. The dancing commenced at 9 o'clock.' The ball was, attended. by all the beauty and fashion of the district,

there were upwards of 100 persons present, and, although the hall was a little crowded, all seemed to^eujoy-themselves amazingly. Dancing was kept up with, great spirit until, an early hour, when the'scomp'any separated, and' expressed themselves as having enjoyed a first rate evening's, entertainment.— lbid..-

:Fi.res-in ; 'the Upper Hutt.—For some time past a series of bush fires have occurred ia this neighbourhood, of such, a character a§ not only: to cause a great destruction of property, hut also to endanger the lives of the inhabitantsOn account of the length of time since any rain has fallen, the brushwood is easily set on fire, *aud parties at this season of the year canuot be too cautious how they set fire to any bush or rubbish, for it is quite impossible to say what damage any such fire might do. We are sorry to have to record the almost total destruction'of Mr. Plimmer's Steam Saw Mills, which took place on Sunday morning about 1. o'clock, and there is every reason to believe it was the act of an incendiary, as from the position of the ,place where the fire first,broke out it was impossible that any sparks could have fallen. One engine has been entirely destroyed, and the whole of the framework of the buildings. The clothes of a child named Onslow caught fire, while playing in the bush on Friday, and it was with difficulty the clothes were stripped off by i(s parents in time to save it from a fearful death. The child, although very much injured, i=t^ we are informed, not in a dangerous state.— N Z Advertiser, January 11.