Local Intelligence.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 193, 31 May 1860, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

The Queen’s Bikth-day. —Thursday last was held here as a holiday, and the presence of the Volunteer Corps added considerably to the interest felt by the inhabitants in the demonstrations of loyalty usually made by the troops on such occasions. The military and volunteers, under Lieut. Colonel Wyatt, were inarched to the Market-place, formed open column of divisions right in front a d wheeled into line, the volunteer cavalry under Capri Cameron on the right, then the royal artillery with two 3-pounders, the detachment of the 65th regt. in garrison here, commanded by Cupt. Biewitt, in the centre, and the volunteer rifles under Major Cooper on the left. At 12 o’clock the royal artillery fired 7 guns, and a feu de joie ran down the front rank and up the rear of the infantry. Three rounds of this firing having been completed, the troops presented arms, while the band played the National Anthem. They then shouldered and ordered arms, and joined in three hearty cheers in honour of her Majesty. They formed open column of*divisions right in front, marched past in slow and quick time, advanced, hailed, and again presented arms; then formed four deep, and marched along Taupo Quay and up Victoria Avenue to the Rutland Hotel,''w hen each detachment filed off to its own parade ground. The cavalry and a party of the rifles held a field day in the afternoon on the Race-course, in presence of a number of spectators, among whom was a considerable proportion of ladies. The volunteers looked, remarkably smart iu their uniforms, and w r ent through the movements with the steadiness of veterans.

A number of gentlemen dined together in the Rutland Hotel in the evening in honour of the occasion; arid, later still, a ball was held, which was numerously attended, and was pronounced by some who were present as one of the most agreeable they had ever attended.

The annual meeting of the Wanganui Common School Association was held on Tuesday evening, 15th inst., at the Rutland Hotel. It was thinly attended, but those present were the friends of the institution.

Mr. Alexander was called to the chair. .The treasurer laid-the report on the table, which was read by Mr. George; when it was proposed by Mr. P. Bell, , and seconded by Mr Hackett, that the Report be adopted and printed in the ‘ Chronicle.’ Mr. D. Bell proposed, and Mr. Speed seconded a. motion, —that the meeting 'proceed

to elect a new committee; when the following gentlemen were elected, —Messrs. Watt ( Treasurer), Peter Bell, Tlios. Flannery, E. Hackett, Peter McVVilliam, Thos. Me William, and J. A. Burnett.

Mr. Hackett proposed, and Mr. George seconded, a vote of thanks to the retiring committee.

A meeting of the Volunteer Rifles was held on Saturday evening, in the Theatre, for the purpose of electing officers for No. 2 Cornpan D. Porter, Esq. was elected Captain, and Messrs. Davidson and Alfred Ross Lieutenants. On Monday morning a division was made of the Corps into two companies. If! has been suggested, that as the permanent uniform cannot be had here, an, order should be sent to England for the number required—the measurements being; taken here-—and half the amount of the probable expense paid before the order is sent off, the other half to he paid when it is executed. We fear that it will be difficult to fix on a general parade day once u week ouitablo for ftU parties. The country members would prefer Thursday, at 12 or 1 o’clock; hut as that is a very inconvenient day for townspeople—might not two days be set apart, the members to attend oa the one that best suits their convenience ?