LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 357, 20 August 1863, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Andrew Reid, Esq., of Fordell, whose death it is our painful duty this week to record, was a member of a family for several generations highly respected in the town of Paisley, in Scotland. There is not in the county of Renfrew at pre sent a gentleman more highly respected as a legal practitioner than his surviving brother, William Reid, Esq. Asflgards his connexion with this colony, the late Mr. Reid was amongst the earliest purchasers of land from the New Zealand Company, and arrived in the country (in which, except for a shoi't interval, he has since resided) by the Martha Ridgway on her second voyage hither. He was consequently one of the oldest settlers in this province. For mauy years known and beloved in this district, it is not surprising that his mortal remains, on the 18th inst., were followed to their last resting place, in the new cemetery at Mataraua. by such a numerous and highly respectable company, and preceded, too, by no fewer than three ministers of the gospel. In the present circumstances of the country, one of the most interesting features of the sad cortege was the very considerable sprinkling of the native friends of the lamented deceased who appeared in it—-all most becomingly attired, and most respectful, feeling, and solemnised in their demeanour. May the Lord graciously approve himself the husband of his bereaved widow, and father of his three fatherless, though noc unpro vided for, children, and the comforter of his near connexions in Fordell, old aud young, whose hearts have been deeply wounded ' by his removal from them. A meeting of the Wanganui Steam Navigation Company was held at the Phoenix hotel on Monday, for the purpose of electing directors. The following gentlemen were chosen, Messsrs. T. Waters, J. Handley, T. B. Taylor, J. Cameron, Jas. Alexander, G. Beaven, H. Churton, P. Imlay, and W. C. Hylton. We have much pleasure in announcing that the Wanganui Bridge Bill has received the Governor’s assent. We are given to understand that his Honor the Superintendent will appoint the Committee recommended by the Bench of Magistrates here ; and we trust that, when appointed, they will avail themselves of the latitude allowed in the act to the utmost necessaiy extent to secure us a perfect Bridge. Choral Societx. —We have much pleasure in calling attention to an advertisement, which appears in our columns, announcing a preliminary meeting to be held on Monday next at the Shool-room of the■ • English Church, to discuss the

practibability and ffesirab'ility'pf forming a Musical "Association in this Town, on the plan of the Auckland and Wellington Choral Society. We believe that there is quiet sufficient musical’ talent' here to warrant the expectation, that such a -scheme shall not fail through lack of Singing Members, - and we hope that the formation of at least a Stringed Band may be discussed. But we must not expect too much at once. Even if we were to commence with a mere Singing Class, it would be one step in a right direction. We are told there are Singing Classes in connection with fjhe Wellington Society, which are looked upon as’very valuable feeders. But of course the intimate ob ject of a Choral Society is the attainment of the highest level of Concerted Music—the rendering of complete Aratorio.s, Cantatas, Pastorals, and the like—and we know that this has bien done in nearly all the towns of New Zealand except our own. , Now we see no good reason why Wanganui should remain behind her neighbours, either in Music or anything else. All that .is necessary to put the Wanganui Choral Society on its legs is “ a long pull, a strong pull, and (above everything) a pull altogether ” ; and we believe that if that if this were done, not only in this case, but in all others, nei'neither “The Capital,” nor “The Empue City” "would “have tho pull” of Wanganui much longer.