LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 375, 24 December 1863, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

We are sorry to learn, that some .words in a paragraph in our last were understood by the men stationed here as referring to them as a body. The term objected to applied only to the men engaged iu the transactions described Neither the writer of the paragraph, nor those through whose hands it passed on its way to press, dreamed that it could be understood as applying to the detachment generally, or it would have been at once altered. The vei-y paragraph which preceded it, indeed, showed that, so far from wishing to disparage the troops stationed here, we were willing to recognise their servh.es to the utmost. We have since learned that the affair in which Wirihana was concerned turns out to have been a drunken brawl, originating in a soldier having struck, or attempted to strike, Wirihana with a cane, instead of an attempt at robbery as it had been represented to us. Mr. Liddell’s cash box was found j-esterday by the Police among some thistles they were engaged in cutting down ; the papers were left iu it, and the cash abstracted

Howe’s Assembly Rooms —'lbis Hall was opened on Monday e\ ening, Dec. 14th, with the beautiful play of the I adv of Lyons and the farce of the Swiss Cottage, which were both put on the stage in a manner which does credit to the management. The hall, which is a fine spacious building, was crowded in every part. At the rise of the curtain Mrs W. H. Foley read an Address written for the occasion after which the play commenced. The Pauline of Mrs. Foley was a beautiful piece of acting, and stamps that lady an actress of the first order, he was well supported by Mi.-s Clifford as Madame Deschappelles, Miss Pierce as the Widow Melnotte ; and Mr. Howson, as the foppish Glavis, performed in his usual style so well known to the Wanganui playgoers. The other characters were ably represented by the gentlemen amateurs. In the afterpiece of the Swiss Cottage Mrs Foley and Hr. Howson were quite at home, and kept the house in continual laughter The scenery painted by Mr Howson. lent not a little to the success of the pieces. 'I he Hall has been well filled on the evenings of performance since the Opening Night. '1 he display of meat at our butchers’ shops to-day is a striking evidence of the desire of their owners to supply us with magnificent Christmas fare. Mr J. Pawson’s show consists of a 1300 lb bullock, another of over 700 lbs. six splendid sheep, and two very fat lambs. . Mr. W Pawson exhibits an extremely fat heifer, and four sheep averaging 90 lbs each. Mr. J. Garner’s shop contains a bullock weighing about 1000 lbs, and six middliug sized, but excessively fat sheep. In short if our readers do not enjoy the merry h istmas, which we heartily wish them, it will not be the butcher’s fault. Common* School Examination. —The Annual Examination of this School took place on Tuesday, 22nd inst. Besides the Committee, many of the paients and

other persons interested in the School were present ; altogether, the attendance of visitors was much larger, and the interest shown in the progress of the children more marked, than has been known for many years. The room was very tastefully and elegantly ornamented with various kinds of shrubs, and the fragrant perfume from the flowers, of which an abundant supply was arranged- around around the walls and desks, quite gave the place the appearance of a carefully kept conservatory. Ihe pillar in the centre was covered with magnificent branches of fern, and indeed bore a s! riking resemblance to. a huge tree of that species apparently growing out of a grassy mound in the centre of the floor. The examination commenced at 11 o’clock under the superintendence of the teacher, Mr. McMinn, who was kindly assisted by some of the Members of the Committee, and in an especial manner by a number of the visitors, who all expressed themselves highly pleased with the. general good order, and the excellent system adopted The progress shown by the children in their various studios during the course of the year was really astonishing, aud certainly leffects the greatest credit on their teacher, who has evidently spared no pains or trouble in thoroughly grounding them in their various branches of study. The advance d j class, in a particular manner, deserves a word of commendation, both for the master and pupils, for the very prompt | and correct manner in which the varied j and difficult questions in mental arith- | metic, geometry, &c. were answered, | evidently showing that the boys had not i been “stewing” for the occasion, but | that it was the result of a regular, constant, and energetic method of teaching. In the interim, at 2 o’clock, refreshments wei’e handed round, and the rapid manner in which the buns, nuts, sweetmeats, ginger beer, &c. disappeared, plainly showed that the children’s appetites had | not been impaired by their severe study. The Examination recommenced by some very good recitations by boys of various ages, and the style in which “ A Song of Death,” “ The Falls of Lodore,” “ Peace to the West,” “ A Welcome to the Princess of Wales,” «fcc. Are. were recited was highly creditable, considering that it is quite a new branch in this .■ s cademy. At the conclusion of the Examination, which lasted upwards of seven hours, the prizes were distributed, in which proeeed- | ing much difficulty was experienced as to | who was the rightful owner of each, all | being so very nearly on a par ; but this j obstacle was satisfactorily removed by i giving more prizes than was at first inI tended, and all concerned were perfectly satisfied. Ihe pupils were then dismissed, after having received from their teacher a few words of encouragement to further diligence. When they had relieved their own joyous feelings by a number of hearty cheers, they all separated to their various homes, in high i spirits with the happy day they had spent, and the prospect of nearly three weeks’ vacation. Most deservedly do the Common School and its - indefatigable teacher deserve the success and encouragement which they have obtained since Mr. McMinn’s appointment to the situation. We understand that the school duties will be resumed on Monday, January 11th, 1864. The large number of Maories who have | been making their purchases for the : Christmas feasts at Waitotara and Karatia, has made our town look quite busy for the last few days, and forcibly reminded us of the good old times, before j Kingism and Waitara had brought Euro- ; peans and natives into a position of j antagonism. Some wheat was brought for sale, but the principal articles were • new potatoes, onions, cherries, and a few j gooseberries, all of which were gladly | bought at good prices, and will be as ■welcome an addition to the Christmas fare of the towusfolks, as the articles purchased by the natives with the proceeds will doubtless be to theirs. Both sides can therefore consistently and heartily wish each other a merry Christmas.