LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 376, 7 January 1864, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

If we may judge by their enjoyments during last week, the settlers of Wanga nui are very little alarmed by the wars and rumours of war in this island. Indeed, we believe we may safely assert that a merrier Chrismastide was never spent in Wanganui and its neighbourhood. Besides the usual amount of family parties on Christmas day, there was a succession of gaiety to' the end of the week. On the last day of the old year the dramatic performance at Howe’s theatre was numerously attended, there was also the usual religious dissipation of midnight services at places of worship. New Year’s day was one of the finest days we have had this summer, and the races at Rangitikei, and the ball in the evening at Turakina, atti’acted large attendances, and went off with great eclat. Nearly the whole population of our Town turned out to enjoy themselves ; while many went to spend the day at the houses of country friends, the remainder, went to the heads, or up the river, or to some one or other of the pretty spots a few miles from town,, and enjoyed themselves al fresco. A very large number went to Mr. McWilliam’s place in the Mataraua valley, where a monster pic-nic of more than 200 persons assembled, and passed the day in all soits of out-door amusements, among which feasting was of course not forgotten. The town, in fact, looked quite deserted, and when the Piinre Alfred came up in the afternoon, only about half-a-dozen persons went to the wharf to meet her ; and nearly all of these did so under an impression that it was the ITottga H'ouga that was signalled, or from expecting friends to arrive either by her, or by some early steamer from Wellington. On the 2nd there were Highland Sports at Turakina, an account of wE!ch% r will be found below ; and as it was Saturday a great part of our population li ini shed the week in some kind of gaiety, or passed the day resting quietly after the fatigue incidental to their previous enjoyments. The first Private Concert of the Choral Society is fixed for the 20tli inst., and from having heard the practiee’on Tuesday evening, we believe it will prove a decided success.

Pehi started for Taranaki on Monday with about 140 men, of whom about 15 or. 16 only are new recruits, and these only from the Kingite hapus. The new Store in course of erection by Mr. Lockhai’t on 1 Taupo-quay, was maliciously set on fireonMonday night,and but for the fire being immediately seen, and the prompt assistance of the neighbours, would probably have been entirely destroyed, together with other buildings around. It seems that at about 11 o’clock Mrs. Lockhart woke her husband, and told him she heard some one in the shop, and directly afterwards she heard some one go out, and noticed a glare of light through the glass door at the back of the shop. Mr. Lockhart jumped out of bed, and on running into the shop found a quantity of shavings, and bits of boards, which were lying on the floor round the carpenter’s bench, blazing furiously. Just at the same time a policemen, on duty, near Mr. Water’s, saw the flame bursting through the still unglazed sashes of tlie shop front, and at once gave the alarm, and ran to render assistance. The cry of “ fire” caused a rush of neighbours to the spot, and the flames were extinguished before more damage was done than scorching the woodwork ot the carpenter's bench, and nearly burning through some of the flooring boards. Suspicion fell on a man named Garratt, who had been employed to paint the premises, and had threatened to be revenged on Mr Lockhart for refusing to advance him money on account beyond what he considered the value of the work done, and who had been seen near the premises just previously. He was of course sought for, and on being arrested at his shop near the Market-place a few minutes afterwards, he at once confessed that he had set the store on fire out of revenge. He was taken before tho Bench of Magistrates on Tuesday morning, and committed for trial at Wellington.

T.U BAKINA. Highland Games. —On Saturday 2nd January, 1864, a numerous gathering ot the inhabitants of Turakina and the neighbourhood assembled on the grounds adjoining the Ben Nevis Hotel, to witness the sports. The weather was all that could be desired, and the various games were keenly contested, and appeared to give tlie lookers on great satisfaction. We are happy to say that the whole passed off very pleasantly, and with considerable eclat, the contending parties evincing the best of good nature throughout ; and we have no doubt that this will be the precursor of numerous happy meetings in future years. In consequence of the liberal manner in which the sports are patronised by the public the stewards were enabled to award handsome prizes to the various winners. The gathering was considerably enlivened by the thrillng strains of the Highlanders’ National music, the Bagpipes —it being played upon in first-rate style by Mr J. Kennedy, who we believe is a fresh arrival in those parts, and whose exertions, in the way of exquisite dancing music, materially assisted the lads and lasses in passing a very happy day'. Putting the Stone—lst prize, Robert Simpson ; 2nd, Alex. Robertson ’ 3rd, Tlios. Cameron. Pitching the Caber —Ist prize, Alex. Robertson ; 2nd, Robert Simpson ; 3rd, C. Parker. Throwing the Hammer —Ist prize, T. Cameron ; 2nd, Dugald Cameron ; 3rd, C. Parker. Flat Race —Ist prize, Robert Simpson; 2nd, John Old. Standing Jump —Ist prize, Alex. Simpson \ 2nd, Donald McLean. Running Jump—lst prize, John McLean ; 2nd, C. Parker. Sword Dance—lst prize, C. McDonell ; 2nd, Alex. Robertson. Highland Fling—lst prize, Alex. Simp son ; 2nd, C. McDonell.