LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 378, 11 February 1864, Page 3

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

Christchurch Parishioners Meeting.—At the adjourned meeting on Thursday evening Messrs. Boyle and .Bradley.reported that £GQ might he depended on, as proceeds of the 3rd year’s guarantee and arrears promised to be paid, and a few pounds more would probably be got from persons whom they had not been able to see. They also stated the various reasons assigned for refusing to pay, most of which had reference to some objection to the minister. A long discussion followed, during which most conflicting opinions were expressed The Curate’s teaching was too “ high Church” to please some, and too “ Latitudinarian” to suit others. Some thought him too zealous in rebuking the faults of his flock, and inculcating their duties as Churchmen ; while others respected him for his conscientious discharge of this part of his work, while his direct dependence on the parishioners offered so strong an inducement, to neglect it. Some thought the evil’lay in this very dependence, and in the minister being the parishioners’ nominee ; and others that his former con nexion with the Industrial chool was the origin of the dislike. Some liked him greatly as a man, but disliked him as a minister, while injjothers thejdislike was a personal one which they carried into church with them. One party thought those who objected to support' the minister ought not to retain tlieir sittings, to the exclusion of persons who would gladly contribute if they could only get accommodation in the Church ; and the other objected to being driven from the Church merely because they disliked the minister; Iu fact the only tangible objection offered was that the minister seems tovisit among his flock less than they think lie might do, and evidently seem to desire ; and even to this, it was replied!that while the stipend was so much in arrear, it seemed hardly fair to expect a full. discharge of a part of the duty necessarily attended with more or less expense. Ultimately the meeting was adjourned for another fortnight, to afford time for the' 3rd year’s guarantee and arrears to be collected, and the exact amount of the deficit required to be made up to be ascertained. Auction Sale. —Mr. Edward Lewis’ Sale of the Stock, &e., belonging to the estate of the late Thos. shields, Esq., on Friday, 29th ulfc., was a very successful one, and the prices realized were eon-

sidered very satisfactory The total amount realized was we understand over i: 1600. The dock of merino sheep were sold as follows :—the ewes, all ages, 25 5. per head ; the wethers, all ages, including the wether lambs from 3 to 6 months old, 17s. ; the ewe lambs from 3 to 6 months old, 265. There*were also sold 300 ewe lambs from the Sock of Messrs. Alexander and Peat, at Kai-iwi about sdmonths5 d months old, at 265. each. A good many mares aud horses were sold at fair prices, ranging from .£l2 10s. to i. 36 each. A good inducement was offered to the trade on Tuesday in the sale of the goods ex Canterbury by Messrs. Gudgeon <k Go. Martell’s case Brandy sold at 555., Geneva -485., bottled Porter 14., Teas 86s. to 107 s. lOd. per chest, Cheddar Cheese in tins Is. 4d per lb., Mauritius sugars 5-Jd, and-Sperrn Candles Is. per lb. Prize Firing. —The regulations for the firing for the Provincial Government Prizes for this district are published in Mondays Gazette. The Prizes for each district (Wanganui and Rangitikei) are 12/, 8/ and 5/, and are to be competed for by any Militiaman or Volunteer who sends in bis name to the Captain of his company during the present month. The firing is to take place between 14th March and 14th April,—s rounds each at 100, 200, and 30(1 yards, standing. We shall pub llsh the details next week. The New Wharf. —lt has been found necessary to depart entirely from the plans for this wharf drawn in Wellington, which involved an outlay of .4.3000. This plan was 1 thrown overboard, and Mr. Field was requested to draw new plans and specifications, which he finished on Tuesday last. It is proposed, if the money and timber given by Government will allow of it, to make a solid embankment about 120 feet in length along Taupe-quay, and projecting from the roadway 100 feet, or as far as low-water mark. From this, exactly opposite Nixon-place, a wharf will run straight into the river 100 feet long and 40 feet broad As soon us further accommodation is required, it may be obtained by building a- wiu-uff of any needed length at right angles to the one now to be constructed.

The Wanganui Bridge. —The Bridge Committee have resolved on a wooden structure, iu the same place as was to be occupied by the bridge begun by the Government. The reaons for this resolution have not been divulged, nor the division, for we understand they were not unanimous in their resolution. We can only say, i: better half a loaf than no bread.” Amateur Theatricals. —We were much gratised by the amateur perform ance of our military friends v.t Howe’s Concert Rooms on Monday evening ; and although there was a good attendance we should have liked to have seen a few more of the e’/ e of the district supporting the endeavours of those striving to amuse us. Colour-Sergeant Pleywood was in his best vein, and was ably supported, especially by Sergt. Hardman and the facetious Corporal Borrins. Miss Clifford was quite at home ; and Miss'Fierce, so soon as she has conquered a slight nervousness which hurries her speech, will make a good actress. Ihe drosses were good ami got up at considerable expence. We hope to see a good attendance this evening. The Bishop of Wellington visited this place during the past week, aud on Sunday morning preached in Christchurch twice to overflowing audiences, after which he held a confirmation service, at which fifteen young persons were con firmed. The Natives who went north some weeks ago have all to a man returned Pelri, with the last of the party, arrived on Tuesday morning at Kaiwhike, where a meeting was to be held yesterday to decide on future proceedings.