LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 9118, 19 May 1880, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

HAinroNic Society. — The second concert of tho season will bo given to honorary members on Thursday, 27th i instant. An attractive programme is now under rehearsal. New Pkemises.— We notice that Mr James Laird's fine new two-storied building on Taupo Quay is completed, and that he has resumed Ilia business in it with an extensive stock. Our Conteiepobaey. — We are glad to observe that, following the example ' set by the Cueoiucle, our local con- ' temporary has likewiso considerably enlarged his borders. Sale op Privileges. —Mr F. R.. . Jackson will sell at half-past two ; o'clock to-day, at the St Hill~sfcreet i Yards, the right to one booth and re- , froahrnent booth, and the gates, cards, i and totalisator for the Wanganui ; Schooling Steeplechases, to be run at i Aramoho oa the 2<l!h. '• Eitha Xeains.— On the Queen's • Birthday a train wilL leave town at 1 12.15 noon, arriving at Palmerston at 5 5 p.ra, A train will also leave Palmerton at G. 25 a.m., arriving in town at 11.10 a.m. Tho usual 415 p.m. train from town will not leave on that day till 5.15 p.m. The Aeetiitjsa Company. — Rip Van Winkle was performed last night at the Princess Theatre to a very fair house, the principal character being taken by Mr Burford, whoso acting and make-up were both admirable. Miss Vivian made a very good Dame Winkle, and th« rest of the Company ably sustained the minor parts. To-night "The Woman in Red " will be presented, and is announced as the last performance of the Arethusa Company during their present stay in Wanganui. Ijipoetant to Electors. — Mr Gr. W. Woon, the Registrar of Electors, Wauganui, notifies in another column that claims to vote may be made at any lime during the year, and can be sent free through the Post Office, addressed to him at the Courthouse. It may be interesting to electors who may at any time contemplate leaving the district to know that, alter residence for a period of one month in any other electoral district, they ma 3', upon application to the Registrar here, have their names transferred to the Elector?! Koll of such district. Our.SELVES. — Referring to the enlarged size of t!io CimosiCLE, the Kangitikei Advocate says : — " We notice that our contemporary, the Wanganui Chhonicle, has taken advantage of the increased growth of business in Wanganui, and tho consequent pecuniary benefit derived therefrom, to add very considerably to its former size, and the first issue in its enlarged form was published yesterday morning. The Ouiioniulb is a paper of old standing in AVangunui, and one which has always endeavoured to protect and forward the best interests of those among whom its lot has been castj while its able leading and other matter has contributed largely to the substantial support which it possesses at the hands ot tho public at the present time. We congratulate tho proprietor of tho paper on his enterprise, and wish him every success in his improved undertaking." Foxro.Y iloi'.s.— Mr E. Oaborno, of the Fostou lteady Money Store, informs the Mnimwalu Herald that a few days ago some Poroulawhao natives offered for sale at his store a sample of hops, grown by them. They vs-ere'"of excellent quality, much better than the imported article, and Mr Ojborno is convinced that ten ounces .of those locally grown would prove quite as good as a pound of imported. The natives were highly pleased at the price- received for thenproduct, and expressed their determination to grow more, it' they were encouwged. The occasion referred to vras tin 1 Ji; st. upon which Iho natives had (.fl'ered ho >s for sale, they having previously iKed all (hey had grown. .Having discovered that tho article is a niarkct'iblo commodity, rtu.l bniicja a goxl price, th'-y are almost certain to grow a considerable quantity next year. 'J'jik l'i;.-;r-> oi.' Svl>ni;v. — Complaints iii'f iu;ide that lari'ikini.sm has csUiblisli.'d a rei-n of terror in tho Alexandria .suburb.! of (Sydney. The Sydney Municipal Council d,-;cid'\l to bring i this mutter under the ai-t-ulioa of the police, but it was resolved lo suppress i n .hU'S, the Cuuiicilloi'iS v. ii.i p.irtici- I pfctcd m ti.e- ducifi'ii iao uii^us v\ ho li'.vt evidence for uelievinj thut i.crsniß aud /-I'-^ui'ty :.ro c^diu^eivJ.

Pictorial EiJUiK. — Tlu> ngoiifc for the above iiiblc is now iv Wangauui, aiid | will at once wait on the aubacribcrs. i Musicpal Auditors. — Those funcUonaries will be elected on the lat June. Nominations for the office close at noon, on the 22nd instant. Gas Stoves. — The Wanganui Gaa Company have just received a fresh shipment of gas stoves from Melbourne, and they nre now on view at the officsa of the Company, Kidgway-street. Accident. — A little boy, son of Mr W. IT. Gibson, of Arahonio, broke hia arm on Saturday by a fall from his horse. 110 U being attended by Dr. Donaldson, and is doing well. Moke CorrEK. — The Nelson Colonial says o.ne of the parties who have been engaged in road work at the Tophouse, haro specimens of copper ore which they found in the neighbourhood. Pr,T3UKo-i'2fisiJMoifiA. — The Ashburton Guardian is slill advocating the stoppage of cattle export from tlio North to the Middle Island, but until the disease spreads this way, of which there is no chance, the Government cannot interfere. Desthuction of Hares . — The Bruce Herald comments on the wholesale slaughter of hares which is going on in the vicinity of Miltnn, in the Otago district, niul adds that, if it is not stopped, thoao animals will soon be nearly exterminated. Important Sams op Fueehold. — Messrs Ashforth and Lilliton will submit to auction to-day, at 3 p.m., Mr John G. Sharpo's house and grounds, facing Plymouth, Wicksteed, and Campbell Streets. The same firm will afterwards aubmit to auction some land belonging to Mr 11. C. Jiarle, fronting the Avenue and Wickateed-street. Mb Beayen'h Estate. — The Feilrling Guardian says : — The estate of Mr Beaven, in Marton, in which originally 10s in the £ waa offered, will now only realise Cs. The creditors were not satisfied with tlie 10s offered, and requested the debtor to reconsider the case and make a fresh offer. Meantime fresh losses were sustained, property further depreciated, and when the second offer was made it was for Gs in. the £, which vro believe has been accepted. PiiESEnvED Meats. — Home papers state that there is evidently a very extensivo liking for preserved meats as they arc now presented to the public, and fresh novelties iv the supply are almost continually being brought forward. Besides beef and mutton, in almost endless variety, with tongues and soups in every imaginable form, to suit persons of all ranks and degrees, there arc preserved rabbits, turkeys, and chicken, so that the greatest perplexity besetting consumers now may be said to be, not an assortment to select from, but what is the best article to choose. Independently of the meat in tins, there have again been liberal arrivals of fresh meat during the past month, and all has gone into consumption without delay, placing it beyond a doubt that in this and many other similar cases the supply first creates the demand, and then the want that is thus clearly left leads to a redoubling of the efforts to moot it. Cumoys Discovery. — The Otago Daily Times reports the discovery of portions of the skeleton of a very large fish 14ft below the surface of the ground at the gasworks. The formation of the ground thereabouts consists of blue clay, interspersed with oyster and cockle shells to the depth of at least 30ft. In this bed fish remains are often found, but those recently discovered are of a peculiarly interesting character. The vertebra of a whale were found on the fiat about seven years ago, when the old gasholder was set, and those recently brought to light were found in the excavation which is now hein# made for the new gasholder. The bones are those of an enormous swordfish. The sword bone is about 4ft> in length, and is 4in in breadth at the wide end. The tail fin has also been found, and is of proportionately large dimensions. A number of the vertebras and portions of the flu, as well as other pieces of bone, have been got out, and are in a capital state of preservation. It is roughly estimated that the fish must have beea 18Et long, so that, should the entire skeleton be obtained, it will be a very interesting specimen. Miss Leaf m Melbourne.— The following notice of Miss Leaf's first appearance in Melbourne, in the part of Josephine, ia from the Melbourne Ago: — "To the performance of 11. M.5. Pinafore at the Theatre Royal, on Saturday night, there was littlo more than ordinary interest attached, inasmuch as the part of Josephine, which had since the first night of the present production of the operetta been suastained by Misa Maggie Moore, had, owing to that lady's departure for Adelaide, to be undertaken by Mis 3 Annie Leaf. Hitherto Misa Leaf has only appeared as Buttercup, a part which did not at all suit her, and consequently her performance in that character has only been fairly successful. Her singing on Saturday night showed that her voice was more fitted to the music of Josephine's part, and sho must bo congratulated on having acquitted herself with more than ordinary success. The lady has an excellent soprano voice, and without drawing comparisons it may bo said that the part of Josephine waa never better sung in Melbourne than it waa on the oocaaion under notice. Added to her vocal gifts, Miss Leaf haa the advantage of a graceful figure. In the son;;, 'Sorry her Lot,' she made an excellent impression, which was strengthened by her finished rendition of the music in the duot with Halph, ' llufi'tiin, Audacious Tar.' " AirornEE Caxal Entejuvrtse. — Ae> cording to the plans prepared by Herr Dahlstrom, to whom a preliminary concession for the enterprise has been granted, the proposed ship canal from the Baltic to the J>forth Sea will be traced from the Bay of Kiel to Brunsbuttnl, iv the estuary of the Kibe. Its depth throughout is to be 20 feet 0 iuches ; its width at the surface of the water IGO feet, and at the bottom G-J, feoc, the banks consequently having a, very gentle slope. Provision will moreover be made, by the adoption of a peculiar syntem of locks and reservoirs, for increasing the depth of the water to 25 or 20 feet whenever it may bo desirable to do so ; and this depth will allow of the passage through the canal of the heaviest German ironclad afloat — the Ivonig Wilhclm, a vessel of 9G'»3 to:is displacement, and the largest ship in the German navy, drawing only 20 feet. The canal can, it is calculated, be completed in)six years, and will, it is estimated, cost £3,750,000, or about two millions und a qu.irtcr loss than the ealimutcs undo afcr years ago of the coil of constructing a canal Sl'fect deep and 22-i feet wide at the surface of the w.iter. In size, it may be added, the prupo.s'il Uallio and North Sea Canal does not compare unfavourably v.itli the Sue;: Canal, the width of this at the surface ol tlio wn'cr being 172} feet, tho u ultli of ths bottom 7o foct, and the depth about »!U foot 3 iacliOß.

The I?kcent Gales.— The recent gales are said to have done considerable damage in and around Wellington. LoCOMOTIVJS3 FOR CANTERBURY. — According to the Lyttelton Times, a largo addition to tlio number of locomotives in use on tho Canterbury railways is about to be miido — it is said to the extent of about a spore. These have been jirdered from Home, to be delivered at Duuedin, where they will be fitted up at the railway workshops. The German Empire. — A Home paper finds in tho Bavarian Fatherland tho following quaint questions and answers, purpoting to be extracted from the examination of a one-year Volunteer by tho military authorities, upon Ids joining his regiment : — '' How is Germany' divided ?— lnto 20 Army Corps. Of what use are these Army Corps ?— To guard the unity of the German Empire and the liberties of the German people. What are the German people's special characteristics ? — National pride, philosophy, and want. What arc the chief products of German Industry ? — Cannons, small arms, barracks, fortresses, and gunpowder. Which metal is most highly prized by the Germans? — Lead, becauscit is indispensable to the shooting of his fellow-creatures. Which are the favourite occupations of tho German ? — The construction of for--1 tifieations, tho erection of monuments commemorating his victories, reviews, parades, and drill. He is also fond of cleaning his rifle, cartridge-box, and belts, of discovering new philosophical systems, and of composing lyrical poems. Whatare the Germans chief recreation's? — Making excursions to the taxationbureaux, performing the manual exorcise, standing sentry, cleaning out barracks, and hunting after titles and . orders. What is the German's national costume P — A pickle»pot (helmet) and a cartridge-box. What arc his chief ; attractions ? — A stiff military bearing 1 and a brilliantly polished rifle." Cremation. —The authorities of the G-otha have made their report for the i year 1879 on the subject of cremation. The first body submitted to this mode of disposal was treated on tho 10th of , December, 1878, since when fifteen , others have been similarly dealt with. | The time required for the complete incineration of the bodies is about two hours on an average, and it is regarded i as a most satisfactory fact that not only • has no complaint as to the result been i made at Gotha, but that a number of , other German towns are preparing to ! follow in its wake. The people whose ■ remains were cremated came from all ■ parts of Germany— Dresden, Hanover, I lireslau, and Lepsic being among tho i contributors, while even Vienna sent s one subject. It is now thought likely 1 that the operation will be very con- ' siderably extended in the Fatherland, > particularly as the objections which , were ui-ged against it iiave all been proved groundless, and as little supers stition as to the superior advantages of i burial remains. It is hoped by the pro- > moters of the scheme that in process of , time the prejudices which prevent the i introduction of cremation into Kngland r will subside, and that this now method s of "putting tho dead out of sight" will i bo adopted in a land where some better method of disposal than interment under ground is, in their opinion, urgently ? required. A Gallant Rescue. — The ironclad » Invincible, Captain the Hon Edmund . Freomantle, 0.8., was tho other day j ordered from Alexandria to Aboukir • Bay, a. passage which leads across the ; Nile mouths, in a shallow and often tur- . bulent sea. The ironclad was Btoaming . about seven knots to the hour, when miiu • of the leadsman fell into tho rolling \ waves. At once the cry of " man over- , board " rang through the ship, and all the necessary arrangements were taken , which good discipline and maratimeknow j ledge prescribed. The engines were , stopped and reversed, the iife-buuys ! loosed from the bridge and tati'rail, , while the boats wore called away, manned, and lowered with the utmost promptitude. But the poor fellow who , had slipped overboard still held, or had managed to lay hold of, the lead-line, . the consequence being that, although [ kept up in the water, he was dragged below its surface by the'vessel's motion. After a very little while of this submersion, the unlu-'jy bluo-jacket became choked by the la, and, letting go his grasp, floated, and already half dead, as jof tho ship, with his head dropping nndor the water. Captain Freemantle, who was watching what was going on from the bridge, understood in a moment that any delay must cost his poor seaman's life. Without an instant's hesitation, therefore, the gallant officer sprang into tho waves — just as he stood in cap, coat, sea boots and all— and, striking out hard and straight for his object, reached the spot to find his man slowly sinking away from sight. He caught him up, got his head clear of the sea, and so, with great difficulty, held the drowning blue-jacket during the interval in the arrival of assistance Help, of course, soon came, bub-lieutenant Monre and the blacksmith's mate, Cunningham, were the first two whose brave hearts sent them overboard to lend the captain a hand. Theso gallant follows, nevertheless, only just awam up in time, for tho captain's boots and heavy clothes were dragging him down, and it was a glad moment when the boat drew near and took all four safe from tho water.