LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXIV, Issue 9662, 21 October 1882, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Heads Railway Company. — There were a number of tenders sent in for the post of secretary to the Heads Railway Company, and the tender of Mr C. S. Cross, being the lowest, at £60 per annum was accepted. School Committee. — The ordinary meeting of this body should have been held on Thursday afternoon last, but was postponed until Monday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, on account of Thursday being show day. Waverley Yards. — Mr F. R. Jackson will hold his usual sale of stock at these yards to-day, the sale having been put off on account of yesterday's races. There are a large number of entries in all the classes. Rowson v. Education Board. — The Education Board have, we think, taken a wise step in deciding to appeal from the recent adverse decision in this case given by the Resident Magistrate, Mr Ward. The appeal will probably be taken in about six weeks' time. Supreme Court Sittings. — The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court open here on Monday morning next. At present only three cases are set down for trial. One of these is a watch stealing charge, in which Mr Jeffrey, formerly a detective in this district, is a necessary witness, and he has arrived in town for the purpose of giving his testimony. The Library Funds. — Through the exertions of the totalisator managers yesterday a considerable sum was added to the funds of the Public Library, in the boxes placed in front of the totalisator for contributions in aid. In the inner circle Mr Hill received 17s, but Mr Poole, who had to deal with the democratic portion of the community, raised no less than £7 18s. The library directors should be grateful. Breach of the Licensing Act. — The principal case before Mr Ward, R.M., this morning, will be a charge preferred by Sergeant Bisset against Mr Hugh McIlhone, of the Railway Hotel. That licensed victualler will be charged with unlawfully selling on Saturday night last, at 11.45 p.m., certain liquor to William Whelan, James Day, and others, the licensee being the holder of a 10 o'clock license. Railways Lamps. — The Evening Post says :— A shipment of twelve dozen lamps, for use on the Wellington and Wanganui railways, has just been received by the local department from the glassworks of Messrs Cook and Sons, who have lately started in business in Auckland. The lamps appear to be of first-class quality and workmanship, and it is to be hoped that they will be found to compare favourably with the imported article. The Band at the Races. — The Wanganui Rifles Band, under Mr King, played very well at the race meeting yesterday, and were evidently appreciated as they deserved. Their programme was as follows :— Selection, "Relief of Ekowe ;" selection, "Pinafore ;" waltz, "Lucky star ;" quadrilles, "Flower of Edinboro' ;" selection, "Patience ;" selection, "Notre Chere Alsace ;" gallop, "Rosey Cross ;" selection, "London echoes ; " waltz, "Light and shade." The late Railway Accident. — The unfortunate man Conroy, who was so seriously hurt on Thursday evening last by a collision between his cart and the railway engine at the racecourse crossing, still remains in a most precarious condition. We learn from his medical attendant, Dr Connolly, that Conroy's internal injuries, especially with regard to the kidneys, are of such a serious character that his recovery is almost hopeless. The hemorrhage during yesterday was very great. The Totalisators. — These legalised instruments of respectable gambling were conducted yesterday in a manner beyond all reproach. No less than £2024 was passed through the two totalisators, without a single word of dispute or objection. The instrument inside the lawn was under the management of Mr Hill, and that outside was superintended by Mr Poole, and, under the rules of the Jockey Club, Messrs Hill and Poole take 3 per cent. upon the gross proceeds (and have to pay certain necessary assistants) and the club takes the other 7 per cent, out of the 10 per cent. deducted from the receipts from the public. Sheep Return. — The following is the yearly return of sheep owned in the several counties in the Wanganui Sheep District, with a comparison of the number so owned during the years 1879 and 1880 :— Wanganui County — 1879, 182,819 ; 1880, 166,742 ; 1881, 162,208. Rangitikei County — 1879, 152,877 ; 1880, 152,142 ; 1881, 162,208. Patea County — 1879, 91,646 ; 1880, 69,687 ; 1881, 74,887. Hawera — 1879, 20,136 ; 1880, 14,863 ; 1881, 18,852. Manawatu — 1879, 123,471 ; 1880, 123,110 ; 1881, 144,286. It will be observed that in all the districts save Rangitikei and Manawatu there is a falling off last year as compared with the return for 1879 ; while in every case but Wanganui County there was for 1881 increase on the return for 1880. Princess Theatre. — We are glad to learn that the "Ticket-of-leave Man" is to be played this evening at the Princess Theatre for the benefit of the library fund. That this fine play will be well played we have no doubt, and will form a fitting entertainment for the third of the performances given this week for a very deserving object. The cast is a strong one all round, the principal characters being allotted as follows :— Bob Brierly, Mr Beckett ; Melter Moss, Mr Gribbs ; Hawkshaw, the detective, Mr Whitworth Russell ; Mr Gibson, Mr Rede ; May Edwards, Miss Lizzie Lawrence ; Mrs Willoughby, Mr Harry Power. The Amateur Dramatic Company have kindly consented to lend the scenery which they possess specially adapted for this play. We anticipate a crowded house to-night. A Popular Prince. — Prince Leopold, says Truth, may claim that most enviable form of popularity which consists in being liked by the cultured few. Oxford is proud of him, and had he been a recident at the time of the late Lord Derby's death, it is tolerably certain that he would now be Chancellor of the University instead of Lord Salisbury. Dons and undergraduates alike spoke well of him. One of his favourite amusements, by the way, when in the city of learning, was whist — for very modest points. The highest sum he was ever known to lose in an evening was sixteen shillings ; and he never won more. He were the academical costume of a gentleman-commoner, not of a nobleman. The caps of the one and the other, the uninitiated may be informed, were of velvet, but the nobleman's was adorned with a gold tassel, while gentlemencommoners had to be content with one of silk. The gowns were also of silk, in either case. One can happily write concerning these vanities in the past tense, for though the vested rights of former "tufts" and "silks" are preserved, no new members are admitted to those privileged orders. They had, indeed, been disestablished before Prince Leopold's matriculation, but an exception was gracefully suggested in favour of His Royal Highness.