The de ceased lady waa born m Somersetshire, England, and came to the colonies m 1859 with her husband m » sailing vessel called the Clan-troft. They settled m Rangiora, but after seven years residence there, came to Ashbnrton m 1866. and took up land m the Upper Ashburton district, where they have remained since, bringing up a large family of sons and daughters, who, now grown up, have to irourn the loss of a devoted mother, whose long residence hero has earned for her the respect of all who have known her. With a view to placing the Volunteer force on a sounder and better basis, a circular has been issued to the following gentlemen, who will form a Conference on the matter : — Mijor-General Sir G. Whit i more, MLC ; Colonel Fox ; ijieutenant- Colonel Pitt ; Lieutenant-Colonel Hume : the Hon Colonel Bailey, MLC; Lieu tenant-Colonel Goriner ; Lieutenant- Colonel Wewall; Lieutenant-Colonel Webb ; Lieutenant-Colonel Gordon ; Lieutenant-Colonel Bonar, MLC ; Lieu tenant-Colonel Feldwick, MI.C; Major Harris, MHR; Hon Major Steward, MHR; Major Joyce, Mflß; Captain George Hutchison, MHR, Captain Cale man ; Hon J. G. Ward, MHR ; Captain Carncross, MHR; Lieutenant-Command ing Allen, MHR; Captain Russell, MHR; Mr Me Nab, MHR; Mr Willis, MHR. It is proposed that the first meeting be held m the buildings on Friday, to determine what coarse may be adopted for the future consideration of these important matters. Officers com manding at Auckland, Wellington, Christ church, Danedin, and Nelson, have been directed to attend, and suggestions have , been mailed from other commanding officers of districts. For the benefit of the sufferers by the : recent fire at the Triangle two entertain ments have been arranged—one for Wed nesday and one for Thursday night. The first will comprise a concert, m which some of 6ur best local singers will take , pare, an'sj the comedy " Taken for a burg lar," will form the second part of the entertainment. The second entertain ment —the one on Thursday night-will hava for its piece dt resistance an exhibition' of the scenery of the Scotch Highlands, The views will be shown on a screen eighteen feet square, through the medium of Mr W. G. Murray's recently imported stereopticon, and with oxy-hydrogen Hght. 