The Re-incorporation of Higham Fererrs—The opponents of the draft scheme for the incorporation of this ancient Borough, have received the following letter:—

"Privy Council Office, Whitehall, London, 54.141.

"Sir, Referring to the petition of certain owners and ratepayers of the parish and borough of Higham Ferrers against the draft scheme for that borough, I am directed by the Lords of the Council to state for the information of the petitioners that their lordships are advised that unless the petition is withdrawn the Scheme will, in accordance with Section 313 (4) of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1382, require the confirmation of Parliament. I am to add that the Lords of the Council will not proceed further in the matter of the granting of a Charter to Higham Ferrers until the question of the scheme has been settled.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, C. L. PEEL. To James Heygate, Esq., Wellingborough."

SCHOOL BOARD Thursday May 27th.—Mr. G. Wyman in the chair, and all the members ware, present.—A notice was on the agenda to consider the appointment of an Attendance Officer; an application from Miss Blackwell for the appointment of a candidate pupil teacher for the Infant School, and also an application from the parents of M. E. Sargent for her to be appointed such teacher.—The Chairman and Mr. Randall were in favour of the appointments being made at that meeting, and Messrs. Spong, Shelton, but Groom thought that as the schools were being enlarged and a new Board would be appointed before they were finished, the appointments should be left for the new Board to decide, which was accordingly agreed to.—Sir. Jas Sargent was appointed cleric to the works to look over the alterations.

ST. MARY'S CHURCH—For some years past it has been evident that the portion of the spire above the highest window was much out of repair. Early in the Spring Mr. Wright Parker, of Oldham, gave an estimate of his examination of the spire, which was accepted by the Churchwardens. The condition of the spire was such that he was apprehensive of most disastrous results unless something was immediately done. Mr. St. Aubyn was communicated with, and he sent down Mr. Wadling, who recommended that the spire should be scaffolded and carefully examined. Mr. St. Aubyn has now made careful measurements, and prepared accurate drawings of the topmost 20 feet, and the following suggestions have been submitted to the Committee:—That the 23 feet at the top of the spire must be taken off, and lowered to the ground, that at least 10 to 12 feet of this top of this 20 must be entirely new, and the remainder re-built and made good where necessary with new stone. That the remaining 80 feet of the spire must be carefully examined inside and out, and all defective stone cut out and replaced with new, the joints being carefully raked out and repointed. That other necessary repairs to the windows, parapet, and pinnacles should be done. The estimated cost of this work is about £250. It has been decided to carry out other works connected with the Tower and spire: viz., new clock and chimes, repair of bell-cage and bells, at an estimated additional cost of about £225. The Committee consider it would be unwise to ask for less than £500, in order that the work may be done in a way befitting the beauty and magnificence of the Church. The following gentlemen have been appointed to assist the Vicar and Churchwardens in carrying out the work: J. Crew (Mayor), The Honourable T. W. Fitzwilliam, Messrs. G. H. Pope, C. H. Simpson, G. Shelton, and W. Spong. Subscriptions to the general fund, or to any special object, will, be received and acknowledged by the Vicar, Churchwardens, or members of the Committee, of which the Rev. G. H. Hopkins is president.

DONATION TO THE INFIRMARY—We understand that Mr. R. Flintham has paid £3 3s. to the Northampton Infirmary, the proceeds of a charge made for going on the ice in his meadow, and that he has two in and four out-patient letters for the same.

ANNUAL SPORTS—On Wednesday evening a meeting was held at the Chequer's Inn to decide if there should be a flower show and sports at the feast. Mr. A. Beetson presided, and it was resolved to hold sports on feast Monday and not a show. A guarantee fund of £12 was speedily made up in half-crown shares. Mr. A. Martin was elected secretary.

WANTON MISCHIEF—On Monday night last some mischievous person, severed the stem from the root, of a fine rose tree in full bloom, in front of Mr. Appleyard's house at the Gas Works. Such mischievous proceedings ought to be stopped, and we hope if similar offenders should be caught and brought before the Bench some salutary punishment will be inflicted.

EXCURSION—The annual trip of the Higham Ferrers and District Band of Hope Union took place on Monday, Hunstanton being the place selected. The jubilee being so recently celebrated, it was thought by some that the number of excursionists would not be so large, but thanks to a fine day and the interest in the cause, there was no falling off in numbers. The employees of Mr. G. Parker (indoors) were taken by Mr. Owen Parker, in honour of his recent marriage, and the indoor employees of Messrs. B. Denton and Sons also went by the trip.

RECREATION GROUND—A meeting of the trustees was held on Wednesday evening, when there were present—the Vicar, Messrs. Crew, Flintham, C. Parker, and Thomas Sanders. The Vicar laid before the meeting some correspondence he had received from the Land Commissioners, the Charity Commissioners, and the representative of Mr. Fitzwilliam, in reference to the exchange of the Recreation Ground, and having discussed the question, it was considered impracticable for the trustees to do anything in the matter. It transpired that the proceeds of the land can only be used or expended on the same, and that consequently the trustees have been acting in the past in an illegal manner in utilising the money for other purposes, and at the present time there is a balance of £27 in hand, and this will, it is hoped, form a nucleus from which to improve the present ground. The tenant applied for a reduction of rent, and it was reduced from £16 to £12 per annum.

Higham Ferrers - Reported Abandonment of the Tramway
Much indignation was caused in Higham Ferrers, on Saturday, upon it being reported that the proposed Wellingborough and District Tramway Scheme, so far as it relates to Higham Ferrers, was to be abandoned. It is said that the assistants to the engineer of the Tramway Company were engaged completing the survey for the new road when they received a telegram from London telling them that they were to leave off further operations, as the scheme, so far as it related to Higham Ferrers, has been abandoned. The announcement aroused much indignation in Higham, and the greatest disappointment is heard on all hands. It is said there are technical objections lodged against allowing the scheme to go into standing orders. There was some talk of an indignation meeting being called. If such a meeting were held, or a canvass of the inhabitants taken, it is asserted that there would not be ten in the town against the scheme.