JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 858, 2 July 1910, Page 15

JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

THE CALEDONIAN SOCIETY. (By TologrnpK—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, July 1. A considerable amount of energy is being infused into the work of tho local Beautifying Society. Though that body has only been about tlirco months formed, four branches arc now at work under the direction of tho main ' society, and the formation of other brandies is contemplated. All the branches are doing excellent work in their own particular portion of the town, but tho biggest programmo is that of tho Wanganui JCast branch, which has in hand the formation of a two-mile esplanade along the river banii from the. Railway Bridge to Shakespeare Cliff'. The Harbour Board has given the necessary frontage for this purpose, and some' two thousand ornamental trees of various varieties, will . be planted, while seats will also be provided and rustic bridges built across the creeks. Most of tho societies' revenues is from voluntary contributions, but labour is provided by working boos of members and helpers, while tho Wanganui Borough Council is alr>o assisting by providing tho salaries of an export, gardener and two assistants to superviso tho work and maintain tho trees and plants.

At the annual meeting of tho Wanganui Caledonian Society, Mr. Donald Iloss was rc-elected president,' and Mr. M'Konzie Forbes secretary. A credit balance of £81 9s. was reported. The society decided to' offer a medal each sTcar5 T car for competition among students at thoMocal schools for tho best essay 011 literature pertaining to Scottish history and life. This- prize is to be in addition to the medals annually presented by the society to tho duxes of t.ho various, schools. As reported by Press Association previously, certain, professional events 011 the society's sports programme were considered, and the desirability or otherwise of oxpunging them discussed. The general opinion seemed to be that the sports would lie improved if professional events wera wiped out except for two dr three events for the sake of those .professional, runners who had stood by the

society during the past few years. TIIO matter was left for the committeo to deal with when framing the next sports programme.

At the annual meeting of -the Wangamii Chess and Draughts Club Air. T. H. Battle was elected president; Hon. John JJryce and Mr. A. M'Farlane vice-presidents, Mr. W. Armstrong delegate to the New Zealand Chess Association, and Jlr. J. Mason secretary.

Mr. H. W. Kirkwood, the well-known artist, lias taken up residence in \Yanganui.

flie vital statistics for Wanganui for June arc: —Births, 39 (36 last Juno); deaths, 11 (18); marriages, 19 (14). Kopreseutatives of the Wanganui Borough Council and tho GonvilleCastleeliff Tramway Board, with thoir engineers, met to-day to discuss the terms of the agreement between tho two bodies in connection with the. lattcr's tramway schemc. The details wore not made public, but it is understood that there arc' practically no difficulties in the way,'and the complete scheme for linking up tho Heads and sea beach with the town will shortly be placed before the ratepayers.

Tho Customs duties for Wanganui for tho month amount to £5339 Is. 2d., as compared with £5198 3 s.' Bd. for the previous June. Beer duty, £271 19s. 7(1., as against £236 12s. od. for last June.