JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 865, 11 July 1910, Page 2

JOTTINGS FROM WANGANUI.

(By Telegraph.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, July S.

A large gathering of Oddfellows on Thursday evening entertained Mr. John Wright," who is retiring from the secretaryship of the Wangauui Lodge, a position held by him for thirty years. Air. Wright was presented with a purse of sovereigns in recognition of his valuables services.

Arbor Day celebrations on July 20 promise to be on the biggest scale yet held iu Wangauui. The Beautifying Society has drawn up a very comprehensivo planting scheme, which will be carried out at various points in and around town. July ID. Endurance piano playing seems to have taken hold here. It is stated that two local players will shortly essay the task of beating Stirton's recent record.

Residents of Sniithfield, a small suburb lying to the south-west of the town, are up in arms against the proposal to.include them in the GonvilleCastleclilf Tramway Board's voting area, and aro promoting a petition praying to be cut out of the same. The board says the petition is based on a misconception, and, in order that tho misunderstanding may be removed, lias called a meeting of Smithfield residents for next Thursday, when the position will be explained. Notico of motion has been given by a member of the Gohville Town Board to elevate the town district of Gonville to tho position of a borough, and to - change the name of that suburb' to Wangauui Went. Tho death is announced at the age of 59 of Mr. Emile Joseph Fromont, who, for 3(5 years, has resided in Wangamii. Deceased, who was a well- • known member of the Bastown Railway Workshops staff, was born at St. Malo, France. Ho leaves a widow and threesons. ■ (By TelcEraDh—Press Association.) At a meeting af the Wangaiuu Branch of the New Zealand Veterans' Association on Saturday, it was re- , solved that the meeting express its dissatisfaction at the reported decision of Cabinet in regard to the suggested institution of separate pensions for veterans, and that Parliament be urged to reconsider the matter.

What is known as the racecourse casa was closed on Sitarday. Some months ago the Jockey Club prohibited the public from using what had for long been regarded as a right-of-way across the racecourse. In orcler to test the matter, certain residents living on tho farther side of the course pulled down the barrier which the Jockey Club had erected. Tho club took proceedings against these men, and lost the case. The club then carried tho case to tho Appeal Court, and won, costs to the amount of £150 boing givon against defendants. The costs were not paid, and a bailiff was put into the homes of six defendants, who are working men. Members of what was known as the Racecourse Case Committee were taking steps to protest against flhd Jockey Clnb's action, but the inattei was declared closed on Saturday on the Jockey Club announcing that it would not proceed further.