WANGANUI NOTES

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 79, 29 December 1925, Page 4

WANGANUI NOTES

Christmas Day was observed, as a Holy Dav rather than a holiday in Wanganui (states the “Chronicle”). The churches were well filled at all services, when sermons appropriate to the occasion were delivered. The timehonoured Christmas dinner—a time in-' variably associated with family, reunions—was favoured by the majority, but a goodly number were attracted to the various' scenic resorts, where picnics in the shade were held. The weather was gloriously fine, and in the afternoon hundreds were enticed—flannels and white-frocked citizens frequenting the many picturesque promenades. The beach was amongst the popular attractions, and throughout the day good crowds enjoyed the perfect sunshine or indulged in “dips in the briny.” The buses, which were run to Castlecliff in substitution for the trams, were well patronised, more particularly in the afternoon.

On Boxing Day a painful accident befel a little girl, whose parents reside in Harrison Street. She was playing in the children’s playground at Gonville (states the “Wanganui Chronicle”). when she was struck on the head by a swing, and injuries necessitating medical attention were inflicted.

Wanganui put up a good record for sobriety on Christmas Eve, although the occasion was no doubt fittingly celebrated by those misguided people who regarded it as the official wet period of the year. “Not a single drunk,” was an announcement at the police station, which in addition to being something in the nature of a record, is a tribute to the sobriety of the local populace, states the “Wanganui Herald,” also possible evidence of the fact that various brews of hops arc not nearly as potent as they used to be.

A Wellington visitor in the vicinity of the Wanganui Post Office on Saturday morning asked if the Health Department functioned in Wanganui (states the “Herald”). His remark was associated with one of the rubbish baskets thoughtfully provided by the municipality, crammed to the top with Christmas Eve debris, which included near the top a defunct—very defunct—crayfish. The aroma in |the locality was of the penetrative kind, and caused people to regard one another with .an air of suspicion.

It is expected that during February next the quinnat salmon will run iii the Wanganui river. The quinnat was successfully acclimatised in the Wairau river, at the northern end of the South Island, some years ago, and has now worked across Cook Strait. The work of endeavouring to stock the Wanganui river with Atlantic variety is making good headway since the establishment of a hatchery at Piriaka, and yearling fish have been seen in the upper reaches.— (Hawera "Star.”)

Counsel at the. Wanganui Court, during a break in the proceedings, was discussing the fashions (states the “Herald”), and remarked that it was astonishing nowadays to note how some of the solicitors’ junior clerks and junior reporters ran to fancy socks, some of them of the most hideous and glaring designs. The most brazen flapper would hesitate to adopt some of the colour schemes, even in jazz garters.

Mr. J. L. Beck, who left Wanganui recently for Christchurch, where he intends to reside, has been connected with musical circles in Wanganui for forty years, and,will be greatly missed (states the “Herald”). Mr. Beck was an old and valued member of the Wanganui Garrison Band thirty odd years ago, and when a lad was one of a local company called the “Basinicas,” who bv a skilful manipulation of common china basins gaves a series of, delightful musical entertainments. Mr. Beck is best known as a teacher of the violin, and the great success achieved by his two sons in the musical world bears testimony to their early tuition. Old friends will wish Mr. Beck every success in the City of the Plains.