WANGANUI ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 5

WANGANUI ITEMS

Woolbuyers Arrive SALE ON THURSDAY Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, January 13. Last night saw the arrival in Wanganui of about 40 wool-buyers, who came by special train from Napier. The Wanganui wool sale will be heid on Thursday next, January 16, the buyers afterward departing by train to Auckland. Most of the buyers represent overseas firms. Wool stores are at present scenes of bustling activity.

Regulations Disregarded. There have been several complaints recently that regulations prohibiting shooting or the use of firearms at the Wanganui airport have been disregarded. Yesterday, a visitor to the aerodrome said to “The Dominion,” there were several young men with rifles among the sand dunes who were ostensibly shooting rabbits, but bullets could be heard ricochetting. In fact, one shot passed a picknickei- at an uncomfortably close range. The danger of stray bullets is obvious, and it is understood that representations are being made to the authorities to ensure that the regulations in future be strictly enforced.

100 Per Cent. Swimmers. An accomplishment of which the instructors and trainees may well feel proud is the fact that of the 35 boys under canvas at the Wanganui Y.M.C.A. camp at Kai Iwi bench, all are proficient swimmers. Those non-swiinmers were taken in hand by the camp authorities, and every boy can now swim at least 25 yards.

Life-saving Competitions. The first of the Gibson Cup life-saving competitions will be held by the Castlecliff surf section of flic Royal Lite-saving Society at Castlecliff beach next weekend. The judges will be Messrs. G. Darbyshire and T. Luff, ami the teams are: D. A. Langslow (captain), 0. Naylor, C. Papps, R. Murray: B. C. Tasker (captain), B. Currie, R. Gibb, L." Robinson : L. Newman (captain), A. 8. Lowe, D. Guy and M. McKenzie. Training will be commenced immediately. Defence Rifle Club.

The championship series of the Wanganui Defence Rifle Club's competitions was advanced a further stage on Saturday. A trophy donated by Mr. Howard was also competed for. A tricky wind spoiled shooting conditions, which at times proved fairly troublesome. 'Several riflemen tied for the trophy, but in the shoot-off. the winner was R. Shaw, with 48 at 900 yards. A championship shoot, ami the completion of the Carr Longrange Cup competition (SOO ami POO yards) will be held next Saturday. Excursion’ by Rail.

Wanganui patronage of the railway excursion to Napier over the week-end was poor, only about 100 passengers travelling from the city and district. However, over 1000 excursionists arrived at Opunake yesterday by special trains from Wanganui and New Plymouth. A total of 412 passengers arrived at New Plymouth off the Taumarunui excursion train, and the Wanganui special to Opunake left with 126 passengers, the number swelling to 490 when it reached its destination. The New Plymouth train left with 148 passengers, and arrived at Opunake with 531.

Big Pine Cone. Grown by .Mr. Jas. Allison, of No. 1 Line, Wanganui, a big pine cone of the Pinus Coutcri species is at present attracting much attention in the Farmers’ Union window, where it is on display. The cone, with long flat spikes, in shape not unlike sharks’ teeth, measures nine inches from tip to bole, and its circumference at the widest part is 214 irfches. It weighs about three pounds, and is full of seed. Eighteen, seeds were recently given to a Wanganui School, and 13 are now growing. Heavy Traffic Breaches.

Overloading and speeding breaches of the heavy traffic regulations were dealt with before Mr. J. H. Salmon. S.M., in the, Wanganui Magistrate’s Court this morning. For speeding in a lorry, Victor ■ Francis Boag was fined £1 ahd costs £l/0/6, and Maurice John O’Brien was fined £2 and similar costs. For overloading, Arthur G. Candish and Hili Brothers were each fined £2 and costs £l/0/6. Two charges were preferred against William Walter Gilbert Crane, and the total penalty inflicted was £4 (£2 on each charge), with costs amounting, to £2/2/-.

Ohl Pupils’ Picnic. _ The Tawhero School Old Pupils’ Association held a successful picnic at Raorika yesterday, about 80 being conveyed by launch to the picturesque 'site. The weather was perfect, and the arrangements made by the committee contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the day. ’ Flock House.

At the annual meeting of the Flock House executive, which will be held shortly, the future of the house, which was established as a training institution for the sons of 'servicemen killed or incapacitated in the Great War. will be considered. It is reported that difficulty is being experienced in keeping the number of trainees up to a certain level.

Inquest Resumed. The inquest was resumed to-dav before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., coroner, ‘into the death of .Michael Joseph McConville, who died on December J!) as the result of a motor accident on the Head’s Road The coroner's verdict was that death was due to laceration of the brain through head injuries, no blame being attachable to anyone.