Wanganui in Wisps.

Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 867, 16 February 1917, Page 7

Wanganui in Wisps.

•;;- Dsak Cebistabex., 'PinHE most interesting 'event this week has been the holidaying of "the Waterside Workers, and the activi-. ties of the voluntary toilers. . You rememher I told you last week that we might have a strike. Well, we're not having a proper strike, after, all. There are no policemen riding up and down the streets,', no"one throwing rocks and things about, no B-iot Act read. Why, I do believe the first shower of rain last week was more exciting. * # «• o . It would seem, from what I can :gather,-that. the.men who generally unload the boats, did not feel disposed to -unload the two or three which were hitched up to the. wharf, so they refused to do it, unless the work would •be done within certain hours. After a -day or two the people most concerned -began,to feel the inconvenience of the ~delay, arid the outcome was a band of voluntary workers. The first of these 'were men who are well known to take life seriously, if perhaps quite comfortably, which is not a, crime. Anyway, they got to work, or were motored -■there, and did what they eould. '■;•"*.■»" •* •» "You know it doesn't take much of a •push to set a ball going, and I can tell .you this particular one travelled some. In a little while there were more willing helpers it was possible to make use/ of. The men of the National Reserve offered in a body 100 ; strong, the warehousmen were there, •and so were the retailers and lots of -others, with the result that the boats ■are now suffering from a feeling of -emptiness that nothing but another load can cure. • «■ ■» *'■'»••' We women were not required this irime, so we just watched our men as long as we were allowed to, and gave them some refreshment when possible. "The trouble is not quite over yet, but it will come all right in the end, and :so will the poor blistered hands. What -■a. pity it is that men can't manage their troubles as we women to manage :ours. They'd find life much more interesting. , We have had rain, which was wel- s come indeed. The farmers are smiling, "the gardens are watered (and we don't be fined for using the hose which cost a •small fortune), and our tanks- are filled with lovely rain water with which to wash our faces. Altogether Wanganui is a happier, because a wetter, place. » » . ■» » • Mr. W. Veitch, M.P., who has been touring round Auckland with the Parliamentary party, and Mrs. Veitch, re--fcurned to Wanganui early in the week. We cannot but appreciate the fact that Mr. "Veitch has been suggested as a

likely person to fill the breach caused by the death of Dr. MeNab. It is early days perhaps to talk of these, things,, but Mr. Veitch well deserves the reputation he has evidently made for himself,, and which is after all only the opinion we, his constituents in Wa- . nganui, always had of him. # •& # & Mrs.' James Campion and Campion have just returned from a short trip to Australia, where they have been fare welling still another son and brother. The huge clan, of which. the Wanganui Campions are a branch, has set a noble example to many, and we take off our hats to- it. ■» • • * ' o . - . ■ Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Porter, of Nelson, and Miss Porter, who have been the guests of Mrs. 6. J. Park, left on Monday for the.south. ; ■* -j> »•••«••' Miss Seaward and Miss •_ Atkins have returned to Hawke's Bay. While in Wanganui they were the guests of Mrs. D. Seaward, St. John's Hill. ■#.'» , t a '-" Mr. Gordon Mcßeth, who has just gone into camp with the 26ths, takes with him. the good wishes of his many friends; Mr. Mcßeth, a musician of whom we are justly proud, was. studying his beloved art in Europe when war broke put, and he saw the beginning of things over there. He has been preceded by his brother, Mr. J. D. W. Mcßeth, a well-known figure in the Wanganui Male Choir. We wish them both good luck, and hope they will be . able to introduce some" good New Zealand music to Berlin. «► .# » » Mr. Lyndon.Bastings has temporarily resumed his duties as science master at the Technical College. Mr. Bastings was out with the Marania on her maiden trip, as a hospital ship, and is expecting to be called, up again before long. ** •& & ** . . Mrs. G. Cleland has returned to" Gonville from Wellington, where she spent her holidays. . * * # * Mr. H. Lundius is jnst about to leave Wanganui for Wellington after haying lived here for a number of years. Mr. Lundius, who has been in charge of the local branch of the Lands and, Survey Department, .has been transferred to Head Office, and takes up his new duties at once. While in Wanganui, . Mr. and Mrs. Lundius and Miss Lundius have associated themselves. with any worthy public movement, and have undoubtedly been a tower of - strength to the Operatic Society. We wish them great success in their new homej. and also venture the hope that their son Oscar, who is away doing his bit, will soon be free 1 to return to them, safe and sound.

Mrs. Russell Grace and her little daughter are spending a few days in Wellington at the Midland. --■■#: .•'•""■'■ * . o . ■ - Mr. William Draffin and Miss Ivy Swan were married on Wednesday last at St. John's Anglican Church. The pretty little wedding, although a quiet one, was the centre of much interest, as both the bride and bridegroom are well known in Wanganui. The.--bride was given away by her brother, Mr. GH. Swan, and was attended by her sister, Miss Gwen Swan," and her niece, Miss Ethne Swan. Mr. Leslie Short, of Palmerston North, was best man. Mr., and Mrs. Drafiin left by motor for Auckland, but will probably make their home in Wellington. - ■• •»,..# «• Professor P.. Marshall has taken up his new duties as headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School, his Alma Mater. We are proud of him and extend a cordial welcome to himself, Mrs., Marshall, and their little family. The Collegiate School .is well known throughout the Dominion, and was the old school of many of ,the prosperous sons of this country. The building, or rather group of buildings—for the boys live in separate houses—are probably the finest of the kind in- New Zealand, and the Roll of Honour numbers almost : six hundred names. # * * ■* On Thursday night the -- Garrison -Band gave an. open-air concert at the Castlecliff Kiosk. Although the weather was not good, hundreds availed themselves of the cars and the moonlight to hear the music by the seaside.On fine nights it is quite • inspiring to see the many duets, trios, etc., moving about, or sitting still, with full ...band accompaniment, .but it was much too cold for rhapsodising the other, night. , • . *'■ *..■•».-■ Mrs. H. Young, mother of Messrs Young,, of leather-goods fame, passed away this week at the grand old age of 80. Mrs. Young came out to the Colonies in the early sixties, where her name is well remembered. At the time of her death Mrs. Young was living with one of her sons in Wanganui. •36- ' . * . a « The death of Mrs. John Forbes-j although not altogether unexpected, came as a great shock to her many friends. The deceased lady was well-known for her love of helping in a quiet and practical way those less fortunate than herself. Much sympathy is felt for Mr. Forbes and his adopted daughter. -Yours sincerely, Whirlwind. Spinning: Jennies - a Tip from Reef ton Dear "Christabel," —rl notice in the last notes of "Whirlwind." from nganui. that she advises the Awapuni

and Palmerston people to run Spinning Jennies at" their forthcoming >Paddy's; Market. ■■■■;':.;[. ." ' :,. '_ .''' /- : ",:V • I would like to let you know, and the people who are arranging the Paddy's Market, that in.,-Beefton, on the Wild • West'-Coast, wehad a monster patriotic sports meeting and gala' day on "De- . ceniher 28 last year,.--. when another . gentleman and I ran a Spinning Jenny and. an "under and oyer" table for the benefit of our patriotic funds. Between \ us the fund benefited -by £68 5 which is' ; ; not bad for a small and poor place compared with your large- and wealthy places in the North Island. There is a sequel to our effort. We were both summoned to attend, the Magistrate's Court, which we didj. and were fined £0 each, although the patriotic funds benefited -to the full amount / \ye raised. In face of the above I would like to advise Awapuni and Palmerston to fee careful, and wish them the best of luck for a successful gathering --and large., credit balance.—Yours, etc., Fined £5. ReeftOn. ' . • ' * * "_'■#'-;■ ■'*'. .."'_:. [It seems hard lines when the purpose was so good that these Reef ton people should have been brought up to Court. —Christabbl.] ' . -