Wanganui in Wisps.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 948, 12 September 1918, Page 4

Wanganui in Wisps.

Dbab. Chbisxabel, — . r|IHE war news is good, tke little pause for change of spool having brought forth an episode swifter than, we had even dreamed of. Just here, though, we can't help burying our faces in our haryis while we think of the bereft. A few more of Wanganui's best lads have died that we may live, and the only solace we have to offer— our homage and sympathy—goes out to our bereaved fellow citizens. *• * •» ■* Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Jones, Wiek-steed-street, have lost their second son, Temp. Surgeon Major Noel Johns, IN .Z.M.C. The soldier-surgeon was born and educated here ana went to Scotland to complete his studies. He was practising over there when war broke out, and in 1916 he returned to this country, joined, up with our own medical section, and served through. Gallipoli, being oiie of the medibal mem atteaiding .the batch which was last to leave the Peninsula. . After that he went to .Egypt, then torjy France, where lie was in harness practibally all the time. It seems only , a little while ago (after Mes sines) that we heard of his getting the Military Cross, for devotion to duty and courage under fire. . Dr. Johns was married in July last, and a. young widow is left in Scotland as well as brave parents here. * * * * Sergeant-Major Lawrence (much better known as '.'Bob") Meuli, second son of Mi\ and Mrs. Meuli, Gonville, also fell in the August fighting. Sergeant Meuli . went out with the Ittths in October, 1916, and on arrival at Sling was kept there for instructional purposes. He was promoted to the rank of sergt.major, and for some time had been in France. Bob Meuli was one , of the best-known men about town, and . one whose future gave every promise. Happiest when he could make life a little happier for others, he will be sorely missed in his home circle and elsewhere. He, too, leaves a young widow in the Home Country. * * * * Sergt.-Major Anderson's eldest son, Percy, was killed in the advance on Bapaume. He went away with the 21st Reinforcements, was wounded at Armentieres last year, and, since rejoining his unit had been in the thick of the fight. He was one of four soldier brothers, three of whom are still in France. * * * * Mr. Blank put a barometer outside his shop-front, on Victoria-avenue, the other day, thinking how nice it would be for the passers-by to see how many degrees; of pleasantness they were enjoying. The barometer answered very well for a while, but when Mr. Blank, thinking the glass had surely fallen, went out to have a look, he found to his dismay that it had disappeared I * * * * ; Thursday's nice growing irain kept on so steadily and increased so much in volume, that by Friday night the place had grown into a sloppy bog. Lots of odd things happened, as witness : — Friday night's 9 o'clock train from Palmerston North and other places arrived here sometime on Saturday afternoon. It had been delayed somewhat by slips and unsafe bridges. About 100 yards of Mr. Thomas's hill-front, along by Hotel Braeburn,* came down and blocked the road. For' some hours "desirable building, lots' 7 were shovelled up bv the emergency gang. Farther along the same road, on Anzae Parade, another slip appropriated some of the Council's concrete efforts. (The concrete here meant is,. of course, the kind laid on with a trowel.) , On St. John's Hill, .the footpath is, m one place, dangerously near a. slip, and looks as if it is likely at any moment to find itself being used as topdressing in the Borough Nurserv below. If anyone at Lyall Bay or anywhere else finds part of a nearly new wharf, it belongs to the Wanganui Refrigerating Company. Thetirs left in a hurry on Friday night and left no address. At Wanganui East, the patriotic broccoli was well under water. People were to be seen carrying their boots and silken hose, while they waded through the ankle deep water to daily toil. Shows a fine spirit, doesn't it? Yours sincerely, Whirlwind.