Wanganui in Wisps.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 957, 14 November 1918, Page 5

Wanganui in Wisps.

Beab. Chkistabel, — ITN common with most places in NewZealand we went clean mad on Friday when the good news came -through that Germany had done all we wanted lier to do. It is ancient history now how that message was a mistake insofar as that it had to be contradicted, "but the rejoicings went on all the same. The Avenue was simply hung with bunting and thronged with people carrying flags, and the noise was something wonderful. * * # , » ■ The town is full of precautions and influenza —just the common garden variety. The Sanitary Committee of the Borough Council has come into its own, and is making a really splendid effort to put a municipal perfume on the market at the small sum of sixpence a. bottle .if you can afford it, and nothing if that is all you have. The chemists are rushed to death issuing preservatives for inhalation or to be swallowed, and in the churches people got a. sermon on how to gargle and generally look after tlieii* corruptible bodies. In the midst of all these doings comes the Show, and for perhaps the first time in its history Wanganui is thinking that its generally so welcome visitors are going to be a decidedly mixed blessing. . * * # • The sad news was received in town on Saturday that Surgeon-Capt. A. L. Christie, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. I - Christie, St. John's Hill, had died m ■camp. Captain Christie, who is a brother of our own Dr. Christie, had been on ' active service from the outbreak of the war, but was on camp duty when he developed influenza. The now ever-present pneumonia set in, and anotherclever young surgeon succumbed. It is hard when our medical men are attacked by a fell disease, for they are so warweary that 'they haven't a fighting chance, and somejiow they seem unable to do for themselves what they spend "their lives 1 in doing for others. Widespread and. genuine regret- is felt for "the bereaved parents and other members of the family.

Dr. Maurice Earle has also been very ill for some days, but he is now improving slowly, although still confined io his bed.

On Thursday morning, at St.. John's Anglican Church, Mr. Eric Jones, only son of Mrs. Fattle-Izett, was married to Miss Olive Ferrier, eldest, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier, Arnclifre, Sydney. The wedding was a quiet one, Archdeacon Reeve performing the ceremony. Miss Betty Collins was bridesmaid, Mr. A. S. C. Anderson best man, and after the marriage the guests were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Izett at their home, Campbell-street. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have gone south for their -wedding trip.

Miss K. Burr's "morning" on Saturday was a festive little affair of pink roses, silver bonbons, happy girls, tea and chatter. Miss Stevenson was •special guest and others present were: Mrs. Maurice Earle, Misses Brewer, H. Bates, Reid, S. Bates, Fairburn, Mor-ton-Jones, Hoyle, Brettargh, R. Jones, Dymock, and Asheroft.

Mrs. McNeill, St. John's Hill, gave a morning tea during the week, in honour of- Miss Ferrier (now Mrs. Eric Jones) just from Australia. The table decorations were in shades of cerise, and among the guests were Mesdames Pattle-Izett, Latter. Hutton, Neame, Wilson, Wilkin, Earle, and Miss Moore.

' On Monday evening the little church at Matarawa was crowded by a large congregation assembled to honour the memories of Major C. L. Sommerville and Trooper W. R- McWilliam, both of whom fell in action and were residents of the district. The Right Itev. Bishop Sprott, of Wellington, officiated at the ceremony, assisted by the Iter. W. G. Williams. Major Sommerville's commemorative marble slab was erected by his brother members of the Alexandra Cavalry Old Members' Association, and the brass tablet dedicated to Trooper McWilliam was erected by the residents of his distinct. Tours sincerely, WunU^JTIKB.