Wanganui in Wisps.

Free Lance, Volume XIX, Issue 992, 9 July 1919, Page 13

Wanganui in Wisps.

Dear Christabez., —

QINCE my last the big Treaty has been signed, and we got word of it through our big firebell just as .we were sitting down to tea on Sunday evening. There was ho mistaking the meaning ,of the long steady ring, but, of course, being Sunday, nothing else happened. Monday morning, however, found the same v old half-dozen flags bobbing about in the wind, and it was arranged to hold a meeting outside the Drill Hall at midday." A quarter to the time, the same old shopkepers were at their doors watching if the next door was to be closed, but in the end most everyone closed for an hour or two and a big crowd gathered in Maria Place to join in the singing, and listen to the speeches and the band. A salvo was fired by a party made up from members of the eld Nayals over at Cook's Gardens, but owing to the age of the powder the salvo was not noised abroad and was a very quiet affair. We have settled down in peace for the final celebrations, which, we learn, have dwindled down to one day instead of the three days of expected fuss. ' * * ■*} ¥■ **

Wanganui is toeing the line and is trying to adjust itself to the amended time tables, which by the way are providing a fresh topic for conversation. Things are not half bad here yet, for motor services have sprung up in the night, so to speak, and for a modest consideration we can be whisked anywhere to link up with anything.. „

Mrs N. B. Gibbons, who has been staying with her mother, Mr s Baddeley, Wicksteed street, has gone on to Wellington for a short visit. Mrs Baddeley has news that her son,. Private Eric Baddeley, will be home in a. week or two, being the third and last to come home.

Word has been received by Mrs Earle that Mrs Gill-Carey has arrived safely in England after a very pleasant trip across on the Athenic.

Still another, level crossing fatality to record, the victim being Mr James Inkpen, an old resident of Wanganui. The old gentleman, 83 years of age, left home to go to a Tittle shop just up the road and was knocked down by the out-going Hawera train. He was alive when picked up, but so badly hurt that he died soon after his admission to the hospital:

Lieut.-Colonel F. K. Turnbull, D.S.O-, M.C., and Mrs Turnbull, returned to Wanganui during the week.' Lieut.-Colonel Turnbull went out with the Main Body, he was then a lieutenant, and during his long period of active, service won hiis decorations and attained his present rank.

Just now visiting her parents (Mr and Mrs Gray, Keith street) is Mrs W. Woolley, of Utah, America. It is rather more than five years since Mrs Woolley married and went over there to live and she ds accompanied by her little daughter on a few months' visit to her home town.

Death has been busy in our midst, having carried off during the week three of our well-known residents. Mr C. E. Hylton, a familiar figure, died on Wednesday at his home in ' Gonville. The late Mr Hylton wasi public librarian here for upwards of thirty years, and for many years was also Registrar of Birth, Deaths, and Marriages. He is survived by Mrs Hylton and a grown-up family.

The death of Mr G. H. Dickson, engineer of the Waitotara County Council came as a shock to hisi friends, many of whom had hardly heard of the attack of pleurisy which proved fatal, as Mr Dickson was ill for only a few days. As County Engineer, Mr Dickson's work brougjht him into close touch with all the settlers round here, and to all of them his name wasi the synonym of integrity, loyalty and devotion to duty. Two sons gave their lives on the field of honour, another ("Nugget") coming home seriously wounded, so that our sincere sympathy goes out to Mrs Dickson and. the remaining members of the .family.

Mr Thos. Scott, of TTpokongaro, died also a day or two ago, after a long illness. Eldest son of the late Mr David Scott of Rangitikei and Mrs Scott, of Liverpool Extension, Wanganui, Mr Scott was well-known in the Rangitikei district. He is survived by Mrs Scott and two sons (Ray still on active service and Kenneth just home): and three daughters.

After having been farewelled. and generally petted by a large circle of old friends, Miss Hardcastle said "au

revoir," and a few days ago left en route for America.

Mr and Mrs Alf Gibbons and children left on Tuesday by motor for your city and their new home.

The other night Mr and Mrs Lance, Selwyn street, gave a delightful dance at the Castlecliff Kiosk, to celebrate the coming of age of their son Tom, and the coming out of their daughter Susie. The Kiosk "llends itself to pretty effects, the floor is good, and the surroundings are nice enough to make a dance there just the happiest possible, and Mr and Mrs Lance made the evening an exceedingly bright one. Most of the dancers were young things, but dotted among them were just a few married girls. Mrs Lance wore a soft black frock, and Miss Susie Lance was in white. Mrs Charlie Broad (Feilding) white satin, Mrs Mackay white satin, and Mrs Beauchamp, pink tulle.

The engagement is announced 1 of Miss Mary Young, second daughter of Mr W. Young, Campbell street, to Mr Gordon Mcßeth, well-known in musical circles here and elsewhere, son of the late Mr Mcßeth, one-time Postmaster in Wanganui. Whirlwind.