NEWS OF THE DAY

Taranaki Daily News, 25 March 1935, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Cricketer’s Performances.

A fine record has been recorded by J. Ford of the Western Park (New Plymouth) senior B “B” cricket team. In the last three competition matches in which he has played he has reached the half century each time. Successful Band Recital. In spite of exceptionally rough weather there was a large and appreciative audience last night at a recital given by the Taranaki Regimental-Municipal Band, under the Baton of Bandmaster F. W. G. McLeod in the State Theatre. The stage scenery and the lighting and effects were excellent. Vocal soloists were enthusiastically received. The band contributed several selections, some of which were encored. Messrs. L. Kerr, L. Higginson and A. Wright gave the vocal solos and Mr. B. Tatnell was pianist.

Flannagan Cup Coincidence. There were few who realised that Saturday’s Flannagan Cup open water swim was in more ways than one a fitting memorial to the donor of the cup, the late Mr. P. J. Flannagan. The race was held the day following the anniversary of his death, which occurred on March 22, 1933. Athletes’ Picnic.

The annual picnic of the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic and Cycle Club was held at Meonstoke farm, Mangorei, during the week-end. There were about 60 present. After lunch a programme of varied athletic and novelty events occupied the afternoon.

Return From Pageant. Piloted by Mr. C. Linn, with Mr. E. Smith as passenger, aeroplane ZK-ACZ returned at 3 p.m. yesterday from the air pageant at Nelson. A short stop 1 was made at Wanganui, but the trip was uneventful though bumpy. This morning Mr. H. W. Lightband will fly ZK-ACZ to Wellington with Mr. L. Wann as passenger. The return trip will be made in the afternoon.

Fast Sununit Climb. Excellent time was made on Wednesday by Mr. T. Surrey, Tikorangi, who, from the north hostel, climbed to the top of Mt. Egmont and back in 2J hours. Mr. Surrey arrived at the hostel at 3 p.m. and started at once. At 5.30 he was back in the manager’s office with proofs of having reached the summit. Persistent Workers on Egmont.

Though a fine morning yesterday made conditions favourable at Mt. Egmont clouds drifted up and rain set in later in the day. A few persistent Taranaki Alpine Club members, however, continued to carry up loads of timber for the new hut at Humphries Castle. The carting went on over the week-end, but late yesterday, the men were forced on account of a high wind to abandon the work. On Salvage Bent.

Having heard that full barrels of a certain kind had been washed into the sea in the recent floods at New Plymouth most of the visitors had brought their bathing costumes, said Mr. P. Rowe, president of the South Auckland Bowling Centre, at the smoke concert at Hawera on Saturday night. He was assured later by Mr. E. T. Petty that there would be plenty of refreshment even for those who had not so provided themselves. Model Plane Record.

A meeting of the New Plymouth Model Aero,Club was held at the racecourse on Saturday. There were excellent weather conditions and a large number of members attended. E. Spindler’s model put up the best performance—Bo seconds. On Sunday morning Mr. F. J. Brown broke the club record by 10 seconds. Mr. Brown’s model, a Modelair-Cadet, was flown from Kawaroa Park near Belt Road. It was wound up to 200 turns of rubber, and let go. It circled three times, gaining height and finally flew straight out to sea. The registered time three minutes. Over 500 Runs Each.

Three batsmen of the New Plymouth Old Boys’ Cricket Club have attained the distinction of scoring 500 runs in a. single season this year, J. H. Birch in the senior eleven and R. Plumb and L. McKoy in the junior team. Birch and McKoy each scored 558, thus tying for the bat donated to the club as a trophy for the batsman scoring most runs in the season. Plumb scored 537. Battle in the Air.

A long and thrilling fight was witnessed last evening over Bell Block. A flock of starlings attacked a hawk, which had pursued some scattered members of the flock. Time and again the flock turned and swooped on the big bird, which was soon in sore straights. How the encounter finished could not be seen, but the starlings later continued their flight in leisurely fashion with no signs of the hawk. Keen Interest in Club.

Usually when a secretary of a football club resigns pressure is brought by other members to endeavour to have him reconsider his decision and when that fails numerous nominations followed by immediate refusals take place before someone agrees to temporarily fill the position. At Okato on Saturday night, however, there was a refreshing change, illustrative of the keenness with which members are approaching the season. When the secretary, Mr. K. Hickford, declared his intention of not seeking renomination efforts were made without result to persuade him to alter his decision. Three members were then nominated for the position, and two accepted nomination, a ballot resulting in the secretaryship going to Mr. R. Hickford.

Aftermaths of? Long Swim. After passing through crowds of applauding spectators, at the conclusion of the Flannagan Cup sea swim at East End on Saturday, competitors had to begin another battle, this time against a coating of thick yellow grease which was used to combat the effect of the cold water. Hot water supplied by the East End committee was appreciated by all the swimmers and they revelling in the small tin baths helped those in attendance to realise what the young men had been through. With the aid of knives, cloth, soap and hands their protective coating gradually became thinner; but even when dressed some of the competitors had a decidedly oily appearance, and their frequent use of a handkerchief showed that they felt not normally comfortable.