RANGATAUA NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 22 December 1908, Page 2

RANGATAUA NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

To-day the local sawmills ceased operations for the Christmas holidays, and Monday will no doubt se3 a big rush for the trains both North and South. Last Christmas the journey had to be raadi* in open trucks, but this Christmas we .'have tho very latest comfortable carriages to travel in. Our station, wj 11 have quite a busy appearance at 8 a.m. each day, .as tho two express trains aro timed to cross here during Christmas and-New Year. Mr James,:-architect to the Wanganui Education Board, w.aa* here last week and passed the timber for the i school building. Tho contractor, Mr Wallace, is busy getting the timber on to tho ground, and it is to be hoped that the weather will be favourable during tho next few weeks, so that the building will be ready for tho children after the vacation, otherwise tho reopening must bo postponed as the present. "Public Works'building cannot be »>ed as a schoql any, longer. It"\is a, 'great pity that a larger school Is not / being erected, as it is expected that in a month or so, and with good reason by thoso that aro here on the spot, that the accommodation will be severely taxed It is very short-sighted policy on tho part of the Education Department. On'tho 7th inst. the town sections wcrdi ei-posed of, and between 60 and 70 t-octions were taken up. Several owners of freehold sections liavo already been offered advanced figures, and one section has actually changed hands. Judging by the activity that is being displayed in clearing the sections (which are covered with felled bush) it is apparent that the rapid progress of the town is assured. At a public meeting held on Tuesday night, the 15th inst., a deputation to Mr Jennings, M.P., was decided on. The time was opportune, as Mr Jenliings was to be banqueted at Ohakuno on the 17th inst.

Messrs Snow (chairman), Xisley (secretary), Saunders-Shemmings, Wilson, Gordon, and Punch (County Councillors for this Riding) were appointed to wait on the member. It was ascertained that he would arrive by the 8 p.m. train on Wednesday, and the members oi" the deputation lost no time in making all arrangements. The result was in every way satisfactory, and Mr Snow, m a very businesslike .manner, put the various wants forcibly before Mr Jennings. Should we get immediata attention given to the^ various matters brought forward, the inconveniences which now exist will vanish. On Thursday morning the member was shown over the township and works of interest. He seemed favourably impressed and I think agreed that the town had a good future before it. Tho result of the Webb-Arnst sculling match was awaited with great interest, and keen disappointment was felt at the defeat of Webb.

A number of our chopping men aro in active training for the Eltliam chop, and should give a good account of themselves