LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17076, 1 September 1917, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

_Men, women and spades are wanted ;at the potato planting this afternoon, Wanganui East Esplanade. There will be afternoon tea.

At the monthly meeting of directors held .in the Public Library^ Thursday evening, it was decided for the future to close the Library at 9 p.m. on Monfll- *uf da/ s > Wednesday and Thursdays, insteadl of at 9.30 p.m. as in the past; on Fridays the building will still be kept open until 9.30 p.m. This will take effect from Monday, the 3rd inst. Mr. Varney, National Secretary of New Zealand V.M.C.A., arrived in Wanganui last night. Mr. Varnex will have a busy time calling on old friends, A large gathering of ladies is expected in the afternoon to hear his address on women's part in th« great war. A special attraction for to-night will be his pictures taken in the trenches in France and at various base camps. No one should miss hearing Mr. V&rney's story. A big effort was made yesterday by the supporters of the various babies in the voting competition. Stalls in the streetwweer c much in evidence where flowers, produce, etc., were 6* sale. Ihe Mangamahu and Wanganui ladies concentrated their efforts for the farmet- soldier's bariy at the Ked Cross Shop where a brisk sale of, produce, etc took* place and a large stock was disposed or. . Last nighfc an auction sale was held in the,streets on behalf of another of the candidates, when bargain prices ruled with a vengeance I o-day the candidates' supporters will make another big effort, and the result will be awaited with great interest. 4 The current issue, of the Wanganui Collegian" to hand is an interesting number, and the literary standard set m the past is well maintained Football and the war are the chief topics dealt with, the former receiving most promi nence. The fine records of the school ntteens are referred to in detail but with a modesty that does not in all cases do justice'to the players. There are three fine illustrations— the cadH corps on parade,' the senior football team that met Te Aute, and the officers and senior n.c.o.'s who took paVt in the barracks" training last Easter. An interesting section of the publication is the biography of the soldier old-boys and letters from the front. '

In one week John Buchan, author of Greenmanfcle" and "The Battle c£ the Somme," the new chief of the Britian h oreign Office publicity department, lost both his brother and his business partuer m the flame of battle. His brother, Lieut. Alastair Buchan, of the Koyal hoots Fusiliers, only 22 years of age, went straight from" college to join the army in tnvs first week of the Avar. Captain. Nelson, John Buclian s partner in the publishing firm of Thomas Nelson an ( j Co.. was the most Dnlhant Rugby footballer of his time. John Buchaai was for a time on the staff of the .Britisli Army in France, and it was in one of his official press despatches that he quoted Kipling's line, ' The captains and the kings depart," which the field censor prophylactised by deleting "and the kings,' 3 and thus gamed immortality!

Mr. Kebble, of the Public Works Department, is at present at Marton, collecting data in connection with the hydro-electric scheme.

One of the best-known landmarks in Wanganui is a Spanish oak-tree in the garden of Miss Alexander's residence. The tree, which was always kept beautifully trimmed, overhung the rootpatu in Victoria Avenue, and on account of its symmetry and size it was greatly admired by local residents and visitors. Sa c l to tay, the tree-has now been shorn of its beauty, half of the branches being lopped off yesterday m to make room for a new building on the property adjoining. Under ordinary circumstances, trees on private property are not allowed to. overhang the roadway, but the Spanish oak was regarded in the light of a scenic asset, and in that respect it was protected by a- special resolution on the books of the Borough Council.

Volunteers are wanted at the Wanganui East Esplanade this afternoon tor potato planting, when, it is hoped"1 to complete the work, should sufncient helpers roll up. Several s-pades or sho- { vels are required. Men are required for making the holes, and the ladies for dropping th e potatoes. A quick lunch wili be provided for those coming to work at 1 o'clock, and afternoon tea for all workers. For this, little " baskets" are requested. The scene will be a busy one. The work will be divided into six divisions, and each division can take about twenty workers, so that over a hnudred volunteers Are required. Every person who can bring a, spade is kindly asked to do so. The location of the planting is about two minutes' walk from the Dublin Street bridge.

Two ladies—recent visitors to New Zealand—on<j from Devonshire', the other from Russia, appeared on the scene of the potato planting at the Esplanade yesterday morning. One had a spade over her 'shoulder. -Both set to work in earnest, and worked until knock-off time. They both enjoyed the work so much that they are looking forward to being on tha job this morning. This is an example which many men could have followed. Several Technica ICollege boys have been looking for tjje Collegiate School holiday makers, of whom only one turned up. Great work lias been done since Tuesday morning, and over ten miles of rows have been planted by spade, and another five miles By plough. The soil on this reserve is recognised as the finest around Wanganui, and experts say a great crop should result, with favourable climatic conditions.

The following may interest our Presbyterian readers. An American exchange, under the heading ",In the Forefront," says: Presbyterians' may take a just pride in the. fact that so j many of their members are in the forefront of affairs to-day. President Wilson, Vice-President Marsliall, and Secretary of State Lansing, and, we believe, some other members of the Cabi,net, are Presbyterian leaders. Mr. Balfour, probably the greatest English statesman of to-day, who headed tha commission from Great Britain to this country, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and so is Sir Douglas Haig, who commands the British forces in France. General Joff re, the Marshal of France, and the hero of the Marne, and who was the head of the French Commission to this country, is a member of the French Presbyterian Church. General Pershing, who is in command }of our troops in, France, is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. This 1 list can be greatly increased. The paper adds: It is a cause for thankfulness that toe affairs of the nation are ;in the hands of such men.