LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19784, 7 March 1927, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

There is on view in the "Chronicle’s” Avenue office window a number of fine photographs of tho recent Royal visit, which depict the huge crowd present in Cook’s Gardens on Thursday. The photographs were taken by the Tesla Studios.

More immigrants will arrive at Auckland to-day by the liner Tamaroa from England. The new arrivals total 265, including 40 domestic servants. Two men comprise the quota for New Plymouth, and two men, five women and three children are booked for Wanganui. There are none for Palmerston North.

One of the highest spring tides experienced for years was recorded a'v Castlecliff yesterday. The scene when the tide was at it, highest was an inspiring one indeed, and surf shoorers had particularly fine sport in the big combers. The tide reached to the first line of brush breakwind shields tn front of the Surf Club pavilion.

A return to the brilliant weather conditions which ruled a few weeks ago was experienced over the weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday were glorious days, and Saturday’s rogattc was staged under pleasant circumstances. Yesterday the warmth of the city caused many to seek ease and coolness at Castlecliff and Kai Iwi.

A visitor to Wanganui, who was present on the occasion of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York on Thursday, remarked on the fine stamp of youth on the 'oval at Cook’s Gardens. Compared with other centres of the Dominion the children of Wanganui were very robust and tall, and carried the real stamp of the fine Colonial breed.

Two cars collided in Glasgow Street yesterday morning, with the result that the lighter machine overturned in spectacular style. Its occupants were spilled on the roadway, but did not suffer serious injuries. Both automobiles were damaged. In Plymouth Street on Saturday night two other cars damaged each other, but no one was hurt.

Cars, motor-cycles, delivery trucks, and bicycles, all formed part of the grand parade which followed the races at Saturday’s regatta. Fortunately it was almost all one way traffic—up to the start and back to tho finish—but how accidents were avoided is rather a mystery, for those in control of the various conveyances had one eye for the river and only one for the road.

A wellknown wireless enthusiast of Wanganui was responsible for a smart rescue at Castlecliff beach on Saturday afternoon. While bathing he noticed a young lady in difficulties, and he immediately swam to the rescue and. brought the young lady ashore. Although there was no danger of her being drowned, she found great difficulty in getting ashore and was thankful for tho assistance.

The exceedingly dry weather of the past few days, coupled with the heavy week-end traffic, has had a detrimental effect to roads in and around Wanganui, and motorists report that a good deal of loose metal is now lying on the highways. The dust from the loose metal, too, has tended to make motoring conditions decidedly unpleasant. Several grass fires were also observable on the nearby hillsides.

Blackberry pickers entered into operations in earnest in the Wanganui district during the week-end and hundreds from the city made systematic invasions on various chosen spots where the plant was most prolific. Though, not meeting with the approval of farmers, blackberries are nevertheless much relished by numerous city families and many cars returned to town yesterday laden with sundry tinfuls.

A prominent Wanganui musician and a friend were talking at the Post Office corner on Saturday morning, when a sheep-dog trotted past with a leg of mutton suspended from its mouth. The musician remarked that the dog would make a good bandsman. "Why?” asked his friend. "Because he is taking his parts home for practice like any other good bandsman,” replied the musician.

A party of Wanganui swimmers, including Miss Natalie Stratton and W. Ryland, journeyed to Fcilding on Saturday to compete at the Feilding Club’s carnival. Miss Stratton was first in the 100 yards handicap from 5 seconds in 73sec. W. Ryland was second in the, 220 yards handicap, and was first in the big 100 yards sprint. Among the competitors in the ladies’ events were Miss Edna Stockley, New Zealand lady champion sprinter, and Miss Miller.

On Somme Parade on Saturday afternoon a small boy who ran across the road without the slightest heed to traffic conditions nearly caused a lot of trouble. Almost running under the wheels of a car, he caused the motorist to head for the river bank in order to avoid bowling him over. The quickness of the tfnotorist saved tho heedless youngster an unpleasant spill, but only his four wheel brakes stopped the motorist from driving into the river after he had avoided the boy.