LOCAL AND GENERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19787, 10 March 1927, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

The secretary of the Hospital Board acknowledges the following gifts to the hospital:—Books, Joyce Cameron, Mrs Allan Cameron; magazines, Mrs H. D. Robertson. The City Council staff is busily engaged in the collection of rates, in view of the financial year closing on March 31, and the 10 per cent penalty will bo added to rates not paid by March 18. Several Wanganui boxing enthusiasts intend going to Wellington to-day, to see to-night ’s fight between th e boxers, Purdy and Grime. Most of the local Contingent are going by car, and some >f them ar e returning after the fight. Several accidents have been narrowly averted at the railway crossing at the corner of the Lilly Bank and Station roads, Westmere, owing to a large hawthorn hedge which screens the crossing. The hedge serves no useful purpose and its would be in the interests of safety. At the quarterly Wellington Licensing Committee meeting, the police presented an adverse report on two hotels, but stated they could not produce sufficient evidence in one, so that matter was adjourned. In the other the licensee was stated to be endeavouring to dispose of the license. “Prompt date” for the last Wanganui wool sale falls to-morrow, when the produce purchased at the sale must be paid for, and delivery taken by the buyers. The last two sales have been large, and the local firms handling the wool have been kept busy. Another sale, th e last of the season, will be held on March 23. Trout fishing at Tokaanu at the present time is apparently providing excellent sport for anglers. A Wanganui fishing enthusiast returned to the city this week, the proud bearer of a fine one-day fatch of 16 rainbow trout. So elated was he at his success that he had the fish specially prepared at a local restaurant, where he regaled a party of friends with the results of his sport. When cycling down Durie Hill yesterday a boy was thrown heavily to the ground through the forks of his machine collapsing. Following closely behind was a motorist who had difficultyin avoiding the boy as ho lay on the road. As it was he ran over the smashed bicycle, and ran his car into the bank in avoiding its rider. Fortunately he vas abl G to help the unfortunate cyclist, who was considerably knocked about, by bringing him in to town to his home. The new grandstand at Spriggens Park is nearing completion, and is a substantial looking structure. With extensive seating accommodation, it wt'l offer to crowds of Rugby enthusiats an opportunity to view big games under excellent conditions. Another feature will bo the presence of up-to-daro drossing facilities, under the stand, for players and referees. Entrance gates for the Park have been presented to the sub-union by Mr G. Spriggens, after whom the reserve is now named, and they will shortly be placed in position. Good progress is being made with various construction jobs in progress in the city. In the Avenue the most important work is the block under erection for the Methodist Church trustees. The upper structure of the building is now being completed, and its outlines are shrouded in supports and scaffolding. Opposite are the new city gas offices, almost ready for occupation. In

St. Hill Street the Power Board’s offices, Spriggens’ Hotel and a new factory for the Aerated Water Coy. are "being built, while in Maria Place the new museum is taking shape, and in Ridgway Street the finishing touches are being given to the new Trafalgar buildings.

What was formerly one of Wanganui’s “show” places, the home of the late Miss Alexander, now bears the appearance of a deserted garden. The property is now owned by the trustees of the Roman Catholic Church, and when put up for auction recently did not attract any bids. Old residents will remember a large tree, faultlessly trimmed, which stood on the Avenue frontage. It was cut down when the adjacent garage was built. The ornamental trees bordering the drive still remain, but they arc rot trimmed with the care formerly bestowed on them.

Roads in the vicinity of Wanganui are at present very dry and dusty as a result of the continued hot weather. The dry summer is having its effect on grazing country and crops, and farmers are anxious for sustained rain, in order that a feed shortage later on may be avoided. In the city the effects of the dry weather are evident in parched gardens and lawns, and in a shortage of water with which to relieve the situation.

Much has been said of the beautiful bouquet placed by the Duchess at the foot of the cenotaph at Hamilton last week but nothing of its subsequent mysterious disappearance. And this was the manner of it. A young lady who was not present at the ceremony happened to pass the cenotaph during tho afternoon. She noticed the beautiful flowers. “What a shame,” she said, 1 ‘such lovely things should be left to wither.” Not a thought entered her mind that the flowers had been deliberately placed there. So she picked them up and carried them home. She was horrified that evening when showing the bouquet to some girl friends to learn that she had unconsciously appropriated the Duchess’ tribute to the fallen. It was then too late to remedy matters, so she made the best of the situation and distributed the flowers among her friends The satin streamers, however, she refused to part, with, and they now form the most cherished treasure of her glory box Some day she hopes, they will adorn her wedding bouquet