In Town and Out

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 176, 27 July 1928, Page 6

In Town and Out

V plum tree on Durie Hill, bearing ripe fruit, gives evidence of the exceptional mildness of the season up to th? present time.

Postal Shooting. The Battalion Miniature Rifle Club of Wanganui is making arrangements to fire a postal match with the Royal Hampshire Regiment, which has its headquarters in England. Details are not yet complete, but great interest is being evinced in the contest.

No Subscriptions. “Our club is in such a fortunate position that we can afford to forego subscriptions this year,” said an official of a Wanganui miniature rtiie club to-day. “There are not many sporting bodies able to do that,” he added, “and, needless to say, our executive is more than popular.” Rabbit Board’s Rates

The rates for the current year for the Patea-Waitotara Rabbit Board’s district, were struck by that authority yesterday and fixed at 3-8 d a head on sheep and 1 7-8 d on cattle within the inner area, and 3-16 on sheep and 15-16 d on cattle in the outer area. The rates will produce about £750 which, with tl.o Government subsidy of £1 for £1 will be sufficient for the current year’s operations.

Pigeon Racing It was stated at the Wanganui Pigeon-Flying Club's annual meeting last night that the stakes in the Sydney Pigeon-L-Ylying Derby this year would be worth £lOOO, and that in another three years’ time would be worth nearer *3OOO. Pigeon flying has practically become Belgium’s national sport, and a Belgian enthusiast recently made £15,000 with his birds. Large sums have been made out of the sport in England. Women’s Best Room

A meeting to discuss the question of the Women’s Rest Room was held on Monday, under the auspices of the various women’s organisations or Wanganui. The secretary. Mrs Andrew was instructed to forward to the City Council the resolution expressing disfavour with the proposed site in St. Hill Street. It was the feeling of the meeting that, if the Council shou/T fail to consider its wishes a petition would be taken round. St. Paul’s Church. During next month St. Paul’s Church will celebrate its 75th anniversary, and in preparation for this, the interior of the church is to be reconditioned. At the annual meeting of the congregation on Wednesday night, the Rev. J. Paterson said that there was ample scope for beautification of the interior. The work will be financed by members of the church. Mr Paterson also said that it was hoped to build a flight of steps from Guyton Street in the near future. Church Finances. When the present St. Paul’s Church was built, a loan was raised to meet the cost. Since then the loan has been renewed and the interest has grown, so that there is not sufficient margin between rents and interest to liquidate the loan by sinking fund. This was explained by Mr R. Hughes, at the annual Congregational meeting of St. Paul’s Church. It was suggested that part of the property of the church, facing Wicksteed Street be sold, but the idea was not taken up. Rhymes with ‘ ‘Rooney.’ ’

Like the well-known English surname of Cholmondeley, there are some names, even in the United States, that prove a trap for the unwary one. Such is the name of the New York Irishman who holds the title of world’s champion boxer. Many people are heard pronouncing Tunney’s name as if it rhymed with “sunny,” but they are wrong. The name, a “Chronicle” man was informed yesterday by an American visitor, is pronounced vo rhyme with “Rooney.”

Time’s Changes That time brings its changes was demonstrated at the Castlccliff School rc-union. last evening, when the pupils’ chairs were requisitioned for sitting out between the dances. Although these chairs admirably fulfilled thmr purpose, their diminutive size was naticeable when compared with the people who sat in them. Yet, once upon a time the occupants were, then,selves, pupils of the school and couid have been comfortably seated on tne same chairs without conveying any idea of incomgruity. Headmaster For 34 Years

To have left school 20 or 30 years ago and then, on re-visiting it, find the same headmaster in charge, must be an experience which falls to the of few schools in New Zealand. Yet pW students of the Castlccliff School who attended the rc-union last evening came back to find the heartmaster of their school-days still in charge. Mr W. B. Smith has been at the school since it first opened its doors 34 years ago. Former pupils, now grown men, last night referred to the high esteem in which he was held by all who had come in contact with him.

Wild Figs Or Rabbits? Contending that wild pigs were a greater menace to back-country farms than rabbits, a deputation headed by Messrs F. O. Matthew, of Waverley, and V. Mason, of Moeawatea, yesterday waited on the Patea-Waitotara Rabbit Board with a request that the Board cease its activities. The chairman (Mr C. Smith) pointed out that there- was no provision for the Board actually disbanding but steps could be taken by the deputation to have the boundaries amended, and provided a good ease could be shown, no doubt the' Government would give effect to the request of the petitioners. The secretary (Mr G. Darbyshire) was instructed to look into the matter and inform Mr Mason as to Ihc correct procedure to be followed. Ping-Pong How popular ping-pong, or table tennis, is in Wanganui is not generally known, but in a large room on the top floor of the Majestic Theatre there gathers once a week a party of devotees o fthis fascinating indoor game. The news ot* their prowess has, it is pleasing to learn, spread from Wanganui, evidence of this fact being found in the receipt of a challenge from Palmerston North, and the Wanganui players have taken up the gauntlet that has been flung down. The match will be played next Wednesday night, and as both teams include many well-known tennis players there will probably be a large number of interested spectators.