Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 233, 1 October 1929, Page 6

Town Talk

White Frosts Three white frosts have been recorded in Wanganui on three successive days. Residents on the lower levels hold that they have*been the hardest experienced for some years. Drinking Milk. A Wanganui dairy farmer remarked yesterday that it was a surprising fact that very few children brought up on farms were great milk drinkers. He had been told by Dr. Henderson Medical Officer of Health that 10 per cent, of the children of sharemilkers, whose conditions he investigated, never drank milk. | Surprising Total The elimination of the lt devil’s elbow” on the Turakina Hill has reduced the distance from top to bottom by ten- chains. Basing an estimate on present day traffic a competent authority estimates that this reduction will mean a saving to motor vehicles of approximately 30,000 miles a year. It may be imagined what that will mean measured in tyres and petrol. Counting the Piles. Preparations for the erection of the Harbour Board’s groyne above the town bridge, engaged th 0 attention of an inebriated passer-by on Saturday. He was endeavouring to make a correct count of the piles, and wa s offered assistance by a jocular resident of Durie Hill. “Don’t want any ashshistance,” the counter declared. “Counted ’em twice, and there’s two too many. Knew they’d make a mistake an> soon there’ll be no bridge.”

Rugby Meeting. An important meeting insofar it affects Rugby players and supporters, will be held to-night, when delegates to the Metropolitan Rugby Union will gather to discuss suggestions made by players and others interested in the oval ball code. It is expected that, as a result of the round-table discussions that will take place many us.eiu. ideas may be embodied in recommendations for next year’s committee to ponder over.

Last of the Pound. Residents in the vicinity of the intersection of London and Harrison Streets will note with pleasure the announcement that the public pound situated on the western side of the railway line at this point, will be closed as from to-day. The pound has had a varied list of occupants since it was established at this site, and a search in. the records would reveal some interesting facts about the history of the pound. Youthful' Golfers.

It is worthy of note, in connection with the big golf tournament being held at the Belmont links, that the day of youth in golf has been definitely established. Among the 32 amateurs who commence to play off for the championship to-day are four young players who have not before contested a national championship tourney. Two of ‘.heora are Wanganui youths, while the other two are from Christchurch and Palmerston North. It will be interesting to see how they fare during the remainder of the play. A New Troop Sworn In.

Last evening the Wanganui Boy Scout Commissioner, Mr Hector Christie accompanied by the District Secretary Mr A. F. A. Woollams, D.S.M. Minneli and a party of scouters, journeyed to Waitotara for the purpose of swearing-.n a new troop oi Scouts recently organised there. After the scoutmaster and his assistant had boon duly t-worn m. the entire troop, numberng 15 strong, accepted the Scout- oath. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the visitors were entertained with musical items and a bounteous supper.

Empire Trade Week. A start was made yesterday to lay out the Drill Hall in readiness for the staging of the Industrial exhibition in connection with Empire Trade Week, which is to be opened by the Mayor (Mr W, J. Rogers) to-morrow night. A feature of the opening ceremony will be a procession of British-made cars, headed by the various city bauds. This will proceed through the Avenue, which will be specially lighted for the occasion. The National Anthem will be played at the hall entrance by the massed bands, following which the opening ceremony will take place. Equipment Not Returned.

A charge of failing to return military equipment was preferred against Roy Hibberd at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. It was stated that the defendant had paid up the cost of the equipment, but had put the Defence authorities to trouble and expense in the matter. He was convicted and ordered to pay 12s costs of the prosecution. Keith J. Hodgson was charged with failing to attend drill. The trainee had been certified as being unfit owing to defective eyesight, but this was not ascertained until after the notice to attend drill had been given. He was ordered to pay 12s costs.

Durie Hill Improvements. At a recent meeting of the Durie Hill Ratepayers’ Association complimentary references were made to the work being carried out by the City Ciuncil under the guidance of the engineer (Mr J. S. L. Deem) to improve streets and footpaths in that suburb. At the junction of Taylor and Fife Streets the locality has been transformed from a wilderness of weeds and rubbish to something distinctly more pleasing. Concrete kerbing has been fashioned in a horse-shoe bend and preparations made to extend the lawn on each side of the footpath right up to the street junction. On the zig-zag further improvements are being carried out to conform with the street Widening at the junction with Allison street.

Trip to New Plymouth. A suggestion made at the annual meeting of the Gonville Swimming Club last week appears to find favour with swimming enthusiasts in Wanganui. It is hoped to organise another railway excursion during January similar to that which enabled a large party of Wanganui people to visit Wellington during the 1928-29 national championships in that city. The objective during the present season is New Plymouth, and the project consists of running a special excursion train up on a Saturday, the return trip being made on the following afternoon. Present indications are that there would be fully 200 excursionists if the suggestion is carried out and the necessary interest worked up.