Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 112, 14 May 1931, Page 6

Town Talk

Winter Show Dates. The Wanganui Winter Show is to to be held on June 25, 26 and 27. Mr John Hislop’s Concert. The report of M r John Hislop’s concert appearing in the “ Chrcaicle” was not from the writer whose noni-de-plunio is “C Sharp.’’ Foot and Mouth Disease At the annual meeting of the Okoia branch of the Farmers’ Union a remit was passed condemning the action of the Board of Agriculture in recommending the lifting of the embargo on imported stock. Unpaid Hospital Fees. Over ten applications for leniency in the payment of accounts wore received at the monthly meeting of lhe Patea Hospital Board last, Tuesday. Al the same meeting it was also remarked that only 42 of the 159 operations during the past year had been paid for. Largely Attended Meetings It has been remarked upon that, the New Zealand Farmers’ Union in the Wanganui district is showing marked signs of revival. Attendances at branch annual meetings this year, especially on the south side of the river, have constituted a record.

Local Bodies’ Conference. The Patea County Council received a letter from the Transport. Department at its recent, monthly meeting, proposing a conference of local authorities, tho question to consider being the classification of roads in the several counties. The council decided to support the holding of a conference.

Mind, conscious ami sub-conscious. Tho mind, conscious and sub-conscious, was the subject of a talk by Sister Jannette Falconer at the Wanganui Psychology Club at the club’s rooms last evening. There was a full attendance. On Thursday evening the visitor will discourse upon “Physical Problems of To-day. ’ ’

Harbour Board Chairmanship. It is understood that there is likely to be a contest for the chairmanship of the Wanganui Harbour Board at the annual meeting of that body and that the candidates will be Mr J. T. Hogan, M.P., the present chairman, and Mr A. S. Burgess, who has been added to th< board as the result of the recent election. Rats’ Nest of Fourteen.

A concrete path which caved in cn premises at Wanganui the other day revealed a rats’ u*st, and with the aid of a dog and a magpie, the householder brought, no loss than fourteen young , rats to light. Tho parent rats wore not at home, otherwise there would have been more sport for the dog and his feathered friend, but as it was, they enjoyed themselves with many croaks and barks.

More Co-operation Wanted. When Mr J. Elliott waited on the Agricultural and Pastoral Association yesterday he stated that the Winter Show executive did not favour the holding of the Autumn Show. That would be too close to the Winter Show his executive thought. He said his committee sought assistance from the parent body in the matter of co-opera-tion. A committee comprising Messrs J. Valentine, J. B. Hogg, J. Grant, N. Fulton, and W. Cooper were appointed to confer with the Winter Show. Mr R. Farley said the matter of holding an Autumn Show was still in the air and no definite arrangements had been made. Valuation of Land

Reference to the true value of land was made in the report submitted to the annual meeting of the Okoia branch of the Farmers’ Union. Therein the opinion was expressed that intending purchasers should be able to obtain good advice from union branches as to the real value of land in whatever district they were concerned with. It was held that if practical advice of this nature was available it would prevent many of the failures which occur through lack of knowledge of local con ditions on the part of purchasers from Other parts. A remit covering these points was framed for submission 1o the forthcoming inter-provincial conference in Palmerston North. Varied Opinions on Fusion. Politics figure largely in farmers' discussions these days, the offer of fusion and its rejection apparently setting a spark to start tongues wagging. Politics is a forbidden subject within the Farmers’ Union as that organisation stands for “principles, not party.” It was noticeable yesterday, however, just prior to the opening of the annual meeting ol the Wanganui centre of the Union, that the solo topic of discussion was fusion. It was noticeable, too, when there a lull in the meeting's proceedings, that thov. >hts went back Io the burning topic of the day. A reporter anxious to learn what the fanning viewpoint is on the subject, came away well convinced that opinion varies. Prom Steam to Oil The steam launch Advance, which has had a varied career on the Waikato River, in the Auckland Harbour and on the Wanganui River, has been converted into a very trim petrol craft to be used for fishing off the Wanganui Heads and along the coast. Mr F. Freeman is lhe new owner and he has fitted the boat out with up-to-date engines and suitable refrigeration space. The Advance was chartered originally to carry 84 passengers and she plied back and forth among lhe bays ol the. Waitemata. She was also used on the Waikato River. For the past few years she was owned by the Wanganui River Gravel Company and was moored on the left bank of the river near the Dublin Street Bridge. Business for the Council •Several important matters await the consideration of the newly-elected council to-morrow night. The principle business of the meeting will be to elect committees, but the following items appear on the order paper as having been deferred by (he old council; coal contract with R. S. Lamb and Coy, tram way engineer’s report and estimates, city engineer’s report regarding out side staff, gas engineer's report regard ing coke and gas and the city vngin ear’s annual report. Framing of estimates ami the consequent striking ot the rate tor the ens’ing term will also be a subject for early consideration, and in this the council will have to bear in mind the probable amount of a labour rate and the levy the hospital board will make on the city to cover (he next twelve months. Hospital estimates have not been completed yet ami every endeavour is being made by that body to reduce expenditure and so lighten t'Z’ 'rden on contributing Io cal bodie-K