Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 96, 26 April 1933, Page 6

Town Talk

On behalf of the city of Wanganui the Mayor (Mr. N. G. Armstrong),laid wreaths on the Maori War Memorial in Moutoa Gardens and the Wanganui Memorial in Queen’s Park. Veronica Further Delayed. The sloop H.M.B. Veronica did not arrive in Wanganui yesterday, so that its ratings were unable to take part in the Anzae Day commemoration service on Cook's Gardens. If the weather is favourable the vessel will arrive to-day. Rotary’s Collection In four days last week £lO3 was collected by the Wanganui Rotary Club to augment the funds of the Mayor’s Relief of Distress Fund. The donations were made by the business firm-" of the city. It was announced by Mr. A. R. Donaldson, president, that the proprietors of the Elrick Tea Rooms were donating half of the proceeds from the Rotary luncheon on Monday to the Mayor’s fund as their donation. Wanganui Trains. Discussing the Wanganui tramway system in his address to the electors, His Worship the Mayor, Mr. N. G. Armstrong, paid tribute to Mr. A. E. Halligan, chairman of the Tramway Committee, for the work he had done in smoothing out the tramway finances. Mr. Halligan had been primarily responsible for carrying through the work of converting the service into one-man cars, thereby effecting a great saving to the city. Exit From Tranis During the hours when the demand on Wanganui’s tramway service is heaviest it is frequently found that the process of emptying the one-man cars is a fairly long one. This is attributed by some observers to the fact that but one exit is provided. The suggestion has been made that it might be found "convenient for the emergency exit door at the rear of the car to be opened at such times in order to expedite the emptying process and avoid lengthy delays.

■‘Belgium of the Far East’’ “Jehol can be called the Belgium of the Far East,” said Mr. L. B. Steel at the Wanganui Rotary Club’s luncheon on Monday. “It lies between Manchuria, Russia and China and whoever holds Jehol holds the key to the Far East.” He said that the country was very mountainous and had largo stretches of wild ranges, the foothills of which were cultivated by farmers. About a. tenth or twelfth of the whole area was composed of river beds in which rivers ran rapidly, eating away much of the good land. Weather on Anzae Day There has not been a wet Anzae Day since the war terminated. Yesterday gave the closest example of winter atmosphere experienced on this anniversary since it was first observed as a day of commemoration. The authorities in charge of yesterday’s afternoon service in Wanganui hud many anxious moments in the morning, but Hally decided to adhere to the outdoor programme. Their decision was justified in that the sun struggled through the clouds at fitful intervals. A biting southerly wind, however, made conditions the reverse of pleasant. Westmere Farmers Meet An enthusiastic meeting was held at Westmere, when members of the Farmers’ Union held their annual gathering on Saturday evening. Officers were elected for the coming year as follows: President, Mr. J. J. Taylor, vice-chairman, Mr. R. Laird; secretary and treasurer, Mr. B. Downes; general committee, Messrs. R. Farley, A. Laird, A. Kogers, A. Dawes, A. Lithgow, T. H. Davidson, R. S. Taylor, E. Corliss, J. A. Prugcon, C. Leach, W. Dunbar,. E. C. Morgan, T. Remington, F. S. Wilson; delegates to Wanganui, Messrs. A. Rogers, A. Laird, C. Corliss, C. Loach; delegate to conference, Mr. C. Leach. The Last Days “You and 1 are living in the very last days of the time of the Gentiles,” said Canon AV, G. Williams, when delivering the annual address at the ceremony held on Moutoa Gardens by the \\ anganui Maoris yesterday in commemoration of Anzae Day. Ho recalled ■he prophecy of Christ that Jerusalem should be trodden down by the Gentiles until the Gentiles’ time should l e fulfilled, and referred to the fall of Jerusalem and the ousting of the Turks during the Great- War. Tn 1917 the Jewish national flag had been flown for the first time in 1900 years and the national horn had been sounded at the order of the Jewish Rabbi. Palestine was once more regarded as the homo of the Jewish people and the time of the Gentiles had nearly run out. Leader on Parade

After yesterday’s parade the “Diggers,” before dismissing, gathered round General Sir Andrew Russell. The president of the Wanganui Empire Veterans’ Association, Mi’. W. H. Cannon, on behalf of the members, welcomed the old leader to Wanganui and said how proud the “Diggers” were to have him amongst them. Replying. General Russell said that it gave him a great deal of pleasure to meet old soldiers. He was glad an. Empire Veterans’ Association had been formed in Wanganui. It did not matter what the organisation was called. It was based on the ideals of the Returned Soldiers’ Association and that represented, in concrete form, the great family of the N.Z.E.I*. I LI think it is up to every one of you, in so far as you are able, to join the family.” The Genera] was eh. erect and the hope was expressed that ho would return to Wanganui on some future occasion. Old Volunteers’ Re-union For the purpose of arranging a rifle shooting match and a re-union of the old volunteer companies on June 3, a special meeting was held in Wanganui last week. It is the intention of the committee to hold the shooting match at. Put-iki and the rc-union at the Drill Hall in the evening. Seven shots are to be fired at 500 yards and five men will compose a team, one or more teams being allowed to compete from each company. Lieutenant-Colonel R. Hughes, V.D., will be in command of the parade and the Wellington-West Coast Regiment will control the shooting. An invitation has been extended to the Marton Royal Rifles to be present. It is hoped that all old volunteers of any company and rank will be present at both events, and arrangements will be made to convey those who are indisposed by Corporal W. R. McElwain, the secretary. Another meeting will take place early next month, when further decisions will be made.