Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 164, 14 July 1933, Page 4

Town Talk

When a party was taken by the Y.M.C.A. to the Parapara Camp at the U mile peg on Wednesday evening, Maypole Stores, Ltd., provided tea and Kernohan’s, Ltd., sugar for the relief workers’ supper. Varieties of Veronica.

Three different varieties of veronica are growing freely in the sand dune country on the Flock House Estate, near the mouth of the Rangitikei River. It is interesting to remember that there are 168 varieties of veronica, but only one, of that number is noted for its perfume.

Beautifying the Road. $ In order to obliterate advertisements on tho side of tho roads at, Kai Iwi, the Waitotara County Council is going to plant trees wherever possible. The trees have been ordered and will be planted as soon as they arrive. The council intends to beautify the main highway in that locality.

Welcome Safety-Pin. “How fortunate i/>r me that I am a ‘Chronicle’ subscriber,’’ exclaimed a Gonvillc resident yesterday. He explained that with his morning paper had been delivered a safety-pin, and this proved most welcome when extra strain on his braces when alighting from a tram cam; el them to snap, imperilling his nether garments.

In Cartoons. Cartoonist J Kingi has directed his talent to assist the good cause of the Police and the Press, and his pen has drawn the members of the team picked by the men in blue. He has also devoted a special page to the antics of tho Press under the heavy ordeal of training. Th© work will be displayed in the “Chronicle’s” Avenue office window this afternoon.

Effect of Reduction. “The reduction in domestic heating where ranges are in use, approx ed last month, has already resulted in a number of enquiries both for heaters and ranges and indications are that this reduction will be the means of a very definite increase in the board’s business,” reported Mr. G. A. Ammundsen, secretary of the Wanganui-Rangitikoi Electric-power Boatd, at its monthly meeting yesterday.

Schoolgirl Injured. Bruises and cuts, which necessitated her being taken to the Wanganui Public Hospital, were suffered by Miss Joyce Sutherland, a schoolgirl, when she collided with a motor truck at the bottom of St. John’s Hill yesterday afternoon at about 4.15 o’clock. Miss Sutherland was riding into Victoria Avenue, having descended St. John’s Hill, while th© lorry was proceeding from the London Street Extension into London Street. It was reported at the hospital last evening that the girl’s condition was satisfactory. She lives at 104, Harrison Street.

Army’s 49th Anniversary. The 49th anniversary of the Wanganui corps of the Salvation Army is to be celebrated by a re-inion of old identities to take place in the Citadel tomorrow night. On Tuesday night an anniversary tea will take place in the Citadel, at which Brigadier D. Macaulcy, of Wellington, will preside. A feature of the function will be the cutting of the 1261 b cake which has been especially made for the occasion. It is made in three tiers and contains, among the ingredients, 17 dozen eggs. Slices of the cake will be sold for a small consideration and the amount so collected will be added to the Salvation Army funds. Unpainted Mudguards.

The fact that there are many cyclists in Wanganui who are riding bicycles which have not tho rear muguard painted white was the subject of comment at the meeting of the Wanganui Automobile Association on Wednesday night. The danger of such a practice was stressed and it was pointed out that it was particularly difficult for a motorist to sc© a bicycle at night unless tho mudguard were painted and that therefore any cyclist who neglected to comply with the regulations was running a risk of personal injury. It was considered that the notice of the authorities should be directed to the matter. Improvement in Revenue.

“Tho total revenue from June meterreadings was £7441 6s lOd, which is au improvement by £BB 3s lOd over last year’s figures,” stated Mr. G. A. Ammundsen, secretary of the Wanga-nui-Rangitikei Electric-power Board, at the monthly meeting yesterday. “Though the nett increase is small, the fact that there was a definite improvement in the returns from the sales for lighting and heating over the whole of the board’s area must be regarded as very satisfactory. When preparing the estimates for the current year, a decrease over last year’s figures was anticipated, while so far, a small increase has been steadily maintained.” Old Games Never Die

Memories of great games played on the Rugby field linger clearly for many years, and a concrete example of that was given, amid the sand dunes of Flock House yesterday. Discussing whether pine trees would thrive in the drifts from the shore and live down the deadly salt spray, Colonel I’owles, in charge of Flock House, and Mr. Tancred Cooper, secretary to the Wanganui Development League, suddenly discovered that they played against each other in 1890, Mr. Cooper as captain of the Wanganui Collegiate School team and Colonel I’owles for Wellington College. The matter came up quite casually, but certainly became very definite when the rivals of 43 years ago went into details. “Thor© was one particular line-out. You remember So-and-so took the ball. . .” And all the way back to Flock House memories of a great game were kindled anew. It doesn’t matter now who won.

An Interesting Relic. Members of a Wanganui party who visited Flock House yesterday were interested in a piece of wreckage from the ill-fated warship Hampshire, which struck a mine off tho Orkneys, north of Scotland, and went down with Lord Kitchener and all hands aboard. There were three survivors. This grim relic of the war is displayed in the reception hall and is a reminder of the part; played by the British Navy and of the risks run to keep the gateways of the

seas open. Originally, Flock House was founded on a fund established by New Zealand shcepowncrs in acknowledgment of the debt they owed to tho na\y, and boys who were orphaned ns the result of naval warfare formed the first, contingents of lads who received their instruction under the Flock House scheme. In later years the ramifications of the. fund were made to embrace sons of New Zealanders. It was also extended to give tuition to girls daughters of British seamen lost in tho war.