Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 6

Town Talk

Home of Compassion Mrs. Kitchen is again interesting herself in the matter of assisting to care for the comforts of those in the Homo of Compassion at Christmas time. She is soliciting donations in cash or in kind to make happier the lot of {hose in unfortunate circumstances. Eggs, fruit and vegetables would be very welcome in Ihe cause being fostered. Busy Tailors Business is brisk these days at Wanganui, and not the least among tailors. A cutter informed a “Chronicle” reporter that he is distinctly nervous approaching the scanistor and his associates at work. “I daren’t go in the room and say I have a •Christmas’ order, in case 1 am bombarded with a fusilade of cotton reels,” he said. “We have had the busiest Christmas for years.” Rain and Sunshine A steady downpour of rain commenced late on Wednesday night and continued, with an odd interval, until shortly after 1 o’clock yesterday. Dull, overcast skies later gave way to bright sunshine, the weather clearing up rapidly. The heavy rain was responsible for delaying the postmen on their rounds with Christmas mail, and also holding up the loading of the Northumberland in the roadstead, and the unloading of the Kapiti and the Cahn at the wharves. Farmers and gardeners are well pleased with the rain and state that it has done much good. Rowing for Girls There is every likelihood that girls will be seen rowing in four-oared boats at the Wanganui regatta to take place on January 20. Mr. V. Clapham, chairman of the novelty committee of the Wanganui Rowing Association in formed a “Chronicle” reporter yesterday that the girls were showing great keenness in their training and were turning out for practise rows at 6 o’clock in the morning. He is hoping that arrangements may be made with a ladies’ crew from New Plymouth to be present to compete with the Wanganui girls, and is confident that a good class of rowing will be produced. A Runaway Horse At lull gallop, a runaway horse careered on tu the Dublin Street Bridge last evening about 8 o’clock with a light dray load of hay swaying perilously benind him. Zig-zagging along the road, to the concern of pedestrians and cyclists, be made straight for an oncoming tram. Had it not been for the prompt action of a passing cyclist, an accident might have occurred. Pedalling hard, however, the man on the bicycle caught up with the dray, jumped to tne road and sprinted to gather the reins. He checked the horse just in time to prevent a collision with the tram which, by this time, had pulled up. Onlookers state that the action was particularly plucky, as the cyclist might have been seriously injured had he made a false move and slipped when securing the reins. interesting Criticism ‘‘As i am greatly interested in the export of New Zealand butter Lu tins country, 1 was making enquiries last week with the local stores as to its sale,” says an Englishman, writing from Home to a resident in \\ anganui. “They informed me that the demand for New Zealand butter has fallen on of late, the public stating that the butter is too hard, it seems to me that some people are too critical over what they cat, so 1 asked an opinion from my wife, and she says that it certainly is the hardest butler that she has come across, but she does not think that is really a detriment. As 1 said, some people are faddy, and there might be some reason why your butter has this peculiarity. L cannot believe it is a matter of refrigeration.” It is interesting to note that this particular Englishman first took an interest in New Zealand butter as a result of a gift being sent to him last year. Remembering the Children Strains of “Good King Weuscelaus,” “Goud Christian Men Rejoice,’’ “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” intermingled with other well-known car ols, were to be heard by people passing the offices of the Fanners’ Lnion in Ridgway Street last evening. It was not a meeting of farmers anticipating th c Wanganui wool sale, as might naturally have been supposed, but members of the Wanganui Empire Veterans’ Society singing as they prepared some 400 bags of Christmas cheer for the children of unemployed returned soldiers. Heaps of lollies and other good things were disappearing into bright red bags which, in turn, found then way into more prosaic-looking brown paper bags in which buns and cakes are to bo placed to-day. They will then be taken to the Victoria League rooms and will be distributed to the children. There are some 200 unemployed returned soldiers in Wanganui, and the committee of the society has made every effort to sec that some of the good things of Christinas time are given to the men’s children. The singing, a reporter was informed, was to ensure that none of the committee inadvertently placed an occasional lolly in their mouths. Traffic Congestion Congestion of traffic in the centre of the city, notably i n the Avenue, is giving rise to concern, and yesterday the matter was looked into by Mr. J. D. Crowley, chairman of the Works Committee, and Cr. G. H. Trott. In company with the acting city engineer (Mr. V. C. llapson), and thc chief city inspector (Mr. G. Fear), they inspected the position in the Avenue as it was then, and also the various parking places. It was realised that in many cases business proprietors themselves contributed to the parking problem by allowing their own cars to stand all day opposite their premises. A good deal of latitude has been allowed thejn of late, but a friendly piece of advice was Jet fall by thc civic authorities that firmer steps would have to be taken in the future. Everything possible will be done not to hinder trade, but parking all day in the on c place will not be looked upon as being within reason, particularly at this time of the year. To cope with the demand for parking the City Council contemplates making use of a portion of Watt Street, behind th« Alexander Museum. A roadway will be formed from thc Veterans’ steps to provide access to the latter locality. In view of the fact that these areas could not be got ready in time, thc council is appealing to motorists generally, and especially those who occupy premises in the Avenue and other shopping centres, not to regard the main streets as all day, or all-night parking places.