Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 34, 9 February 1934, Page 4

Town Talk

Donations of Bams Air. Donald Ross, of Rapanui, has donated 20 purebred Southdown rams as a contribution to the Waikato Land Settlement Society’s scheme for the establishment of unemployed and their families on the land. Pensioner’s Death. Edward Currie, an old-age pensioner residing at Putiki, dropped dead yesterday about 1 p.m. He had been in the Wanganui Public Hospital for some time but was lately discharged. No inguest concerning cause of death will be necessary. “Jay” Walking “I notice that they do not stop “J” walking in Wanganui,” said an Australian visitor yesterday. “They are enforcing the regulations in Sydney now, and you must watch your step and cross the street at right angles.” The Beautifying Society. “I would, like to sec the Wanganui Beautifying Society revived,” said a local body official to a “Chronicle” reporter yesterday. He added that Wanganui owed a great deal to the gentle men who comprised that body in the past, and ho would like to see them revive their energies. Municipal Credit. Members of the Finance Committee of the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce met Air. P. E. Tingey last night in respect to his proposal for the restricted issue of municipal credit. The whole matter, which was the subject of an address delivered to the chamber some time ago by Air. Tingey, was gone into and the committee will report to the council at the next meeting. Ideas About New Zealand Despite the fact that two expeditions to the South Pole have come via New Zealand, some Americans have not become much more acquainted, regarding the position of this country. A Wanganui boy who received a letter from an American youth this week was asked in the communication if he visited Australia very often. The American also harboured peculiar 1 ideas as to New Zealand’s climate and its proximity to the South Pole. Power Board Revenue. “The meter readings for January returned £6787 6s 4d, being an increase of d? 272 17s 3d over the amount earned from this source last year for the same period,” reported Air G. A. Amniundsen, secretary to the Wanganui-Rangitikei Electric-power Board at the board’s meeting yesterday. “This is the first : increase for this particular period since • 1930, and although the cash return is a little less than it was at that time, considering the reductions in charges, the actual volume of business is a record for January.” Skylarks. “There arc not as many skylarks in the Wanganui district as there used to be,” states a city resident who does a lot of travelling. He recollected that, many years ago, he ascended the Brunswick Hill, from the back of Aramoho. The time was 3 o’clock in the morning and a false dawn developed. It was marvellous to hear the larks suddenly break into song. There must have been hundreds of them and they sang for half a minute or so, until the light faded and they ceased as abruptly as they had begun. Nice Homesteads One of the things that impressed Air. A. R. Alartin, of Wagga, New South Wales, a member of the Australian farmers’ party, who was in Wanganui yesterday, was the pleasing appeal ance of the farm houses he had seen en route from Wellington, and about the Wanganui district. He said that the houses in his locality were not in the same class, and the New Zealand gardens were wonderful. Air. Alartin has a stud Jersey herd, and owns a property of some 1500 acres of river country. Four hundred acres are devoted to dairying and the balance to wheat growing and sheep. Act oplane Exhibit Air. Maurice King, a member of the Wanganui Aero Club, is preparing a special exhibit for the forthcoming carnival processions. It will typify the trend towards aviation, ami will be used in the evolution of transport parade, which is to be aimed at showing the growth of speed. This procession, which is to be one of the special features of the carnival, is to take place on the second Friday afternoon. A swagger, with his black billy and “bowyanged” trousers, will take the lead. If possible he will be fol lowed by a team of 10 bullocks, pack horses, old buggies, gigs, early motorcars, cars, and then Mr. King’s exhibit, in front of which will be a placard denoting “1000 miles an hour, and getting near the angels.” The rate of spcod will merely be a prediction, so vast are the possibilities of air travel. Combined Bands’ Effort. A representative meeting of the combined bands of Wanganui was held last night for the purpose of winding up the recent combined effort to raise funds. Air. E. O’Meara, honorary treasurer, said that the result might have been better, but the figures showed that the bands had not. appealed in vain. Air. E. AV. F. Gohns, the chairman, said that combined appeals were more desirable than appeals for the same purposes being made individually by the bands. Ho complimented the organisation on the harmonious manner in which the whole undertaing had been run. The secretary (Air. I. R. Brown) was instructed to convey to the candidates in the Queen Carnival sincere appreciation for the splendid results obtained in this direction. Air. C. G. Russell, representing the February Carnival Committee, wished the bands a pleasnt and fruitfull journey to Wellington, adding that while it was to be regretted that the bands would be away for the carnival period it was to bo hoped the result at the contest would be the means of rejoicing on their return to the city. Mr. Gohns assured Air. Russell that the bands regretted their absence would be necessary, but hoped that some effort would be made to avoid a similar clash of dates in the future, as the bands really desired to assist in what would undoubtedly be one of New Zealand’s finest carnivals. The last combined effort before the contest is to be the grand massed band display of February 15, at Cook’s Gardens, when the public will have an opportunity of hearing and seeing the bands at contest pitch, and as the admission prices are specially fixed to give everybody a chance of witnessing this outstanding performance, a record attendance is predicted.