Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 148, 26 June 1934, Page 4

Town Talk

Big Cargo Landed The overseas vessel Fife, which was I berthed at the Castlecliff Wharf recently, unloaded the largest cargo discharged at Wanganui from any one ship—39lo tons of superphosphate. Fire in Outhouse. A blaze in an outhouse at 10 Dublin Street yesterday morning caused the Wanganui Central Fire Brigade to turn out at 7.14 a.m. A wash-house was well ablaze when the brigade arrived and extinguished the flames, though not before the building and contents had been badly damaged. A stack of firewood adjoining was menaced by the blaze. There was no insurance on the outhouse. The dwelling, which is occupied by Mr. W. Holly, is owned by Mr. J. Darragh, of Feilding. Death While Driving, The death occurred suddenly yesterday of Mr. John Buckingham, aged 49, a contractor, of 46 Pitt Street. He was driving a lorry in Taupo Quay, accompanied by Mr. J. B. Corby, when he suffered a seizure, collapsed and died. The lorry continued its unguided course, and collided with a tree, but the passenger was uninjured. The late Mr. Buckingham was well-known in Wanganui, and as a young man played for the Pirates’ Football Club. He also represented Wanganui at Rugby. A Smouldering Carriage. The New Plymouth-Wellington express arrived in Marton yesterday afternoon with a strong odour of smouldering wood spreading from the carriage immediately behind the engine. The carriage was removed from the remainder of the train and a portion of the timber ripped open to locate the tire. No smoke was visible, however, and a chemical extinguisher was used as a precaution. 'The express was only a few minutes late leaving the station, the necessary alteration to the train having occupied a very short time. Paying Subscriptions. When the fixation of members’ subscriptions was being discussed at a meeting held last evening to decide whether annual competitions should be revived in Wanganui, the suggestion was made that the fee should be iixed at half a guinea. Another suggestion countered this proposal, however, the reason being given that the odd sixpence caused hesitation in payment. It was contended that whereas a request for 10s would be met by a note beingposted, the fact that an odd sixpence was required often resulted in members waiting until they came to town. Very often it was found that payment was deferred, and that a collection had had to be made, resulting in added cost to the society concerned. Loading of Ships The usual prompt methods to load overseas ships in the roadstead at Wanganui were in evidence again last week in connection with the Port Napier. This vessel arrived in the roadstead at 3.25 p.m. on Wednesday and the first lighter load left at 3.30 p.m. Tne lasr was despatched at 9.30 p.m. on Fi day and in that period the ship had absorbed a cargo of 26 lighter loads, comprising 146,170 carcases of frozen mutton, 10,250 carcases of lamb, 500 quarters of beef, 799 bags of boneless beef, 450 bales of wool, 7046 boxes of butter. 1274 crates of cheese. She left the roadstead at 2.15 a.m. on Saturday. The whole of the port’s lighterage plant was occupied in loading ner and the usual cooperation of the wateiside workers was forthcoming Ail overseas boats which have calle! at Wanganui recently have been loaded promptly. The Westmoreland, the Port Sydney and the Cambridge were among i.e number. A Great-Grandfather.

Fines are imposed upon members of the Wanganui Rotary Club whenever they gather at their Monday luncheon. The Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr. John Coull, takes good care that all latecomers pay for their tardiness by contributing towards the funds gathered for the Sunshine Box. There are various excuses raised for fining Rotarians, am. various excuses offered as to why the fines should not be paid. But only one Rotarian has been lined for being a great-grandfather.’ Mr, John Coull decided that such a signal honour wa« a £ood and sufficient reason for Mr. Hope Gibbons to be fined yesterday, anil Rotarians applauded the imposition. Mr. Hope Gibbons’ great-grand-son is the son of the eldest grandson of the Hope Gibbons family, Mr. G. Gower, who is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hope Gibbons’ only daughter, Mrs. Gower. Mr. Hope Gibbons is 77 years of age. Tn addition to being a member of the Rotary Club, he is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Wanganui Museum, president of the Wanganui Beautifying Society, and president of the Wanganui-Waitotara Patriotic Association.