Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 6

Town Talk

January Rainfall. The January rainfall as registered at Okoia, according to records kept by Mr. F. Pratt, amouneu lo 6.67 in. compared with 3.Lsin. for January of 1934. Rain fell on sixteen days of January last year, but last month's rainfall covered eleven Jays only, with 5.17 in. fallj; ing on the first three Jays of the 1 month. ■ Emperor Caterpillars. I 'Two excellent specimen- of ihe cater- ■ pillars of the Emperor moth, which has i been discovered in Wanganui and is i a native of Australia, were shown to i a ‘ l ('hronicle ' ’ reporter yesterday by I I Mr. R. S. Withers. Both wore not less j than two inches in length and were i bright green in colour. They were ' feeding on leaves of a pepper tree. I Fined for Wearing Coats. I Members of lhe Wanganui Rotary ' I Club did not stand upon ceremony yesterday at their luncheon. It was a very hot day, so they removed their coats and waistcoats. Several meiii- | bers, however, did not follow the fashion. They were lined 3d each by the acting-sergeant at arms, Rotarian J t Foster, the contributions going to the Sunshine Box fund. Idle and Disorderly. Three months’ imprisonment, in the Wellington gaol was the sentence imposed upon Leslie Wilson aged 28, single, when he was convicted of bring an idle and disorderly person by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui yesterday morning. On a charge of having failed to comply ■with the Probation Act he was remanded until this morning. Detective .1 Walsh said defci.dant had been convicted seven times for theft and had served several terms of imprisonment. Territorials in Camp. Officers and n.c.O.’s of the First Battalion. Wellington West Coast Regiment, went into camp at Kaitoke over the week-end. Major D. A. C. Lilburne was camp commandant, Captain Barry, N.Z.S.C., camp adjutant, and Captain S. 11. Gould quartermaster. Lieut.Colonel W. S. McCrorie, commanding < officer of the regiment, attended. The properly used was that, being operated l.y the d'ouths’ Afforestation Camp, and is eminently suited to such a purpose. Rotary Luncheon. Tin* first weekly lum hcon of the New , Year was held by member.- of the AVan- I ganui Rotary Club yesterday. What was described by .Dr. 11. D. Robert - i son as a. very thoughtful address was given bv Miss Mary Graham, of AVel-I lington. ' She refererd to the existing economic and social disorders and inequalities of tin* world ami suggested a method of of overcoming them with the aid ’of God. Man, she said, must begin to feel that he was a focus of invisible energy by which he manifested a real and intangible force. She was thanked for her address by Dr. Robertson. Municipal Rating. A suggestion concerning nninicipal rating was received by the Wanganui Chamber of Commerce from the Dunedin Chamber last even ,ig. The Dunedin body considered it would be better if no poll favouring rating on the improved or unimproved value of land could be taken until 25 per cent, of the ratepayers had stated that they desired a change. It was also suggested that once the poll had been taken, there should be no further puli fur seven years. At the present time, 15 per cent, of the ratepayers can demand that a poll be held, while no time limit is fixed as to when the next poll maybe taken. Wanganui, it was pointed out, and had three polls since 1925. Mr. E. M‘. Silk, acting-.hairman, considered that the suggestion for 25 per rent, of the ratepayers would be acceptable, but that a period of seven years would be too long a period before another poll was held. The letter was received, and it was agreed to discuss the suggestion at the n?xt meeting of the chamber.

Motorists’ Obligations. “This case shows the need for nn.usual vigilance on the part of motorists. He must keep his eyes ahead of him as well as watching the side streets,” said Air. J. H. Salmon S.M. at the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui vesterdav morning when dealing with a tdiarge of driving in a negligent manner preferred against Richard Holman. Sergeant J. Cleary said that on December 22 last at about 6.36 p.m. while driving n motor-cycle at about 25 m.p.h., defendant jiassed a motor-car travelling in the opposite direction. He thought he heard someone call to him from the car. He turned his head, and in doing so veered towards his wrong side on which two motorcars were appraching him. One of them pulled into the kerb. Defendant, tried to avoid it, bur his machine struck the rear of the bicycle and he was thrown to the ground, and as a result of his injuries was obliged to remain in hospital for a fortnight. Defendant was unemployed, ami his father was i n hospital. “Ln view of the fact that lhe only damage was done tfl yourself, I will not. impose the usual line,” said Air. Salmon. tDcfendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs .■•. mounting to 16s. Hr was allowed three weeks in which lo pay. Opening Overseas Parcels. A suggestion was recently made to she Wanganui Chamber of Commerce I hat the Post and Telegraph Department be asked iarrangements could be made for the customs ol’icer to attend to I he opening oi' overseas parcels later in the day than 9..'!0 a.m. to 10.’>0 a.m. It, was an awkward lun.r. it was felt, for women lo come to the city. At a meeting of the executive of the Wanganui Chamber la-t evening, Air. W. J. Cooper, postmaster at Wanganui, said that only some 14 or 15 parcels arrived in the course of a fortnight for people outside business firms. If the time for opening them were altered until later in the day. it might be difficult for the customs officer to be present. It would not be good busi ness to have a man pr< .mi for an hour al a certain time of tin 1 day to open an average of one letter or parcel a dav. It was suggested that (he time might be altered from 111 a.m. until II a.m. Mr. F. 11. Bcthwaite, however, pointed out that this alteration might inter fer (J with the attendance of the customs officer at the bond house. The officer usually arrived there about 10.3 U o'clock, and an alteration all round might be required if the period for the opening of parcels were changed. It was decided that Mr. Bcthwaite. and Mr. D. G. O'Toole interview lhe Customs Jieparlment al Wanganui, and if it was thought suitable, make arrangements for an alteration to bo effected in the. limo for (he opening of pareelfv