Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 197, 23 August 1935, Page 6

Town Talk

School Hockey Team. The Wanganui Technical College senior hockey team, which has plaved two games at Auckland, i.s expected'' to return to Wanganui to-morrow. The Wanganui team played Auckland Grammar on Wednesday and Alount Albert yosterdav.

Y.M.C'.A. Membership Increases. A steady increase in tho membership of the Wanganui Y.AI.C.A. is being recorded, the rate of progress noted a couple of months ago being maintained

as a result of the activities of Air. L Cross, general secretary, and Mr. A Kounthwaite, assistant-secretary. With in six months, it is claimed, the membership has increased nearly ten fold, and the “drive” is now well on its way to recording the 400th member.

Competitions Society. At a meeting of the executive of the Wanganui Competitions t Society held on Wednesday night an audited statement of accounts was presented, disclosing that the society had finished the year with a few pounds in hand. It has decided to hold the annum meeting next Wednesday and on that occasion decide whether the public support accorded the movement would justify the society continuing its activities.

“The League or—?” “We look forward to the League of Nations functioning definitely and well. If it fails, God help us.”—Thus Air. E. F. Hemingway, chairman of the Wanganui Education Board, at a meeting of the board on Wednesday, when an application was received from the president of the Wanganui branch of trie League of Nations Union asking that a League of Nations school book lie approved fc-r application by any teachers who cared to use it. The board approved of the book.

Repertory Club Night. Continuing its series of club nights the Wanganui Repertory Theatre presented the one-act play ‘‘The Mere Alan/’ by Herbert Swears, lastnight. The producer was Miss Alix Strachan and the cast as follows:—The President, Airs. H. Gilberd; Lady Betty, Miss M. Hanson; Dolly. Miss G. Wells; Maisie, Miss J. Christie; Irene, Miss M. Brinkman; Miss Goadsby. Mrs. N. Bancks; the Hon. Mrs. Rickerby, Miss (J. Ziesler; Amelia (club servant), Miss J. Strouts. A play reading arranged by Air. C. I’. Brown followed the presentation. of the play. Pa-tea Fire.

A spectacular blaze alarmed Palea residents shortly after eight o’clock las* night when the fire alarm was given. It was discovered to be a small four-roomed wooden cottage on Wilson Road, half a mile out of t-he Patca Borough. With a strong northerly wind blowing the lire soon had a strong hold and a total loss resulted. The Batea Volunteer Fire Brigade were prepared, but as it was outside the boundary and there was no water supply, they could do nothing. The cottage belonged to a Chinaman who farms a large area for market gardening. It is understood that a large sum of money, something over £lOO was lost in the fire. Insurances, were not available last night.

School Age. “If the only ix'ason they can put forward for the school age to be lowered to live years, is that the want to avoid a room at the school being vacant, 1 am going to oppose it,” said

Air. R. Dukeson, when a letter from Wanganui East School Committee was read, asking the board to use its influence to have the starting age of children revert to what it used lo be. Rev. G. b. King said tuat the intention ac the meeting had been to approach the Alinister direct, but it was thought

that the more correct course was to do it through the board. The chairman (Mr. E. F. Hemingway): There would be no objection to forwarding the letter on to the Minister without comment? Mr. Dukeson: No. The beard

Tram and Ambulance Collide. An ambulance van and a tram, became involved in a collision which occurred on the corner of Victoria Avenue and Liverpool Street shortly after half-past seven last evening. The ambulance was travelling in answer to an accident call which had been received from the corner of Wickstccd and Glasgow Streets, and had just turned into tho Avenue from Liverpool Street when the mishap oc-

curred. The driver, Mr. 11. A. Reardon, received a fractured collar bone, while his companion in the front seat, Mr. A. C. Wausborough. a volunteer from the Wanganui SI. John Ambulance Brigade, received facial cuts from the broken windscreen. Both men were admitted to hospital. The third occupant of the van, who was travelling in the saloon, was uninjured. The ambulance was not badly damaged. Attractive Wanganui Booklet. “A booklet showing why yc-u should live in Wanganui, New Zealand,” is the title of an attractive illustrated booklet which is being issued gratis by the Wanganui and District Development League. The publication, a copy of which was viewed by members of the League at last night's meeting, is profusely illustrated with a selection of scenes typical of the city and sub urbs. In addition lo these there is in formative data concerning its attrac tiuns offered by Wanganui as a residential area, together with other items of interest. The chairman, Air. D. E. Dustin, intimated last night that 4009 booklets have been allocated and will be distributed throughout New Zealand, principally to tourist and travel organisations, including hotels and tourist resorts. Air. Dustin also stated that the booklet may be repeated next year. The Town Wharf. A discussion concerning, the I’own Wharf was heard at last night’s meeting of the Wanganui and District Development League. Mr. W. J. Gilberd stated that with a view to eliminating the expenditure necessary to repair the wharf, and also with the object of further developing the port at Castlecliff, there was a suggestion that the coastal vessels at present using the Town Wharf be worked at Castlecliff instead. The chairman, Mi. D. E. Dustin, said that the matter was really one for the merchants and those people whi» wore making use of the Town Wharf. The Development League was interested, however, and should watch the position. Mr. A. E. Halligan said that matter was one for the Harbour Board. He contended that before anything was done by way of making suggestions to the authorities concerned, a definite scheme, outlining the proposals of what could be done, should be brought under their not ice.