Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 268, 14 November 1935, Page 6

Town Talk

No Thanks in Court Replying to a vote of thanks accorded him at his meeting at St- John’s Hill last night, Mr N. R. Bain, National candidate for Wanganui, remarked: “I am used to addressing the Court. There we do not get thanked for what we say.” Axemen’s Events. “This is one of the largest entry lists I have seen for axemen’s competitions at these shows,” remarked a visitor yesterday when discussing the handicap list for the three events to be decided to-day. He stated t/hat the number of new axemen whose names appeared in the list indicated that interest in these events was being maintained.

, Prize Money Donated. The winner of the £lO first prize in the hill-country woolgruwers ; comi petition for long-wool ewe hoggets at the Wanganui Agricultural and Pas- ; toral Association’s show yesterday, ' Mr. A. McPherson, of Turakina Val- ’ ley, has donated his prize money to ' the association. The money will be used for the prize fund of next year’s competition.

Theft of Money Alleged Pleading not guilty to a charge of stealing £lOO, the property of Sophia Elizabeth Fowler, at Wanganui, on November 6, Joseph Henry Tingey, labourer, aged 48 years, was committed to the Supreme Court at Wanganui for trial when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning. Accused was granted bail of £lOO and two sureties of £5O each.

Deputation to Prime Minister A deputation comprising 20 rangitiras of the Taranaki Maori tribes waited on the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) at Foster’s Hotel yesterday morning in connection with recent legislation promoted in connection with native lands in the Taranaki province. Mr Tonga Awihikau, of Normanby, was the spokesman, and, with a flow of oratory which sounded pleasant to the European ear, interpreted the words of the deputation to the Minister. Mr Forbes replied, and said that the representations made would have his careful attention. Mr N. R. Bain was present with the deputation.

Tributes to Wanganui Show Tributes to the general lay-out of the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s “Show of Shows,” which opened at the racecourse yesterday, were paid by Mr M. S. Myers, general manager of the D.1.C., Ltd., Wellington, who visited the showgrounds during a brief stay in the city yesterday. Mr Myers said he was particularly pleased with the displays by local houses in the home industries building. He also paid a tribute to the civic pride which was shown by the co-operation of so many traders and expressed the opinion that the businessmen of larger centres could ’copy, with profit to themselves, the example set by Wanganui.

Long Distance Exhibitors It speaks a great deal for any agricultural show which attracts exhibitors and competitors from far beyond its own boundaries. There are two prominent Wairarapa breeders of Romney sheep whose pens won considerable honours in that section which was judged yesterday at the Wanganui Agricultural Association’s annual show. They are Mr William Rayner, “The Cliffs,” Masterton, and Mr George E. Allen, “T'ipua,” East Taratahi, Carterton. The former has been a consistent exhibitor at Wanganui showS, and the latter, after a period of 17 years, has again brought the quality of his stock before breeders and farmers in this and surrounding districts. Incidentally, the judges of the section are also well-known Wairarapa breeders of the Romney strain, Mr R. W. Matthews and his son Mr J. R- Matthews, “Waiorongomai,” Featherston. The Waiorongomai stud, founded in 1875, has founded many of the principal flocks iu New Zealand. A Study in Expressions Dogs of every size, shape and breed are entered for the Wanganui Kennel Club’s annual fixture, which is being held in conjunction with the A. and P. Show ■ now in progress on the racecourse. A. tour through that portion of the show set aside for Kennel Club ent lies reveals much of interest and a study in. canine expressions. A few breeds arc absent, but not many. ‘The Alsatian, in all his stately dignity, is represented, as also is the inquisitive little Pekingese. Irish terriers, frisky and nervy, strain at their chains and endeavour to outrival each other with incessant barking. Fox terriers, cheeky and lively, howl at. the indignity of being placed in small apartments and securely chained. Scottish terriers stand in pathetic boredom and survey the world of moving people in silence. But perhaps the coolest of them all are the cocker spaniels and the Irish setters. In spite of the din; in spite of dozens of canine throats raised in barks and howls, the spaniels and the setters lie unconcerned, some of them sound asleep. From Steam to Diesel For the first time since she was converted from a. steamer to a motor-ship, the Anchor Company’s 258-ton t.s.m.v. Nikau arrived at Wanganui yesterday. Many mon-hs have elapsed sin*ce this well-known little coaster last steamed up the river and during that period she has undergone extensive structural alterations, in addition to which she has been fitted with twin screws and Diesel engines. At one time the Nikau carried passengers on the coast, but

when she was converted from steam to Dieso] her passenger accommodation was removed and her cargo space increased. The vessel’s after-hatch has been considerably enlarged and the Nikau is now engaged solely in the company’s targo service. She is also fitted with noiseless, electric winches and is one of the few coastal traders coming to Wanganui thus equipped. Her engines are of a modern type and since being installed about five months ago have been functioning perfectly. When at sea the Nikau, especially when deeply laden, presents a squat appearance, her high, closed-in bridge, short funnel and tall masts making her resemble a small destroyer. She is a sturdy little ship and a valuable adjunct to the company’s fleet. The vessel arrived at the town wharf shortly after noon yesterday with about 100 tons of cement from Tarakohe and was to have sailed last night for Nelson. Captain O’Donnell is in •command.