Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 13, 16 January 1936, Page 6

Town Talk

Coral Off Wanganui. A fishing party which has been in the habit of seeking sport JO to 15 miles off shore from Castleclifr, report the discovery of pieces of coral, leading to a thought that a coral reef may exist not .far front that locality. Just following the dfrisronas holidays a fair-sized lump of coral was brought up on the end of a line xvhich was let doxsm several fathoms. Harvest of Firewood. With a strong fresh running in the Wanganui River yesterday, large quantities of driftwood were being borne downstream and out to sea. Many residents near the river and at Castlecliff, however, spent a profitable afternoon collecting as much, of the harvest as possible, with the result that a large number of families already have sufficient wood to last them through the winter months. Many methods of securing the wood were employed, the most popular being by means of small boats. Poor Camping Weather. A party of campers who passed through Wanganui yesterday by motor after a holiday trip to the north stated that they had had the misfortune to strike a considerable amount of wet weather and this had taken a considerable amount of the glamour off their holiday. At Rotorua they had struck a downpour of rains and their tents were almost flooded out, while conditions were most unfavourable for camping out-of-doors during the last three days. However, they had enjoyed themselves and had made the most of the fine days which they had experienced. Effective Street Lighting Several motorists have indicated their approval of the electric discharge lamps xvhich have" recently been installed in Victoria Avenue, Wanganui. These lamps have been specially designed to cope with the dangers arising from dazzle and show a light closely approaching that of daylight. Mr IL E. Taylor, general manager for New Zealand, of the British General Electiic Comipany, tested the lighting out on Tuesday and ’complimented the Power Board on its installation. Similar lighting has been installed at Wellington, Christchureh, and Whan-garei. Control of Sports Meeting. A feature of the Wanganui Amateur Atnlctie and Cycling Club’s electric light sports meeting at Cook’s Gardens last, night wa.s the prompt manner in which the events were dispatched. The first event was started as the chimes were announcing eight o’clock and the last event was started a few minutes after 9.30 p.m. The programme included 20 events and each event wan started immediately on the finish of the previous race. The only delay of the evening was at the conclusion of i the programme, when a special conso- ; lation cycle race was staged and it was ' necessary to wait for several minutes i while a competitor fitted a new wheel. To-clay’s Wool Sale. For several weeks wool stores in Wanganui have been extremely busy making ready for to-day’s sale, the first of the current season ro far as this centre is concerned. Owing to the Opera House being engaged by a travelling theatrical company it has been .found necessary to transfer the sale from there to the Drill Hall, An offering of 30,000 bales is to be submitted’ tn a full bench of buyers, commencing at 9 a.m. The sale is expected to close late in the afternoon, and, according to reports, the price range set in other centres is likely to be maintained, perhaps bettered. The buyers leave again at nine o’clock tonight. Donations to Shelter. The manager of the relief workers’ shelter, Mr. H. Lawrence, acknowledges the following donations:—“ln as Much,’’ fruits and peel; J. and J., vinegar and sauce; Warnocks,. Christmas cake; Mr. AL, cigarettes, biscuits and £1 Is; Minister of Internal Affairs, £5O; W.R., £1; J 5. V. Association, £2 2s; .E. Baker, meat; Farmers 7 Meat Company, meat. (). Wilson, 10s; J. Calver, meat; RtnT.es, refreshments; Mr. McKenzie, pork; JMr. Notman, cabbages; Anonpeas and cabbages; Levin and Co., sweets; Mr. Inkpen, loan glasses; Messrs. J. Hoar and P. James, loan cutlery and crockery; Dustins Ltd., date loaves; Mrs. Crawford, jam; Mr. Bevan, cu-ff-ee buns; Anon, biscuits and flowers; Anon, decorations; City Meat Company, meat; Anon, vegetables; Anon, peas; Tremaine, eggs. The Men’s Shelter. G 1 have to report that during the! month of December the numbers have remained high, which xvas to be expected owing to the holidays,” states the manager of the relief workers’ shelter. Mr. H. Lawrence, in his monthly report. “The inmates were given a special dinner oji (December 22 which was an entire success, some 50 people being present. During the month I received donations from several sources coupled xvith good wishes for our work. It han been noticeable that each time we have been in receipt of any substantial donation, adverse correspondence has appeared in the. Press. .It has happened again. As the books jf the shelter are at all times open to public inspection and those who wish to do so have the right to appear before the committee, I decided to continue my former attitude of silent contempt. ’ ’ Control of Bidi Bidi. Dr. David MiHer, assistant director of the Caxvthron Institute, who has returned from southern Chila with a supply of Chilean saw-fly insects, has been coping xvith arrears of work at the institute since his arrival there during this week. He intends to come to Wanganui at an early date and inspect the localities best suited for liberation of the insects, in furtherance of a campaign to curtail the growth of bidi-bidi. Dr. Miller intends liberating the insects as nearly as possible in that country owned by the Wanganui farmers " who subscribed funds to permit him to make the trip to Chile, but his task will be to see that the most suitable country is chosencountry as nearly as possible akin to that the saw-fly is accustomed to in its native haunts. The aim of the institute which Dr. Miller represents is to establish the fly in New Zealand arid so provide supplies for future use. Choice of locality for liberation of the first colonies, therefore, will be of paramount importance. The doctor, it is reported, has been besieged with enquiries from farmers anxious to liberate the fly on their properties, but such requests will not be entertained until he is thoroughly satisfied with I the nature of the localities n.nd their suitability as breeding areas.