Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 247, 18 October 1937, Page 6

Town Talk

Brilliant Sunshine Yesterday’s fine weather attracted most people out-of-doors and Castlecliff Beach, Virginia Lake and like places were accorded good patronage. The water is still at a low temperature, however, and the number of people who took a “dip” in the sea was limited.

Interest in Big ’Plane The Union Airways’ ’plane, as n. passed over Wanganui yesterday, was the object of admiration by many. The machine was flying lower than usual, and with metal fuselage gleaming in the bright sunlight, made a striking picture. The majority of Wanganui residents have not yet had an opportunity of viewing these machines at close range and the roar of their motors as they pass overhead invariably attracts attention.

Miniature Motor-cars During the past few days in Wanganui, several miniature motor-cars on the streets have attracted considerable attention. They are oneseater machines, apparently powered by two-stroke single-cylinder engines and are capable of quite a good turn of speed. Standing little more than two feet in height they are used for racing in other centres, but this Is the first occasion that they have been seen in this city.

“Man Bites Dog” Patrons ot a. Wanganui theatre on Saturday night appreciated an incident of entirely unrehearsed nature. On the screen there flashed the caption, “Man Bites Dog” and simultaneously a small dog which by some means had found ingress to the building, set np a frightened yelping. When the audience realised that the disturbance was of a local nature considerable laughter followed. The dog was summarily ejected. Cricketers in the Making. Peat Park made a picturesque sight on Saturday when a number of teams of the Wanganui Boys’ Cricket Association played their opening matches. The tuff is in splendid condition and provided a good contrast to the attire of the players. When viewed from the hill over a foreground of flowering cherries, the entire scene was pleasing. The progress the Boys’ Cricket Association has made since its inception has been rapid, and the movement is receiving support from a large number of Wanganui residents.

Maori Welfare A meeting of the recently-formed Maori Welfare League was held in Wanganui recently. It was decided to deal with the land question, as it was considered that this was of vital importance to the future welfare of the Maori race. After the matter had been discussed it was thought to be so far-reaching and important that it was necessary to elect a committee to make a careful survey of Native Lands Acts and amendments. A report, of the finding of the committee will be submitted to a special meeting of the executive at a future date.

Nesting Birds At the present time the nesting season is in full swing and one young lady has good cause to remember it for some time to come. She was awakened at an early hour by sounds of scratching and thumping on the wall near the head of her bed. Alarmed, she sought a male member of the household, anticipating that, some marauder was to be found outsider Investigation revealed no ono. and it was at last discovered that a fledgling had fallen from a nest in the ceiling between the walls and was causing the disturbance. It was necessary to remove a board from the wall to remove the bird.

Strenuous Race The Bulls-to-Marton road race for harriers was held on Saturday, when members of the Marton and Wanganui Clubs competed. This event is considered to be one of the most strenuous events on the harrier calendar for the district, and is a good test of stamina. On Saturday the conditions prevailing made the race harder, the heat from the asphalt of the roads causing the competitors’ feet to blister and swell. This event marks the last trip away of the season for members of the Wanganui Club who have done a good deal of travelling this year. Local runners, since the commencement of the season have competed at Marton, Palmerston North, Masterton, Napier, and Dannevirke at various times, ana have covered a total d’stance of more than 1000 miles in the course of their journeys.

Returned Soldiers’ Golf. Over 150 competitors attended the returned soldiers’ golf tournament promoted on the Awatapu links, Palmerston North, yesterday, some 20 hailing from Wanganui. A band played appropriate airs to give the day its proper atmosphere, and ’plar.es circled overhead to drop messages of goodwill, particularly to the “P. 8.1. Genial Bert Jacobs was at the microphone and his comment on the play and players was illuminating. Several golfers were thus enabled to see themselves as others saw them. The trophy for the champion was a neat replica of the Menin Gate, with an accompanying silver tin hat, which becomes the winner’s own property. W. J. Forsyth (N.Z.F.A.), Dannevirke, with a gross 77, won the day. A. E. Ekstedt (N.Z.F.A.), Palmerston North, was runner-up with an 80. It was a well run and very enjoyable tournament. Historic Organ The old organ, which was brought out to New Zealand over 100 years ago and after being used by an early missionary was placed in the Wanganui Museum, has aroused considerable interest among historical and musical societies in the Dominion. The work of Mr Raynor White in restoring the organ to a playable condition has been responsible in a good measure for the interest that is being taken in the instrument, and recently the musician gave a party from the Wellington Historical Society a short recital on the organ. The instrument is operated by rollers on eacL of which there are recorded ten hymn tunes, a foot pedal being used to force the air through the pip«s. A number of enquiries have been received from various parts of the Dominion asking for details of the organ and its history, much discussion having been aroused by the statement that it was the first musical instrument of any importance brought to New Zealand in the early days.