Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 300, 18 December 1937, Page 8

Town Talk

Far "''st Relief. A further contribution of ss, from “L.L.” brings the total of the ‘Chronicle” Far East Relief Fund to £9 18s Grass Fire. The Wanganui Fire Brigade received a call to a grass fire at Castlecliff at °4O p.m. yesterday. The blaze was extinguished before any damage was done. Dr. Barnardo’s Helpers’ League. At the “box-opening” party held at Aramoho School last Wednesday, and presided over by Mrs. O. R. Cathro and Miss Allomes, it was announced that during the year the following collections had been made:—School box £l, members’ boxes £4 13s Bd, Christmas Tree forms £2 3s 6Jd. The headmaster, Mr. A. E. Stone, complimented the members on the good work accomplished, and Mrs. Cathro and Miss Allomes for their continued interest in Dr. Barnardo’s Homes. A Splendid Feat. Commencing her voluntary task of as < sting in the Wanganui campaign for the sal? of Health Stamps just 42 days ago, Mrs. L Eide has achieved the splendid feat of selling nerdy a quarter of a million stamps, reoresenting a sum of 1200 for the health camps fund. Mrs. Eide took up her station in the entrance lobby of the Wanganui chief pos : office, and in < dclition canvassed a number of the business premises, securing generous support. “I am delighted with the result, and must thank the public for supporting me,” said Mrs. Eide to the “Chronicle” yesterday.

The Longest Day. The longest day will occur next Wednesday, when the summer solsice will take place. The sun will then attain its greatest southern declination, being then only 13i degrees from overhead at noon, as compared with an angular distance of 80i degrees at the winter solstice. Officially next Wednesday will be the first day of summer. Although the sun next week will attain its greatest altitude above the horizon, making Wednesday the longest day of the year, it takes some time for the solar heat to raise the soil to its greatest temperature. When the soil has absorbed all the warmth it is capable of taking, the hottest days will occur, some time toward the middle of January.

Motorists and Pedestrians. “Motorists could co-operate in preventing congestion of traffic in Victoria Avenue during the preChristmas holiday rush,” remarked a Wanganui traffic inspector yesterday. He pointed out that motorists who did not require to stop for shopping purposes in the city area would be well advised to mane use of St. Hill Street or Wicksteed Street in passing through, thus avoidi. g the delays occasioned by stopping at the seven pedestrian crossings between Ingestre St. and Taupo Quay. The extra distanced covered would not be noticed. Pedestrians also would be well advised to show consideration for motorists at the pedestrians’ crossings ny refraining from loitering. “At such a busy period pedestrians should hurry over between the safety lines,” said the- inspector.

Building in New Zealand. Building contractors who furnished returns to the Census and Statistics Department during 1936-37 numbered 1512, as compared with 1454 in 1935-36, states the Abstract of Statistics for November. Persons engaged in 1936-37 (excluding sub-contractors and their employees) totalled 9721, or 16 per cent, more thn in the previous year; while the salaries and wages bill increased from £1,536,924 in 1935-36 to £2,017,824 in 1936-37, or by 31 per cent. The cost of materials used (including payments to sub-contractors) rose by almost £1,200,000, an increase of 27 per cent. Value of work done amounted to £8,133,847, or £1,850,000 more than in the previous year, representing an increase of 30 per cent. The number of buildings returned as completed in 1936-37 was 13 per cent, more than for the preceding year, and the value of buildings erected was 24 per cent, greater. The value of private dwellings completed was £3,033,614, as against £2,531,642 in 1935-36 and £1,637,564 in 1934-35. Replies to Advertisements.

Replies to advertisements awaiting collection at the “Chronicle” Avenue office include:—Llol, LlO9, Llll, Ll6O, L 135, L 134, L 122, L 123, L 124, L 129, L 33, L 127, M2, MlOO, MlO4 Mll5, Ml2O, M 123.