Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 288, 6 December 1938, Page 6

Town Talk

Tin Hat Club. Ladies’ night will be celebrated by the Wanganui Tin Hat Club in the Victoria Hall to-night. For diggers only, the function will include an attractive programme and special supper. “A Young Man’s Travels” Rotarian Hope Gibbons was the speaker at yesterday's luncheon of the Wanganui Rotary Club when he continued his address on incidents of his recent world tour. Rotarian Gibbons is to continue his address at a later meeting of the club. "Dad” to Address Rotarians Mr. Bert Bailey, who plays the role of ‘'Dad” in the Australian film version of Steel Rudd’s famous books and who was the original “Dad” in "On Our Selection,” will be the speaker at next week’s luncheon of the Wanganui Rotary Club. Body Not Recovered. The body of Maurice Parkes, aged 21 years, of Awahuri, who was drowned in the sea at Tangimoana on Sunday when an 18-foot keel boat capsized, had not been located yesterdayafternoon. A search along the shore was made by a party of police officers from Palmerston North. Mail for Chathams. The last mail to the Chaham Islands before Christmas will leave this week. The steamer Tees, which is due at Lyttelton to-day from Pitt Islanu, will sail from there again to-morrow for Waitangi, Owenga, and Kaingaroa. She will return to Lyttelton ana lay up over Christmas and the New Year. Road Safety Procession To enable employees to see the Road Safety Week procession, the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Rogers) is inviting Wanganui business firms to close for half an hour to-morrow. The six Government floats from Wellington to form the nucleus of the procession will be met at the Town Bridge at 12.30 p.m., and the parade will continue until 1.15 p.m. Christmas Christmas Air Mail The two final air mail dispatches for Great Britain before Christmas close in Wanganui this week. The first closes at 7.30 a.m. to-day, connecting with the Awatea. which sails from Wellington, and the second at 8 p.m. to-morrow, which connects with the Westralia, which sails from Auckland. The first reaches London on December 19, and the second on December 22. French Farmers "Seventy-five per cent, of the people in France are farmers compared with about 25 per cent, on the land in England,” said Rotarian Hope Gibbons during an address to yesterday’s luncheon of the Wanganui Rotary Club. Rotarian Gibbons added that the land was well tilled and farmed, the roads were splendid and the people appeared to be enjoying a good standard of living. During his visit to France he had not seen or heard of anyone being short of food.

Sale of Health Stamps That the sale of health stamps in Wanganui had reached approximately 1380 of the £5OO aimed at for the Wanganui district was reported by the secretary of the trustees of the Wanganui Health Camp, Rotarian A. R. Donaldson, at yesterday’s luncheon of the Wanganui Rotary Club. Rotarian Donaldson said that if the objective was reached the Wanganui Health Camp would receive £250 in addition to a proportionate share of the profits of the art union.

Yachting Thrills. Saturday’s good wind provided members of the Wanganui Saling Club with plenty of thrills as they manoeuvred their small craft in the weekly races. The wind provided the sailing boats with a good turn of speed and tested the ability of the young seamen in handling their craft. Some of the boats heeled over to such an alarming degree that to the passer-by it looked as if they must turn over. Expert seamanship, however, tells and the sailors made use of every stitch of canvas to secure the greatest speed from their boats.

Chinese in the East Indies. "Most of the domestic trade in the Dutch East Indies is in the hands of the Chinese," stated Dr. W. F. Gisolf, who is at present visiting New Zealand on furlough, in an interview with a Daily Times representative. "There is a number of native traders, but they are in a small way, and their dealings are only with the native population." The Chinese were treated on terms of equality, he said, but intermarriage between the races was rather exceptional. In response to a question, Dr. Gosilf said that the Japanese were not numerous in the Dutch colonies, and their influence was not great.

A Sixty-eight Day's Fast. The claim that he has not eaten any food for 68 days is made by Mr. F. W. Popham, of Upper Symonds Street, Auckland. On September 24, Mr. Popham, who suffers from recurring attacks of quinsy, rheumatic fever, and high blood pressure, decided on a 100-day fast as a means of improving his health. He was then 16st. Itrilb. in wiight, and his disabilities made it difficult for him to walk. During the fast he drank only water and an occasional cup of tea. As his weight dropped, Mr. Popham stated that his health and strength improved. On Wednesday last, the sixty-eighth day of his fast, his weight was 12st. Silo., and he was confident that he would be able to complete the 100 days, whicn will expire on New Year’s Day.

Important 1939 Days Calendars for the coming year arcnow being distributed by firms, and as usual they include information or general interest as well as the usuat details of the days, weeks and months. Easter next year will be in April, Good Friday falling on April 7. Anzae Day. April 25, will be on a Tuesday. King’s Day, the holiday set aside to mark the birthday of the Sovereign, although it is not the actual date of his birthday, has been permanentlyfixed for the first Monday in June by Act of Parliament, and next year It will be on June 5. Labour Day, the fourth Monday in October, will be on October 23. Christmas Day will be on a Monday next year, so that it will be a long week-end for the festive season, especially for those whose places of business close all d»v on Saturday.