Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 54, 6 March 1939, Page 6

Town Talk

New Cricket Pavilion. Work has begun on the new pavilion in Cook’s Gardens which is to replace the old building recently dismantled. The foundation has been laid and several of the uprights iiave been erected. Hosing Cook’s Gardens. The grass oval at Cook’s Gardens, which is showing the effects of the long spell of dry weather, will be completely rejuvenated this week as it will reap the benefit of the tons of water used in the New Zealand United Fire Brigades' demonstration.

Cook’s Gardens Lighting. The new lights on Cook’s Gardens, mounted on four high steel towers, will shed 50,000 candle power of light on the oval. It is hoped to have the new lights ready for to-morrow night’s big display by the combined fire brigades, athletic club, and Highland Pipe Band.

Car-testing Plant. The framework of the 120-foot long shed, which will house the Wanganui City Council’s new car-testing plant in Ridgway Street, is now nearing completion. The modern car-testing equipment is expected to arrive from America in two weeks’ time, and it is hoped to have the new plant operating early next month. Forgot the Wickets. « An amusing diversion was created in the cricket match between Wanganui and South Taranaki on Victoria Park yesterday when, after losing the toss, the visiting team took the field to find the wickets were missing. It was discovered that the custodian of Iho stumps had forgotten £o bring them. Military Units Resume. The Wanganui units of the Wel-lington-West Coast Regiment will resume regular parades this evening. There will be a full parade for the Rifle Company and an n.c.o.’s parade for machine-gunners. It is expected that the drill will show a considerable improvement as a result of the training at the Waiouru Camp.

Old Firemen. Conspicuous among the firemen who paraded for church yesterday morning and marched behind Wanganui bands, were many old-timers, whose service ran into 50 and 60 years. Captain George Spriggens, of the old Wanganui Volunteer Brigade, was there, his uniform as spic and span as it was in the old days. Large Attendance at Swimming. There was an attendance estimated at 1500 at the big swimming carnival at the Gonville Baths, on Saturday night, organised by the Fordell Swimming Club. There were 10 New Zealand champion swimmers present, and

I he success of the carnival was largely due to the energies of Mr. W. Gordon, formerly secretary of the Fordell Club. Wanganui Garrison Band. Several complimentary references were made yesterday to the playing of the Wanganui Garrison Band, at Castlecliff, which made its first public appearance since the contest al Christchurch. The band played for the surf teams’ march past. It also appeared at the concert in the Opera House last night, and again delighted its audience. Flying at Karioi. Three of the Wanganui Aero Club's aeroplanes were flown to the Ruapehu Aero Club’s landing ground at Karioi on Saturday. Mr. H. L. Tancred, pilot-instructor, flow the Miles Hawk with Mr. H. Mullins as passenger, Mr. K. Congreve flew in the Tiger Moth ZK-AGA with Mr. L. Bell as passenger and the Tiger Moth ZK-AGZ was flown by Mr. D. M. Lethbridge with Mr. R. Fletcher as passenger. Heavy Motor Traffic. The motor traffic to and from Castlecliff yesterday was very heavy. The new parking spaces for cars were greatly appreciated, the vantage points being made use of as a sort of natural grandstand. Members of the Wanganui City Council's traffic staff were on duty and were courteous and efficient in handling the extra rush. The inspectors were on duty in the morning, too, regulating traffic in Victoria. Avenue during the parade of firemen. The “Iron Cross.” One of the highlights at the “Diggers’” bowling tournament, at Wanganui on Saturday, came when one of the players was twitted by his mates with playing with German bowls. He stoutly denied the country of origin, but found it hard to explain away a design almost identical with that of an Iron Cross, which in varying degrees, bronze, silver, and gold, was awarded for gallantry in the field to German soldiers who fought du eng the Great War. Speedy Regatta. One of the features of the Napier rowing regatta on the Ngaruroro River at Clive on Saturday was the rapidity with which the programme was carried out. There were no delays during the regatta and the programme was run through 30 minutes ahead of schedule. Last year the regatta was run well ahead of time and this year the officials controlling the fixture made every endeavour to avoid any delays. The cutting down of the time between races was appreciated by the spectators, who were treated to a good afternoon’s racing. Parikino Sports. Full arrangements are being made to make the Parikino sports, next Saturday, the best the committee has organised. The horse events, which have always been popular at this meeting, will be increased this year and the other attractions which proved so popular in other years will be improved upon. “We are looking forward to fine weather,” said the president (Mr. J. Lissette) yesterday. “So far we have had a wonderful response from the public in the way of support.”