TO VISIT WANGANUI NEXT MONTH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 6

TO VISIT WANGANUI NEXT MONTH

MR. I. 11. ( LARIDGE, Al ( KLAM). Mr. J. H. Claridge, J.P., of Auckland, w ho has written a book relating experiences during 75 years in New Zealand, is to visit Wanganui next month. He was born in Wanganui 80 years ago and remembers the official opening of the town bridge, an occasion when strong forces ot ihe Alexandra Cavalry ana British militia were on parade. “Two boys, and I was one of them, went on to the bridge and opened the turntable without authority," Mr. Claridge says. The toll lessee, Mr. G. Ross, as can be imagined, was most angry and threatened to get Constable Coakley to lock us up, so we straightened the bridge and escaped to the other side.” Mr. Claridge’s refepeiiee to the bridge turntable recalls that in those old aays the sedate town bridge of the city could be opened in the middle span and shipping allowed to pass along the river to higher reaches than the town wharf. Mr. Claridge was on the “Chronicle” staff in 1878, when the office was located in PJdgway Street. As a member of the Glen Eden Bowling Club, he is hoping to play a game or two on Wanganui greens when he comes south for a holiday. Mr. Claridge’s parents arrived in Wanganui in 1856, coming from London by the ship Olive Lang, to Wellington. That vessel was destroyed by fire later in Wellington. He does not think many people in Wanganui will remember him. as he left when 14 years of age for Gisborne. Two he can recall who are now dead are Mr. E. N. Liffiton (land agent) and Mr. Jas. Robinson (carrier*.