General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 34, 10 February 1941, Page 4

General News

Watering of Gardens. The Wanganui City Council states that the decision of the council regarding the restriction of water for the use of gardens to a period of one half-hour daily has not been relaxed. The restrictions will continue until further notice.

Motor Cyclist Injured. Injuries which resulted in his removal to the Wanganui Hospital were received by Mr. Richard Fields, when a motor-cycle he was riding collidec with a motor-car yesterday on Durie Hill. He was attended to by the Free Ambulance. His condition last night was reported satisfactory.

Excellent Surf. Bathers at Castlecliff Beach during the week-end, particularly on Saturday, enjoyed excellent surf. Those able to get beyond the first beach at high tide, to a line of breakers well out from high water, found the type of surf which admirably suits surfboards. There was no wind on Saturday. Yesterday the strong northerly wind made conditions less pleasant.

Makirikiri Sports. “There is no sports meeting cn this coast holding wood-chopping and sawing events in its programme this year,” said an official of the Makirikiri Sports Committee last night, discussing the forthcoming Makirikiri patriotic sports, which are to be held next Saturday■ week. "These, events are always popular and the entries at Makirikiri this year are expected to include some of the island’s best axemen."

Girls’ Marching Rehearsal. Girls’ team in Wanganui which will compete in the Wanganui Marching Association’s championships next Saturday, had a successful rehearsal with bands on Cook’s Gardens yesterday. An interested spectator was Major R. W. Haddow, D.C.M., of Trentham, and formerly of Patea, who commented on the marked improvement shown compared with the standard set last year. Humid Weather. Week-end temperatures in Wanganui were very humid, and according to the records kept at the New Zealand Friends’ School, the maximum temperature yesterday was 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Saturday was overcast for the most part, with occasional sunshine. Heavy rain fell early Sunday morning, and the day was overcast with showers in the early afternoon. There was a strong north-westerly wind in the morning, and a moderate westerly in the afternoon. Calls to Fires. Three calls to grass fires were received by the Wanganui Central Fire Brigade on Saturday but all were extinguished without any damage. A more serious call was received at 11.47 yesterday morning to Cornfoot Street, Castlecliff,' which necessitated the services of both the Central and Castlecliff Brigades, to combat a large field of lupin which was threatening several residences. The firemen were successful in extinguishing the fire before any serious damage was done. More than 2000 feet of hose was used.

I’ohutu Geyser Plays. The Pohutu Geyser played intermittently on Wednesday for almost 10 hours, one of the longest periods of activity in recent years. Commencing at 7.30 a.m., the geyser was playing for the ninth time at dusk. The longest period was in the morning, when it spouted to a height of over 60ft for one hour and 20 minutes. The shots were higher in the morning, as the wind, which rose during the afternoon, prevented the geyser from giving its maximum display. Many visitors were attracted to the Whakarewarewa reserve. Air Force Trainees. Twelve Wanganui district trainees have been instructed to report to the Royal New Zealand Air Force Wereroa~ ground training station for preliminary training as pilots, observers, gunners and radio mechanics. Those to train as pilots are A. F. Crane, R. F. Gould, G. A. Howard, F. J. J. Tilley (Wanganui) and W. F. G. King (Taihape). To train as air gunners are H. G. Collins, G. Jones, K. T, Takarangi, G. W. Warden (Wanganui) and T. Guthrie (Kai Iwi). G. E. Tait (Wanganui) will train as an observer and E. G. Gibbs (Wanganui) as a radio mechanic. Wanganui Rant Fair. Good sheep were in demand at the ram fair conducted at the Wanganui saleyards on Saturday by Freeman R. Jackson and Company, and Southdowns sold exceptionally well. The fair attracted a good bench of buyers, including some from the Rangitikei and Waimarino districts. There were 928 rams listed, comprising 464 flock Romney, 430 flock Southdowns, six flock Ryelands. 22 stud Southdowns, and six stud Romney rams. First rams to be disposed of were the Romneys, the best of which brought 4 to 5J guineas.

Keeping the Maori Language. “The greatest problem which confronts the Maori to-day is that of his language,” said Mr. A. Gordon, honorary welfare officer for Rotorua, addressing the Rotorua Rotary Club. “While the admission is lamentable, it cannot be disputed that the original tongue, so expressive of the high dignity and deep spirituality of the oldtime Maoris, is slowly bat alarmingly being replaced by a mixture of cheap American slang and pakeha Jdaori.” It was questionable, he added, whether the introduction of the Maori language into the school curriculum would retain its use, and the spaaker was of the opinion that the matter was purely a domestic one for the home and community. Picnic Postponed. Because of the weather, the Cosmopolitan Club picnic, which was to have been held at the Marton Racecourse yesterday, was postponed. The club’s picnic is held at Marton annually, and a special train was to have left Wanganui at 9 a.m. Heavy rain was falling at six o'clock in the morning, when the Picnic Committee was required to make a decision, and as the weather was unsettled the outing was postponed. Though the sky was overcast and a strong wind was blowing, the rain ceased and many people, believing that the picnic would be held, assembled at the Wanganui, St. John’s and Aramoho stations. The picnic, however, will be held on a 'subsequent Sunday. A date is to be arranged.