General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 229, 29 September 1941, Page 4

General News

Twelve Months Ago. Twelve months ago to-day R.A.F. oombed Berlin power stations. Of seven raiders destroyed over Britain, four fell to anti-aircraft guns which nut up increased night barrage. Dry Summer Predicted. Predicting a dry summer up-river, Maoris finished planting potatoes at the beginning ol this month. Tennis Opening Postponed. The official opening of the Gonville Tennis Club, set down lor Saturday last, was postponed until next Saturday, because of the inclement weather. Fine Achievement. To win the euchre championship of the Cosmopolitan Club at the age of 88 was tiie fine achievement last week, ot Mr. Charles Kruse. There were 72 competitors. One ot the foundation members, Mr. Kruse is the oldest life-member of the club to-day. Overseas Christmas Mails. Christmas mails for Great Britain and the Middle East should be posted early to ensure delivery before Christmas, advises the Chief Post Office. It is advisable that all types of mail, letters, parcels, and newspapers should be posted as early as possible. Enemy of Fish. Evidence that the black shag is a deadly enemy of fish was provided this week when a New Plymouth sportsman shot ope and on opening it up found inside a trout which weighed 211b5., was 154 inches long and S inches round the girth. Basketball Visitors. Two visiting basketball teams played matches in Wanganui on Saturday afternoon, and both were defeated. The Wellington team was beaten by Wanganui by 19 goals to 16, and the Furlor (Wellington) team went under to the Wanganui B team, who won by 25 goals to 4. Shining Cuckoos “The cuckoos are back.” declared an Okoia resident on Friday. The shining cuckoo, which migrates before the winter to countries northward ot New Zealand, returns in the spring, and the day of return is regarded by students of nature as the first genuine tip from the feathered world to man that spring is in the air. Drop in Temperature. A distinct drop in temperature, as compared with Saturday, made itself felt in Wanganui yesterday. At 9 a.m. on Saturday the maximum temperature registered at the municipal meteorological station, Cook's Gardens, was 65.8 deg., but yesterday morning the temperature had dropped to 55deg., 10 degrees lower.

Chopped Down. Reputed to be nearly 100 years old, a walnut tree growing on the River Road, near Jerusalem, was recently chopped down. An up-river settler remarked on Saturday that the tree had been a landmark for years. He commented on the fact that more appreciation should be shown for natural beauty, particularly that which has historical associations. Old-timer's Opinion. “It is one of the oldest Kaierau traditions to play the game hard," said Mr. J. Hogan, at the annual smoke concert of the Kaierau Rugby Football Club on Saturday night. “It would be a great thing if (he club could get Mr. R. McLean to give them a talk on Rugby football. Kaierau was strong to-day, but they had no combination. Possession,” he said,

“was nine parts of the law, but in Rugby it was fifteen. There was too much individual play in Rugby to-day, and this gets them nowhere."

Marching Event in Afternoon When notice that the winners of last year's marching competition, the Grenadiers, Wahganui intended to compete again was received at a meeting of the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association at Hawera on Friday, the secretary, Mr. R. McCay, commented that in view of the lighting restrictions the marching events at the forthcoming show would be conducted in the afternoon instead of at night. He intimated that good support for the competition was expected. Appreciation From Middle East In a letter to Mr. W. R. McElwain, of the Wanganui Rugby Referees' Association, Corporal H. L. Barnett, now in the Middle East, expressed appreciation of his health being toasted at the recent referees’ annual “smoko,” and said he was thrilled to the boots when he learned he had drawn a quarter of Jamb in a competition. “Some of the local chaps wish to he remembered to you. including G. Lockett, G. Berryman. K. Welsh. D. Barton, M. Shewan, M. Darby, B. Dow, and A. G. Davidson," he wrote.

Rowing Officers. The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Club on Sturday—Patron. Mr. T. H. James; president, Mr. P. Evans; vice-presidents, Messrs. T. Atchison, J. H. Clav, F. W. Gilligan, H. R. Jones, T. T. Bell, R. J. McDonald; club captain, Mr. V. Clapham; deputy captain, Mr. C. Evans; honorary secretary, Mr. L. Clapham; treasurer, Mr. W. J. Larkin; auditor, Mr. L. H. Holland; official starter, Mr. B. Stroud; judge, Mr. R. J. McDonald; selector, Mr. P. Evans; committee, Messrs. T. Atchison, A. Kitchen, “. Stroud, A. R. Byres, T. McCarthy; delegates to Wanganui Rowing Association, Messrs. C. Evans and W. J. Larkin.

A Splendid Parade "It speaks well of the esprit de corps of this company that 120 out of a total strength of 128 should bo on parade this morning,” said Captain D. W. Curham, M.C., Area Officer at Wanganui, speaking to the 11th. (Wanganui) Company of the National Military Reserve, at the Afforestation Camp, Kaitoke. at breakfast yesterday. “It is a year ago, almost about this very day. that you were doing squad drill and rifle exercises, counting out the time,” he added. “You will remember that you were told then that your training would be progressive and you are having proof of that now. I think the most satisfactory feature of this morning’s stunt has been your numbers on parade. The eight who are not here all have genuine excuses. It, speaks highly of you” company and your officers must be greatly pleased.”