General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 292, 11 December 1941, Page 4

General News

Twelve Months Ago. Twelve months ago to-day British Armoured forces captured Sidi Barrani. The Greek advance in Albania became slower, because of snow and stouter Italian resistance. Raiders over England bombed West Midlands towns, causing heavy damage. -More Evacuations.

Fourteen sold.et patients were evacuated from hospital in Wanganui yesterday on convalescent leave. There are 30 left on the sick parade.

Lodges' Annual Picnic The Wanganui United Friendly Societies’ annual picnic at Aramoho Park on New Year’s Day will be discussed at a meeting of representatives of the lodges to-night.

School C hildren Visit Museum. Fifty children from the Gonvilte School visited the Wanganui Museum yesterday, special attention being paid to the Maori artifacts sections. A demonstration of carding, spinning, and knitting wool from fleece was given by Mrs. F. Spurdie.

Fleet Air Ann ‘'Dividends.” A senior naval ollicer has described Fleet Air Arm successes as "a magnificent dividend." Since the war began it has sunk or damaged 40 enemy warships and 440.000 tons of shipping, and has shot down 200 enemy aircraft.

Accession Da.i. To-day, December 11, is Accession Day, marking the fifth anniversary of the date on which King George Vi ascended the Throne. He became King on December 11, 1936, after the abdication of King Edward VIII, and was crowned in the following May. No Hair Ooiiilm.

Hair combs are unprocurable anywhere in New Zealand, according to Wanganui hairdressers, who report that they have be<’n scarce for more than a month. Before the war Czechoslovakia was the chief source of supply, although some came from Great Britain. Stolon Bicycles.

Theft or unlawful conversion of bicycles in Wanganui seems to be a growing offence. At least two bicycles a day have been reported missing during the present year. Many are recovered but a considerable number are not, possibly one in six. A number of bicycles recently recovered are awaiting owners at the Wanganui Central Police Station.

Six O'clock StMirts. The last six o'clock sports meeting of the lirsl series of competitions run by the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club will be held on Cook's Gardens to-night. The first meeting of the second series (the last before Christmas) will be held the following Thursday. Because of the expected entry into camp of Territorials no definite arrangements have been made about the club's activities in the New Year. School Cricket.

Tile annual match between lite first elevens of the Wanganui Collegiate School and Wellington College will be played on the Collegiate School ground to-day and to-morrow. Play will begin at 10.15 this morning. The luncheon adjournment w ill be from 12.15 to 1.15 p.m. Stumps will be drawn at 6 p.m. Because the Wellington team will have to leave at midday to-morrow, play to-morrow morning will begin at 9.15 and will be continued for a couple of nours.

National Savings Quota Discussing the progress of the National Savings campaign yesterday, the district organiser, Mr. J. Gillick, stated that lor the current week Wanganui was £6OO short of its weekly quota of £1450, Aramoho required £6O and Castlecliff £5O. If these quotas can be achieved by Saturday the National Savings flag may be flown throughout the holidays. Last week Hunterville's quota was reached a few minutes before noon on Saturday, said Mr. Gillick.

Drilling For Oil. Because of the insuperable drilling difficulties encountered, it has been decided to discontinue drilling for oil at Morere in the Gisborne district. The withdrawal of the 6Sin. casing is now in progress. After this operation is completed it is planned before abandoning the well to perforate 98in. casing in order 'to test certain sands which were encountered during drilling operations at depths from 3221 ft. to 3466 ft. The Midhirst bore has reached a depth of 9750 ft. There is no change in the formation. Health Camp tn Reopen.

According to the secretary of the Wanganui Health Camp Board, Mr. A. R. Donaldson, speaking at the Wanganui Rotary Club's community gathering last evening, arrangements have been made to reopen the Wanganui Health Camp for two periods of six weeks early in the New Year. It was hoped to extend the scheme to embrace all parts of the Wanganui Hospital Board's district, with subcommittees in all country centres having direct representation on the board. Splendid Response.

An appeal for baby garments for Queen Charlotte Hospital, London, resulted in a splendid collection of garments being brought by members of the Wanganui branch of the Dlunket Society to the meeting on Tuesday tn conjunction with other branches of the Plunket Society, Wanganui members agreed a short time ago to make and collect baby garments for the hospital, which has suffered through lair raids and is in urgent need of I assistance. The response to the appeal was most encouraging, it was stated at tne meeting, and the garments will be despatched overseas when opportunity offers.

"Hidden Sentence” (oiiipetitinn. The Wanganui Retailers' Association received fourteen entries for the “hidden sentence” competition conducted during shopping week. The entries closed on Tuesday night and the first prize, an order for goods to Hie value of £2 2s was won by Mrs. H. Hooker, Wicksteed Place. Miss Peggy Thompson, Wicksteed Place, was second, receiving an order for goods to the value of £1 Is. Mrs. B. Carr, Godwdn Crescent, w’as third, and also received an order for goods to the value of £1 Is. A fourth competitor also got the correct sentence: "It was easy shopping in shopping week," hut the prize-winners were the three whose entries were opened first.