General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 295, 15 December 1941, Page 4

General News

Twriu- Month> Ago. Twelve months ago to-day BrilFh forces crossed tile Libyan frontier, and desert battles continued without respite. Relays of German bombers i aided northern England. Italian navy bombed in Naples harbour b\ R.A.F. Pohutukawas in Bloom. ! Although the pohutukawas have inot yet burst into the full glory of their scarlet blooms, there are a number of these trees in flower [about Wanganui. I'ricketiT Injured. i While batting for the Marton Club in the cricket match against Old Boys, , played at Marton on Saturday. C. a. ! Tidy was hit above an eye by the ball. He was compelled to retire from im ( match and stitches v.ere inserleu in the wound. Hungarians in Christchurch. i Twelve Hungarians living in Christchurch are now classed as enemy aliens as a resuil cf New Zealand's declaration of war on the Axis allies, Finland, Hungary, and Rumania. Some are naturalist .1, but all have been registered. Their cases will now be considered by the Akens Tribunal. Bi'fs Attack Motorist. A Marton motorist travelling toward Tutaenui on Saturday had a rather unenviable experience when a swarm of bees entered the car window and stung him on the hands and face. He was forced to momentarily relax his grip of the steering wheel ana the car ran off the road and into a ditch. It had to be hauled out. but apart from a twisted wheel there was little damage.

Typist’s Heavy Task. An outstanding typing task has been performed by the typist who recorded the evidence at the Commission of Inquiry into the lire at the premises of John Burns and Company. Limited, at Auckland. In the course of the 13 days’ sittings, the typist has typed approximately 85.000 words. More than 200 foolscap sheets of paper were required to record the statements by the 38 witnesses.

Applr.'t-in-Schoois Soheme. Preparations are being made b> the Internal Marketing Division and the Education Department in anticipation of the apples-in-sehool scheme possibly operating early next year. The Christchurch Technical College Board of Governors received advice from the department last niyht stating further that it was proposed to make apples available for a period of about 12 weeks, starting on February 9.

Memorial Medal. The Malcolm Beattie Memorial Medal, which al Friday nights prizegiving was presented to the head prelect of the Wanganui Collegiate School. W. B. Higgins, was established in 1917 by Mr. C. R. Beattie m memory of his son, Lieut. Malcolm Beattie, a former school prefect who was killed in the last war. It is awarded to the boj ••who has during his school life most worthily upheld the traditions of the school.’’ The medal hits beer, awarded for 24 years in succession and at the prize-giving ceremony on Friday night, was presented to the winner by Mr. Beattie himself.

Demand tor Houses.

"The telephone has been simply sizzling ever since the house was advertised,’’ said a leading Wellington land agent when referring to a particularly attractive residential property which had come on the books for sale. Evidence that the housing demand was unabated, he said, was afforded by the fat t that more than So inquiries by prospective purchasers had been received, and the property could have been sold a dozen times over. For .36 hours the owner had been receiving a constant stream of callers to look over the residence. There was a big waiting list of clients seeking houses.

\alur of Rehearsal. For the lirst time in the history of Wanganui brass bands, the three combinations taking part in the display yesterday for the Sergearit-Pilot J. A. Ward, V.C., Recognition Fund, were able to carry out a rehearsal. On previous occasions visiting bands have been included and a rehearsal

was not possible. Bands taking part yesterday in the massed display were the Band of the First Battalion. Wellington West Coast Regiment, the Wanganui Garrison Band and Queen Alexandra (2nd. W.W.C.) Mounted Rifles Band. They marched round the oval playing "Holyrood,” and the splendid performance demonstrated the value of the rehearsal.

Cricket aiul Rowing. Members of the Wanganui Collegiate School lirst eleven and lirst and second rowing fours left on Saturday lor Christchurch, where they will take part in contests with Christ’s College to-day and to-morrow. Mr. F. W. Gilligan, and two members of ’he leaching staff. Mr. H. E. B. Newton, cricket coach, and Mr. R. O. C Marks, rowing coach, accompanied the teams. The cricket team is: T. W. Smith (captain), G. H. F. Newman. R. J. Lane, J. R. Meuli, D. B. Stanford, C. O. Knight, J. B. Marsh. 1». E. L. Collins. H. B. Hadfield. J. Wake. R. T Kettle, and K. K. Donald (twelfth man). The rowing fours are: First. D. R. Stephenson (stroke). W. B. Cameron, H. L. Jones (captain'. and G. S. Bogle; second, H. E. Caplen (stroke). H. S. Logan. M. C Davies, and H F. Laity. E. Dashfield is cox for both crews.

< nstl.\ Motoring. Registration and other costs in\ol\ed in keeping a motor-car on the road are now so disproportionately high when set against the total cost of the petrol which a motorist is permitted to use that some owners have hesitated to put their cars into commission. 'l'his point was made by a woman motorist in Auckland, who said that she was inclined to dispose ot hei i ar. Registration, including third party insurance and plates cost her £3 2s, the driving licence cost ss, two fitness warrants covering a year cost another 5s and insurance approximately £5, making a total of £8 12s. Present restrictions allowed ner only 36 gallons of petrol a year, costing £4 14s 6d and enabling her to run only about 25 miles a week. The suggestion w> is made that with running so drasti-ally reduced the official charges should be cut in half.