General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 1, 2 January 1943, Page 4

General News

Fewer Bankruptcies. Fewer petitions for bankruptcy were filed in Wanganui last year, the total for 12 months being three, compared with 13 in 1941. No petitions were filed last month, compared with one only in December, 1941.

Exhibition of Art. Keen interest in the Wanganui Arts and Crafts Society's exhibition was taken during the Christmas holidays, when more than 600 persons visited the Saxjeant Gallery. American servicemen were included among the visitors.

Pipe Band Appreciated. During the New Year's Eve activities in Victoria Avenue the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band played selections at various points. Their services were appreciated by the revellers and during the night over £5 in donations was received.

Cars at Marton Races. The attendance at the first day of the Marton Jockey Club’s New Year meeting yesterday was probably a record. In addition to 3100 patrons who travelled by train, many people went by road, a count disclosing that more than 1200 cars were parked in the enclosure.

The Latest Model. A private in a military camp was wearing a long face when he accepted a knife and 1001 b. of potatoes from the mess sergeant. Said the private. “I thought the Army had potatopeeling machines?" The sergeant grinned, “It has, and you’re the latest model!"

Only Ono Arrest. Only one arrest was made by the Wanganui police on New Year's Day, the accused person being a man found drunk in a public place. An official said yesterday that, in spite of the large number of people in the city, the New Year crowds were very orderly. No cases of serious crime were reported.

Call to Grass Fire. The only call received by the Wanganui Fire Brigade during the New Year holiday period was at 4.30 p.m. on Thursday to a grass fire near the Guyton Street railway crossing. One machine was despatched from Central Station and the fire was extinguished by a first-aid pump and beaters. A Valuable Asset.

Planted somewhere about 15 years ago, as an “investment for the future," the Mangaroa forest reserve is now to make its first contribution to the funds of the Hastings Borough Council, for arrangements are now under wav for the thinning of 30 per cent, of the trees, which, it is estimated, will produce 166,000 board feet of timber.

Hand Whistle Signals. After ascertaining the existing practice in the main, centres it has been decided that the system of E.P.S. hand whistle signals used in England and other countries should be adopted throughout New Zealand, states a National Service Department circular. The signals are: Long blast, urgent call for help: short sharp blasts, incendiary bombs have fallen in neighbourhood.

Higher Customs Returns. Customs revenue for the Port of Wanganui last month totalled £28,360. an increase of £7036 when compared with the £21,324 received for the corresponding month last year. Items showing increases included customs duty. £7787, as against £6987 last year, beer dutv £603 (£592). war expenses, £10.557, compared with £4857. and misop’leneous revenue, £4802. against £4207. The only item showing a’slight decrease was sales tax, _recenits totalling £4611, as against £4681.

Golf and Tennis Balls. Nothing probably could be devised to bring home to the sporting communitv the rubber shortage more vividly than the scarcity of the means to niav their favourite games. Some Wellington houses which specialise in sporting material have been combing the province for gon and lawn tennis balls, with very little success as thev are lust as scarce in the country towns as they are in the city. Even repainted golf balls, which have already done yeoman duty, are in demand. Fewer Births Last Year. The number of births registered in Wanganui last year showed a decline of 55 when compared with 1941. Marriages also declined, but there was an increase in deaths. Vital statistics for 1942, with figures for 1941 in parentheses, are:—Marriages, 227 (262); deaths 362 ( 338); births, 616 (671). Statistics for December, 1942, show that there was a drop of 21 in the number of births and fewer _ marriages, but an increase of six in the number of deaths. Births totalled 43 during the months, deaths 24 and marriages 20. August was the best month of the year for marriages, but more deaths (totalling 43) were recorded in September than in any other month.

Girl Absentee Problem. Though the complaint of absenteeism is most marked among younger girls, who show a particular lack of sense of their responsibilities, men are not entirelv exempt from this tendency to take time off when it suited them to do so, states an article in the December issue of the New Zealand National Review. Absenteeism is said to be general throughout the North Island and the South Island. From Dunedin comes tne charge against the younger women whose employers find them not amenable to discipline and not interested in their work, periods of absenteeism having occurred when men were on leave from northern camp. Older girls are found to he much more dependable, and married women in particular are playing the game. Building Permits Decline. Building permits issued in Wanganui last year showed a decline of £123,499 when compared with 1941. The value of permits issued last year was £23,016, compared with £146,515 for the previous 12 months. Permits issued last month in Wanganui were for buildings to the value of £535, a small total when compared with £4316 during the corresponding month in 1941. The-busiest building period in Wanganui last year was in January, when permits to the value of £146.515 were issued. From then onward there was a substantial decline because of contractors and workers in the building trade, and also materials, being required for important war work. October was the next best month of the year, when permits to the value of £3582 were issued.