General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 38, 16 February 1943, Page 4

General News

Fall of Singapore. It war 12 months ago yesterday since Singapore, one of the most strongly fortified naval bases in the world, fell into Japanese hands. Time Not Disputed. “How do you know that was the time?” asked the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. N. R. Bain, when a witness in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday, said he arrived home at ten minutes to three in the morning. Witness: “My wife drew my attention to it.”

Rotary Club Luncheon Presided over by Mr. B. R. Dobbs, the Wanganui Rotary Club luncheon was held in the Savage Club Hall yesterday. Visitors included Mr. P. Tingey (Wellington) and Mr. W. Power (Hastings). An address on “The History of Mirrors” was delivered by Mr. J. D. Morgan. City Rates.

With three days to go £105,734 has been collected in rates by the Wanganui City Council, compared with £107,589 on the corresponding day last year, according to the city treasurer, Mr. R. Best. In levies £133,800 has been collected. Last year 94.2 per cent, of the total rates were collected before the penalty date. Arts and Crafts.

A good attendance was recorded at the Sarjeant Gallery on Sunday afternoon to listen to a talk on art given by Mr. A. C. Barnes, a member of the teaching staff of the Wanganui Intermediate School. The annual exhibition of the Wanganui Arts and Crafts Society is now in its final week at the Gallery. Anti-tank Gun. Anti-tank gunfire wefc included in the demonstration arranged by the N.Z. Tactical School at Castlecliff yesterday afternoon. All battalion weapons were brought into use. Student officers of the Tactical School were in attendance, as also were the cadet officers and n.c.o.’s of the Wanganui Collegiate School and the Wanganui Technical College. Girl Injured. Lacerations to the right leg were suffered by Dawn Bell, a pupil of the Aramoho School, when she, fell from a fence yesterday. After receiving medical attention she was taken to the Wanganui Public Hospital by the St. John Free Ambulance. Her condition last night was reported to be satisfactory. Exemption From Jury Five men called for service on the common jury sought exemption when the quarterly session of the Supreme Court, Wanganui, opened yesterday. In each case exemption was granted by Mr. Justice Smith. In some cases persons seeking exemption were engaged in one-man businesses. One was a real estate agent and another an auctioneer handling perishable fruit.

High Bids at Auction Sales Recently at a house auction sale in Wanganui a wringer, which originally cost £2 10s, was the medium of spirited bidding and was finally knocked down at a price over £6. At another house sale last week a saucepan with three “mendits” in the bottom brought 11s, and a second-hand lawnmower (which seemed to be in demand by everyone present) was sold at a price exceeding £B.

New Register Men and women with special qualifications in science,. engineering, or similar technical training and qualifications are required by a recent order, signed by the Hon. A. McLagan, Minister of Industrial Manpower, to complete a questionnaire similar to that previously demanded of those liaable to register for work of national importance. Forms are obtainable at the Wanganui Manpower Office, and all concerned have to complete and forward them to the district manpower officer, Wanganui, by February 18. Painting to be Restored. When in Christchurch recently, Mr. H. Newrick, custodian of the Sarjeant Gallery, Wanganui, inspected the painting by Mr. H. G. Ell, which was damaged when intruders broke into the Sign of the Takahe. He said it was worthy of preservation and that he would restore it without charge in appreciation of the hospitality he had received. Mr. Newrick’s offer has been accepted by the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr. E. H. Andrews. The painting is expected to arrive in Wanganui in about three weeks. Ewe Fairs at Raetihi.

A total of approximately 42,000 ewes will have been submitted at fairs at Raetihi within 10 days when sales are concluded next Thursday and Saturday. On Thursday last 26,000 ewes were sold. Next Thursday some 5000 ewes will be offered, and on Saturday next a further 11,000 will be submitted. Because of the heavy demands for railway wagons, ewe fairs have been “staggered” so that the maximum number of trucks will be available for the transport of the ewes. Last Thursday more than 200 trucks were required and next Saturday upwards of 100 will be needed.