MARTON NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 4, 6 January 1944, Page 2

MARTON NOTES

PRISONER OF WAR ESCAPES AN EXCITING EXPERIENCE. Mrs. F. E. Williamson, of Calico L.ne, Marton, has received the following interesting letter from her son, : Private lan - damson, 2nd Reinforcements N.Z.CC ~ who has been a prisoner of war in Italy for the past two years: "I came through the line on the night of November 4 and am quite 0.K.," writes Private lan Williamson. “As you will probably know I can't mention very much. We have been told here that we will soon be on the way home. On our journey across from Libya we ran across the Royal IVUvy and collected a torpedo. However, quite a lew of us got ashore in Greece and spent three months as prisoners. "We received new clothes and showers; hi fact anything we asked for. I got through the German lin.; with Sergeant George, of Hawera. You would have had a good laugh had you seen us after our all-night trip through bush and swamp. We started Off in quite respectable civilian clothes and looked like two beggars on arrival in our own lines. We noth had a few weeks’ beard on to complete a good disguise. Still, we were very happy even though we were dirty, hungry and tired.” RAINFALL AT UPPER TUTAENUI. The following particulars of the rainfhllat Upper Tutaenul for December are supplied bv Mr. Malcolm F. Gray, “Hazelhurst," Marton:—Rainfall on six days, the two m’ost notable falls being .45in. on December 2 and .90in. on December 3. The total tor the month, 1.99 in., is 82 points below that for November. Figures show that Idfflin. is probably at least Ilin, below the average for December. The total ainount recorded since June 1 is 28.42in.~June, 7.02; July. 5.47; August, 2.77; September, 5.70; October, 2.66; November, 2.81; December, 1.99. SUCCESSFUL DEERSTALKERS. Two young deerstalkers, Colin Black and Ken. Kerr, of Marton, had a very successful deerstalking expedition at Kawatau, Mangaweka, during the holidays. They brought down seven deer, including a fourteen pointer. GRASS FIRES. The Marlon Volunteer Fire Brigade received two calls on Tuesday alternoon to grass fires. The first, in Toia Street, whs endangering board fences but was soon quelled. The second was located at the back of the brick kiln in Ross Street and was in danger of spreading to three properties, but owing to the prompt action of the brigade the fire was soon under control. CIVIC THEATRE, MARTON "MOONTIDE" Jean Gabin is starred with Ida Lupino in his first American film, 20th Century-Fox’s production, "Moontide," which is currently at the Civic Theatre. The stirring story of life along the Pacific waterfront has been adapted from the best-selling novel of Willard Robertson. As the romantic dock worker, Gabin scores a hit which presages a brilliant future on the American screen for the former great French actor. With Miss Lupino, Gabin has made what has already been termed the outstanding film of the season. Gabin is supported by Thomas Mitchell and Claude Rains. VITAL STATISTICS. The vital statistics for Marton for the month of December, 1943, are as follow, the figures in parentheses being for 1942: —Births (9), 9; marriages (6), 2; deaths (2), nil.