General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 121, 23 May 1944, Page 4

General News

Road Cycling. Members of the Wanganui Road Cycling Club held a .race on Saturday afternoon, when s-ix riders started. The event was won by H. Hodson. T. Philpot was runner up, and F. Clinton was third. Philpot secured fastest time. R.S A. Badge. The coloured date attachment for affixing to R.S.A. badges is referred to in the annual report of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association, which states that, the idea is an excellent one. Members should note that these are only obtainable on payment of subscriptions regularly. Hospital Visiting. “The hospital has been visited regularly and the wants of returned servicemen attended to,” states the annual report of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association. The report notes with regret that the number of old servicemen entering hospital appears to be on the increase. Every effort is being made to add to their comfort while recovering their health and strength. Use For Defence Blocks. Between 500 and 600 concrete blocks up to 15 tons in weight are to be tipped over the cliff at the edge of Kawaroa Park, New Plymouth, beyond the band rotunda for protection works. These will be obtained from anti-tank defences that are being dismantled in the New Plymouth borough. They vary from the triangle shape to those that contain a cubic yard of material and weigh 12 tons. Later they will be dragged to the toe of the cliff and used to protect it against further erosion. New Jury Panel. With the present quarterly session of the Supreme Court, Wanganui, in its second week, a new jury panel was drawn for yesterday, when a start was made with the balance of the business set down. The panel consisted of 38 jurors, and of these only two sought exemption. Both applications were granted by Mr. Justice Smith, one man, at ihs own request, being given exemption for only two days. Jurors not empanelled for a criminal case which began yesterday morning were relieved from further attendance till 10 a.m. to-day.

Season of Form Filling. With a further quarterly instalment of the social and national security levy payable, as well as returns of income and a declaration of income other than salary or wages due by June 1, the taxpayer is now at the peak of the form-filling season. Forms for income tax and the annual declaration under the Social Security Act are now available. There is little alteration in income tax requirements. New forms covering the past financial year have been printed, and a supply of old forms overprinted “1944” is also still being used. Free of Pillage.

Little or no pillage takes place between New Zealand and the point of discharge of supplies sent to New Zealand sick and wounded in Italy and Egypt by the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society, says a report from the Red Cross Commissioner of the council in the Middle East, Major W. G. Tweedy. The commissioner stated that, although s>ick and wounded were located in both countries, th P arrangements enabled all patients to receive the usual care and attention from the visitors.

Election Day Staff. A staff of 176 will be required for the local body elections in Wanganui on Saturday, so far as the municipal poll is concerned, in addition to those required for the Wanganui County Council and the Waitotara County Council. The returning officer, Mr. C. R. White, will have under his charge 119 deputy returning officers, with 28 poll clerks and assistants. In order to enable the results of the voting to be made available with the utmost despatch after the close of the poll, an additional staff of 28 will be required. Supreme Court. The last of four criminal trials set down for the present quarterly session of the Supreme Court, Wanganui, which opened before Mr. Justice Smith on May 22, was concluded yesterday, when a Hamilton accountant was charged with publishing a subversive statement. Accused was acquitted. A start will be made to-day with a civil action, also to be heard before a jury, in which H. and E. Lyon are claiming £1675 in damages against the Public Trustee. The case is likely to last two days. Divorce and civil business' brought by originating summons have also to be dealt with before the session concludes. Raetihi R.S.A. Club

The main subject for discussion at the annual meeting of the Waimarino branch of the R.S.A. was the advisability of building a clubhouse, writes the Raetihi correspondent of the “Chronicle.” Building at the present time, it was stated, could not be considered because of the high costs involved. The secretary, Mr. J. Aird, maintained that if anything was to be done to provide a clubhouse for soldiers the present was an opportune time for raising the essential funds. After considerable discussion it was decided to commence the collection of funds immediately so that the money would be ready when plans for the new building were completed.

Coastal Shipping. Two coastal vessels are scheduled to load wool at Castlecliff early this week. They are the steamer Holmlea, which arrived on Sunday night with coal from Wellington, and the motorship Holmglen, expected from Port Waikato to-day. The Holmlea brought a full load of coal from West Coast mines and is expected to complete discharge to-day, when she will begin loading wool. The vessel is scheduled to sail for Woffington to-morrow. The Holmglen will also go to Wellington. Also due this week are the Hauturu and the Port Waikato. The former will bring sugar and general cargo from Onehunga, via New Plymouth, and the Port Waikato is expected with general cargo from Dunedin, Oamaru and Wellington. Both vessels are due at Wanganui about Friday.