General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 127, 30 May 1944, Page 4

General News

Twelve Months Ago. Twelve months agb to-day Flying Fortresses bombed aerodrome and docks at Naples, without loss. General d e Gaulle arrived by air at Algiers and announced that a squadron of French warships at Alexandria had joined the Allies. “Just On Nine.” "Any children?” asked the chairman of the Wellington Metropolitan Licensing Authority of an applicant for a tax licence. "Just on nine,’’ was the reply 7, which convulsed all those present. Good Marksmanship. The first "possible” of the season for the Westmere Miniature Rifle Club was scored on Friday night by R. J. Harrison, last, season's club champion, who has struck form early. The first inter-club shoot of the season will be against. Castlecliff on Wednesday, June 7. Piper Welcomed Home. Members of the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band last night entertained Piper Allan Futcher, who has returned from active service overseas and has rejoined the band. He was welcomed back, on behalf of fellow members by Pipe-Major E. C. Morgan and was accorded musical honours. Wanganui R.S.A. In view of the large number of nominations received tor office at the annual meeting of the Wanganui R.S.A.. to be held tonight, a .large attendance is expected. After thre e years of office as president, Mr R. G. Taiboys is not seeking re-election. Two nominations have been received for the vacancy, three for the position of v-ice-president, and 14 for the committee. Headlights on Cars. “I don't like that system of lighting," said Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., referring in the Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, yesterday, to headlight restrictions previously enforced. Under this system cars were required to have one headlight dipped and the other reduced. "It is very difficult to pick up a pedestrian or a cyclist on the poorly lit side of the vehicle," the magistrate added. Phmket Society at Aramoho. Tribute 1o the co-operation and help given by the committee of the Aramoho sub-branch of the Plunket Society was paid by the president, Mrs. C. J. Burr, at the annual meeting. The excellent results obtained, .said Mrs. Burr, were mainly as a result of the enthusiasm of the committee. Officers were unanimously re-elected as folloxvs:—President, Mrs. C. J. Burr; vice-presidents, Mesdames Aiderton and Madder; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. Aiderton.

Figures Don’t Lie—Sometimes. "You bel-ieve these figures from the Abstract of Statistics?” asked the Judge of the Court of Arbitration, Mr. Justice Tyndall, of an employees’ advocate xvho was quoting figures relating to the industry during the hearing of a dispute in Wellington. "I do,” answered the advocate. "You ask us to accept the Abstract of Statistics as correct?”—"l do.” "You believe the Abstract of Statistics in the statement that the cost of living has not gone up one iota since 1942?” The advocate made no reply. Premature Question. "May we pay the fine at the rate of Jos a week?” asked one of three men charged before Mr. J. H. Salmon, SM., in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, yesterday, with being found on licensed premises after hours. This point was raised before the case had been dealt with, and was in reply to the magistrate, xvho asked if defendant’s had anything to say. "What that gentleman said applies to me also,” said another of the defendants. "Of course," he added, “I don’t know what the fine will be yet.” Citizenship and Rotary. "The highest, peak of citizenship is to offer one's self for gratuitous service •in a city,” said Mr. W. J.'Gilbert, president. speaking at the Wanganui Rotary Club yesterday. He said the third object of Rotary was community service, and the club supported all matters affecting the welfare of Wanganui. He congratulated members of the Rotary Club xvho had been elected at the municipal elections, and said that those who had been unsuccessful had shown a fine public spirit in offering their services. Holmdale Resumes. After being on the Patent Slip, Evans Bay, for her annual overhaul and survey, the coastal motor-ship Holmdale has resumed in the Wanga-nui-Dunedin service and was to have left. Wellington for southern ports yesterday. She has been off the run lor about three weeks, and during that period her sister-ship, the Port Waikato, has made two trips to Wanganui. The Port Waikato, incidentally, arrived at Castlecliff on Sunday morning from Dunedin and way ports, hut was unable to work cargo yesterday because of the rain. The Holmdale loads at Dunedin and Oamaru this week and is due at Wanganui again about June 6. Scrutiny Begun. The official scrutiny of votes cast in the elections in Wanganui for a Mayor and City Council, and city members of the Hospital and Harbour Boards, and also the Wanganui-Rangitikei Power Board, started yesterday under the supervision of the returning officer, Mr. C. R. White. The first work is a scrutiny of rolls used in the 16 booths, and a call has to be made of the name of each elector xvho voted. The name is then recorded on a new roll. The score sheets are also scrutinised and a careful examination is made of informal votes. When all this xvork is completed the returning officer makes a declaration. The Mayor is installed in office on first Wednesday following this declaration. Tram Service Delayed. Two mobs of sheep which xvere driven over the Dublin Street bridge between 12.50 and 1.20 p.m. yesterday, dislocated the Wanganui East tram service, held up about 100 motor vehicles, and a similar number of cyclists. Tne first mob was put on the bridge about 12.50, and after proceeding some distance refused io budge, with a result that the inwardbound tram was held up for about 13 minutes. The bridge became jammed xvith motor traffic. When this mob was almost over to the Wanganui East side, the other mob was put on. Trouble was again experienced and the outgoing tram was delayed. This resulted in one complete trip being lost to thp tramways. There is no bylaw prohibiting th*e driving of stock over this bridge at busy periods of the day. ______