General News

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 202, 24 August 1944, Page 4

General News

Twelve Months Ago. Twelve months ago to-day 50,000 German troops entered Copenhagen, where a large building was destroyed by sabotage. The Quebec Conference, between Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt, ended after making decisions to provide for forward actions by the Navy, Army and Air Forces.

Good Catches of Whitebait. Good catches of whitebait are reported in the South Island, especially in the Buller and Orowaiti Rivers. Despite the bait being plentiful, the price still remains as high as 5s a pint. No runs have been reported in the Wanganui district to date, but a few whitebait have been caught in twos and threes in some creeks. Rail Fare Concessions.

One. result of the school-leaving age has been an extension of the half rail fare concession for children. An amendment to this effect has been gazetted, so that now children under four years of age travel free, and those between four and 15 travel at half rates. The rate concession is extended to cover sleeping berths and suburban bearer tickets. No Recommendation. “The committee has no recommendation to make,” said Cr. T. N. Dickson, chairman of the Wanganui City Council’s Picture Purchasing Committee when referring at a recent meeting to the exhibition of war paintings at present in Wanganui. The committee reported that it had inspected these paintings with a view to making a purchase. The report was adopted by the council. Sub-branch Formed.

It was reported at the monthly meeting of the executive of the Wanganui Provincial District of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday, that the Waverley branch of the union had formed a sub-branch at Ngamatapouri. Mr. C. Smith (Brunswick), reporting the matter, said it spelt progress and enterprise on the part of the Waverley branch, which was congratulated. Collier Loses No Time.

Having discharged a welcome cargo of coal at Castlecliff, the Anchor Company's coastal steamer Rata departed at 12.30 p.m. yesterday on her return to Greymouth. The arrival of the Rata brought relief to the Municipal Gas Works, where stocks were exhausted, and no time was lost in discharging the collier. She is expected to arrive at Greymouth early this afternoon, and after taking on board another full load of coal is to sail to-night for New Plymouth. Land Sales Court.

With a Judge of the Supreme Court presiding, the Land Sales Court held its first sitting an Wanganui yesterday. The function of this Court is to hear appeals in all parts of New Zealand against the decisions of Land Sales Committees, before which all transfers of property must go for approval. The Court is presided over by Mr. Justice Finlay, other members being Messrs. W. Stewart, W. E. Scott. On Tuesday the Land Sales Court was in Napier, and after the Wanganui sitting it returned to Wellington. .

Schools’ Rugby Tourney. The primary schools’ quadrangular Rugby tournament, which has been in progress in Wanganui since Tuesday, will conclude on Spriggens Park this afternoon, when the final series of matches will be played. The early game to-day will be between Manawatu and Rangitikei, and the second match will be contested between Wanganui and Taranaki. After the games the teams will be entertained at Dustin’s rooms. The visitors leave the city on Friday. Maori Missions.

- Next Sunday, August 27, being Presbyterian Maori Mission Sunday throughout New Zealand, the Rev. W. R. Fraser, Presbyterian Maori chaplain and missioner to natives of the Wanganui Presbytery, will preacn in St. Andrew's and St. David’s Presbyterian Churches, Palmerston North, on Maori missions, and will sing an appropriate solo in his mother tongue. While in Palmerston North he will visit the sick of all churches, both Maoris and Europeans, in the public hospital. He has also been invited by the members of the Palmerston North Citizens’ Club to speak cn Maori topics at the weekly luncheon. Wanganui Quota Reduced. The gift parcel quota from the Wanganui area has been reduced by 345 parcels, equivalent to 21.2 per cent.. 1625 to 1280 being the figures for the purpose of comparison between the last and present requirements, according to advice received by the secretary of the WanganuiWaitoara District Patriotic Controlling Committee, Mr. C. R. White. The closing date for the receipt of gift parcels for members of the forces overseas has been fixed for Friday, September 2S, and it was ascertained yesterday that 406 parcels are in hand. Contents for the parcels may be purchased at the office of the committee, and cash donations, at the rate of 7s 6d a parcel, may also be made.

Harbour Dredging. With an improvement in the weather and a moderation of heavy seas that were running at Castlecliff early in the week, the Wanganui Harbour Board’s suction-hopper dredge Kaione, has resumed operations at Castlecliff. Yesterday the vessel was engaged in clearing out the berthages and dumping the spoil at sea, but, because of a swell on the bar she was unable to continue the task of removing a patch of shoaling which has developed at the entrance. This work will be resumed when the swell moderates sufficiently. No difficulty has been experienced by vessels working the port during the past few days. One ship, drawing nearly 14 feet of water, came in at high tide and after swinging nearly opposite the Te Anau moved up to her berth without being inconvenienced.

“Spoonful of Coal.” "We had only a spoonful of coal in the works,” said the chairman of the Gas Committee, Cr. G. E. Bennett. referring at a meeting of the Wanganui City Council to one of those periods when coal stocks were so low, due to the non-arrival of supplies, as to create a problem for the city’s gas industry. On two occasions during the past few weeks trouble had been experienced, and Cr. Bennett asked that urgent representations be made to the Government for a continuity of coal supplies. "Colliers are held up getting here,- and as a result, we are on the rocks,” he added. “We must have more liberal supplies with more regularity.” The Mayor. Hon. W. J. Rogers, said that when the Rata was delayed early in the week he sent an urgent appeal to the General Manager of Railways Mr. A Sawers, but the department had no Strongman coal available. Cr. Bennett's suggestion was adopted.