GENERAL NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 September 1946, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Electoral Roll Closing. The main rolls for the Parliamentary general election will close on Friday, September 13. Advice to this effect was received yesterday by the registrar of electors for Wanganui, Mr. W. Parker. The supplementary rolls will close at a later date, yet to be announced.

Existence Justified. “A Rotary Club can only justify its existence by the part it has played in the community, and I think we can safely say that we in Wanganui have justified our existence,” . declared Past President. A. Doig, at. last night’s 21st, annual dinner of the Wanganui Rotary Club.

Spring Daffodil Show. Fine weather over the past few days should help to improve the quality of the blooms which will be exhibited at the Wanganui Horticultural Society’s spring daffodil show next week. Large entries are expected, not only from growers in the city, but also from outside centres. The spring show, coming so soon after the drab days of winter, is always attractive and marks an important phase of the horticultural year in Wanganui.

How to be Successful. The secret of being a successful Rotary president was revealed by Immediate Past President Pat London, at last night’s annual dinner of the Wanganui Rotary Club. There were three means to this end. The first was to appease the past presidents by seeking their advice—then doing what one liked. The next rule was to scratch the backs of the directorate—the middle class—and finally to encourage new members, he concluded, amid laughter. Increase Refused.

An application for permission to increase the fares charged on the Road Passenger Service between Wanganui and Mangamahu was refused by the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. J. P. O. Skoglund) at a sitting in Wanganui yesterday. Mr. Skoglund said that the present fare from Wanganui to Mangamahu was 7s 6d. This worked out at 3d a mile for 30 miles, and was a fair charge. “I would not agree to any increase above 3d a mile,” he added.

Transport Licensing. Applications for renewals of goods service licences, amendments, additional vehicle authorities and extensions of areas covered came before the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. J. P. O. Skoglund) at a sitting in Wanganui yesterday. The Authority also dealt with certain applications for amendments to passenger service licences. Before the sitting concluded Mr. Skoglund intimated that he would be in Wanganui again early next month. Perfect Spring Weather. After unsettled weather, with overcast skies and excessive wind and rain, Wanganui and district are appreciating a spell of perfect spring weather. Yesterday was calm with bright sunshine and warm day temperatures, following a cold night and a sharp frost in the suburbs. There was an almost complete absence of wind, however, and scarcely a cloud in the sky. Barometric pressure, steady at SO.lOin. throughout the day, gave rise to the hope that the fine weather may continue.

Bigger—and More Expensive. “There is surely no justification for this.” commented Mr. E. W. Merewether, National Party candidate for the Wanganui seat, after quoting figures showing the expansion of the Prime Minister's department during the course of an address to the women’s section of the National Party yesterday. Mr. Merewether said that the staff of the department mentioned

was six in 1935, but was now 159. The cost for the year 1945-46 was £41,345, but for the current year the estimated expenditure was £146,729. Price of Taxi Licence. “What I don’t like is that he is paying £75 as a consideration for this licence,” said the No. 2 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr. J. P. O. Skoglund) when an application for the transfer of a taxi licence came before him at a sitting in Wanganui yesterday. After it had been stated that the man wishing to transfer the liceflce had to pay a consideration when it was originally transferred to him, Mr. Skoglund said that had the business been a going concern there would have been some goodwill attached to it. The licence had not been used for two months, however, and all it was worth to-day was £5O. The Authority agreed to lhe transfer at that figure.