MARTON & DISTRICT NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 8 November 1946, Page 3

MARTON & DISTRICT NEWS

“CHRONICLE” OFFICE: JOCKEY CLUB ROOMS, BROADWAY. AGENT and MANAGER ARTHUR WAY. CORRESPONDENT RUSSELL PARKINSON. Telephones: Office 2301 (Marton). Private, 2314. Correspondent: 2866.

RESIDENTIAL SECTIONS FEW SUITABLE IN MARTON SAYS R.S.A.

A report on the availability of suitable building sites jn Marton for reside!* tial purposes submitted by Messrs.

J. Tiffin and A. G. Harris, came before the quarerly meeting ’»! the Marten R ,S.A. on Wednesday night Followiig a shert discussion cn the subject the report was referred to the executive committee for consideration and action.

Although to the casual visitor it appeared that many sections outside the brick area were available, stated the report, closer investigation revealed that the great numoer of vacant sections were either below the level of the present sewerage system, were not for sale, or were situated in parts oi the borough not served by any municipal sewerage system and were too far from the business centre of Marton to be considered desiraole. The claim that recent Government purchases had recently lessened the number of desirable sections available, was substantiated by land agents. Although the Borough Council had decided to extend the sewerage some 12 chains along Mill Street, there was at present no evidence to show that this would alleviate the position. There was some information to the effect that owners were considering sub-div.sion of properties to the soutn of, and adjacent to Mill Street, but nothing definite was available, in any case, added the report, such subdivision would only make available sections situated a considerable distance from the business centre. “Furthermore,” continued the report, “it is doubtful whether it is wise to take any action which might facilitate the erection of buildings in sucn positions as to cause the railway to pass through the centre of any area, as in all cases where this has been allowed in the past, the c.ties concerned are now faced with the cost Gi. extensive works to deviate the railway. ’

The report considered it advisable that furtner sections be made available and that such sections would best serve the needs of the returned servicemen if they were situated within a reasonable d.stance of the business cei tre of the borough. To meet the requirements, the subcommittee recommended that the necessary action be taken with a view to the tollowing:— i a Having the Govj.iin cut acquire for resale as ireenold building sections to returned servicemen, that portion oi ground on the east side of the iufaenui Stream and that sufficient oi the proposed road.ng system be developed to serve the area. (b): Having a portion, say 50 per cent, of the sections in Upper Beaven Street and situated between Lyon and Ross Streets recently purchased for the erection of Government houses, resold to returned servicemen.

The report pointed out that as the above mentioned property situated al the eastern end ol Hammond Street extension was at present farm lands ana as no start had yet been made in tne erection of buildings in Beaven Stieet, no hardship could result from execution of the proposals. The report mentioned that the borough had lecently purenasea the section at the end of fiamiEGiiO Street, tl us facilitating the proposed sub-division. In supplementing his report, Mr. Tippin said he had not mentioned greund which required extensive drainage either by the borough or individual. PERSONAL. Mr. 11. B. Burdekin, Mayor of Levin, and Wellington district vice-president of the New Zealand R.S.A. was a v. si tor to Marton on Wednesday. He was the guest speaker at the quarterly met ting of the Marton R.S.A. that night and as this was his first visit to the town ht was extended a cordicU welcome on behalf of the Marton borough by Ct. J. Caithness and Mr. C. C. McDonald (town clerk). Rev. C. E. F.scher, Lutheran Minister in Chr’S'd Lrch, has been the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Arndt, Hunia Street, Mai ton. WOMEN’S SECTION OF R.S.A. TO RE FORMED. The executive committee of the Marton R.S.A. was given authority to proceed with the formation of a women's section of the R.S.A. under Dornin.on rules of headquarters, at the quarterly meeting of the Marton branch on Wednesday night. The president, Mr. G. B. Gregory, who moved the notice of motion, said that a large number of districts possessed women's sections. They had done good work and he felt sure that such a branch would prove successful in Marton. “It is certainly a move in the right direction.’’ remarked Mr C. C. McDonald in sec >nd : rg the motion. The women had given great assistance in the past and th' formation of a women’s section would give them official status. OVERSEAS VARIETY STARS TO VISIT MARTON. Spots of depression, if any can be found in “Watch Your Step” overseas variety show now playing to capacity audiences at His Majesty’s Theatre, Auckland, are submerged in the uoom of talent headed by Joe Lawman, comedian and Royston, the triple voiced ventriloquist. Royston ventriloquial act is on its own for style and cleverness. Marton theatregoers will shortly have the opportunity of seeing this brilliant variety company at the Civic Theatre, on Thursday, November 14 Box plan opens at Mogridge’s Store on Monday, November 11. REHABILITATION OI I K E OPEN TWO DAYS A MEEK. It was announced by the president of the Marton R.S.A.. Mr. G. B. Gregory, at the quarterly meeting on Wednesday night, that the Rehabilitation Office would not be open in Marton on Mondays in the future. The ollice, however, would remain open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as usual. Mr. Gregory explained that as rehabilitat.on business in Marton on a Monday was very slack the officer in charge had asked that his services b»made available to the Wanganui ollice on this day, as that branch was seriously understaffed. The local committee, said Mr. Gregory, had approved of the suggestion. Mr. Gregory stressed, however, that this new arrangement was only an experiment and if it proved unsatisfactory, the committee would reconsider the proposition.

MEMBERSHIP OF R.S.A. The membership of the Marton R.S.A. at present stood at 521, reported secretary, Mr. K. J. Combe, at the quarterly meeting of the branch on Wednesday night. Of this total there were 336 members in Marton, 122 in Hunterville and 63 in Rata. In Marton, 20/ were members of the Second World War. The figures in Hunterville and Rata were 71 and 43 respectively. It was explained by the president, Mr. G. B. Gregory, that these figures were the act la! financial members Probably the number c-f returned men in the district was in the vicinity of 700. YF.C. DEBATING CONTEST Information has been received in Marton that the final of the New Zealand Young Farmers' Club debating contest will probably be staged in Palmerston North on Saturday, December 14. The Marton club, by virtue of its win over the Waikato team in the final of the North Island championship, will meet the South Island winners, Christ’s College (Christchurch). The subject has not yet been decided. IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSAL NATIONAL SERVICE URGED

“I regard to-day the defence of this country over the next decade as a most important matter. It is not a question of party politics, but a question of guarding and holding what we have gained by the recent war,” declared Mr. H. B. Burdekin. Dominion vice-president of the R.S.A., when speaking at the quarterly meeting of the Marton branch on Wednesday night.

The war had been costly to the country and there was an obligation to see that what had happened twice did not occur again, said Mr. Burdekin, and the only way to see that it did not happen was to be prepared. He expressed a hope that the R.S.A. would give a lead to the rest of New Zealand, to call on whatever Government was returned to power to ensure that such a scheme of defence was entered into, that New Zealand could take its place with the rest of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Part of that scheme was that New Zealand should implement a policy of universal national service, and he urged the Marton branch to consider the question seriously and support and reaffirm remits passed at the iast Dominion conference.

Whichever party was returned at the election would no doubt realise that necessity, and would welcome a lead from the R.S.A. He was not suggesting that war was imminent, but if the British Commonwealth of Nations and America decided to be strong enough and ready enough, no nation would dare disturb the peace of the world, said Mr. Burdekin. What was wanted was a basic force which could be expanded at short notice.

“I don’t want to raise a scare, but no body of men has a better right to speak on such a matter than members of the R.S.A., all of whom have fought for their country, ’ added Mr. Burdekin. A resolution on the lines which Mr. Burdekin had suggested was proposed by Mr. G. H. Denbow and seconded by Mr. J. Caithness and carried unanimously. TO-MORROW’S CRICKET The Rangitikei Cricket Association will make its third attempt to open the season to-morrow. The two previous occasions have been frustrated by inclement weather, but prospects yesterday appeared fairly bright, and only a day of heavy rain will influence the association to postpone tomorrow’s engagements. The fixtures are: Marton v. Old Boys, at Marton, at 11 a.m.; Marton Junction v. M.D.H.S., at Marton, at 1 p.m.; Bulls v. Porewa, at Bulls, at 1 p.m. Teams to hand are:— Marton: J. Openshaw, H. Parkes, W. B. Tidy, R. Price, W. Sanders, J. Shield, K. Joblin, R. Darrow, P. J. Corballis. N. Northover, D. B. Sladden, B. Gracie. MARTON GOLF CLUB The final round of the Shannon Cup competition which was postponed from last month will be p’ayed to-morrow. The draw for partners will take place at the clubhouse at 1.15 p.m. Any I match in the third round of the junior I handicap not played by this week-end will be defaulted. REMEMBRANCE DAY Remembrance Day is being observed in Marton on Sunday, and the Marton Returned Services Association is holding a special church parade at the I morning service at St. Stephen’s j Church. Members are to fall in at 110.30 a.m. I At the quarterly meeting of the Marton R.S.A. on Wednesday night I the president, Mr. G. B. Gregory, appealed to members to attend this parlade. He said that the Mayor, Mr. F. Purnell, and councillors would also he attending. Dress was mufti and ribbons. ROTARIANS MEET AT MARTON The Marton Rotary Club held a “forum" in the Parish Hall on Wednesday night, there being Rotarians present from Taihape, Feilding, Wanganui and Palmerston North. Rotarian Ken Fowler (Marton) presided. The main item on the agenda paper was the discussion of decentralisation as it affects New Zealand. An interesting evening concluded with the serving of supper. USED CARS AND MACHINERY SALE | Attention is drawn to the advertisement in this issue concerning used cars and machinery for saie on behalf of Mr. J. Moore, Marton Junction Garage. COMING EVENTS. To-night (Friday): Finally showing at Civic Theatre, “Destiny” and the associate feature. “Here Comes the Sun. Mr. Denzil Capslick, Labour candidate for Rangitikei, tu speak a: Parewanui. Saturday. November 9: Auction sale at Mr. F. Jeeves, Crofton Road. I Marton, at 1 p.m. Mr. E. B. Gordon, j National Parly candidate for RangiI likei, to speak at Great ford School at ! 2.30 p.m., Ohingaili at 8 p.m. Child- , ren’s plain and fancy dress dance in ■ Victory Hall, Marton, followed b\ adults' dance. j Sunday, November 10: Clay bi rd ■ shoot at Mr. K. McK. Duncan’s, Clift : Road, Marton, commencing at 10.30 ■ a.m. Special church parade service for members of R.S.A. at St. Stephen’s Church. Tuesday. November 12: Christmas Fair under the auspices of the Marton Methodist Church, in Druids’ Hall. Marton Railway Cricket Club grand i fancy dress dance in Railway Hall Mr. E. B. Gordan, National Party candidate for Rangitikei, to speak at < Hunterville.