GENERAL NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 September 1948, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Parcels Reach Britain. According to advice received by the chief postmaster at Wanganui, Mr. R. L. Horn, the Shaw, Savill motor-ship Waiwera, arrived in Britain on Sep-tember-2, with 8722 food parcels, weighing 98,6111 b., from New Zealand. The shipment included postings during the period July 20 to July 27 over the southern half of the North Island, also Gisborne and Nelson districts.

Westerly Weather. The weather in Wanganui yesterday was cloudy and rather unsettled in the morning, with a moderate westerly wind, but there was an improvement in the afternoon, when the sky cleared to a great extent. Intermittent sunshine followed, and at Castlecliff a moderate swell was running. At 4 p.m. the barometer was steady at 30.25 m., a comparatively high reading. Temperatures were mild.

Aero Club Flying. The Wanganui Aero Club’s four aircraft flew a total of 121 _ hours lOmin. in August compared with 61 hours in July, the club’s instructor (Mr. G. A. Delves) reported to last night’s meeting of the committee. Of the month's flying, 96 hours was solo flying. Two pupils made their first solo flights and five members were successful in securing their A licences. The instructor reported that the attendances at the week-ends had ’ m ‘ proved as a result of the improved weather. Battle of Britain.

Today is the anniversary of the most important event in the Battle of Britain, when fighter squadrons of the Royal Air Force shot down 185 German aircraft engaged in bombing raids on London. Battle of Britain week is being observed throughout the British Empire this week, and on Sunday special commemoration services will be held In Wanganui a service will be held at St. Peter's Anglican Church, Gonville, by the Rev. V. C. Venimore, a padre on the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War 11.

Shortage of Houses. “The position regarding workmen is rather desperate,” reported the engineer (Mr. W. S. Gardiner) at yesterday’s meeting of the Waitotara County Council. “Quite good types of men are constantly applying for work but in most cases housing is the problem. I have a good man for overseer available and had a house available. This house is in such a terrible state of repair and so lacking in conveniences that the man will not accept the position as it stance. This is upsetting our programme of works and my own work is suffering.”

Three Fire Calls Three fire calls, one of them a justified false alarm, were received by the Wanganui Fire Brigade yesterday. The first was at 2.11 a.m. to an incipient outbreak in Taupo Quay, no damage resuming. The justified false alarm was at 1.44 p.m. to Bassett’s timber yards in Wilson Street. As the result of an accident some wires were broken and the automatic alarm system sit off. Two machines responded from Central Station. The third call was at 3.20 p.m. to a vacant section in Victoria Avenue, near the Gas Office, where a heap or sawdust was burning. A lead of hose was used. Sugar Cargo Arrives. Bringing sugar and general cargo from Onehunga, via New Plymouth, the Northern Company’s auxiliary motor vessel Hauturu arrived at Castlecliff yesterday morning. It is the vessel’s first visit to Wanganui for some weeks and after disSnarge today she sails for Picton. The Port of Wanganui, however, is comparatively quiet this week. Apart frem the collier Rata, due about Friday, no other vessels are expected till next week. The Holmdale discharged southern cargo on Monday and sailed that night for Wellington and Dunedin, where she loads return cargo at the end of the week for Wanganui. Further Collicc Expected.

Further coal from West Coast mines is due at Wanganui toward the end of this week by the collier Rata, scheduled to load at Greymouth today. Circumstances permitting, the vessel will arrive at Castlecliff about Friday with 800 tons. This will be the second shipment of coal to come to Wanganui within a few days, but more is required in order to build up stocks after the present shortage. The s.s. Holmlea arrived at Castlecliff last week-end with 600 tons of Greymouth coal and completed discharge yesterday. She was to have sailed last night for Tarakohe, where she loads for Wellington, Aramoho Boating Club Members of the Aramoho BoatingClub will celebrate the 50th. anniversary of the club next year. To mark the occasion the club will hold a reunion dinner and other social activities on the week-end of the Wanganui regatta. This was agreed to at the annual meeting of the club on Monday. By holding the reunion at the same time as the Wanganui regatta the club hopes to have a larger representation of former members. who will be in Wanganui that week-end. Club members are attempting to compile a list of former members, and this, together with a history of the club, will be included in a commemorative jubilee book. Aid For Back Country. That the council had received o warm welcome from the Minister of Works (Mr. Semple) when a deputation waited on him in Wellington last week seeking help in opening up back country roads in the Tckomaru Riding blocked by flood damage, was reported by the chairman (Mr. W. McKee) at yesterday’s meeting of tne Waitotara County Council. The deputation comprised Mi’. McKee, Cr. Palmer, the clerk (Mr. D. B. Broadhead) and the engineer (Mr. W. I. Gardiner). Mi’. McKee said that the Minister had given the deputation an attentive hearing and had been impressed with the case prepared by the clerk and engineer, whom he complimented on their work.