GENERAL NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1949, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Extension of Site Th e Wanganui Technical College took over Fry and Treloar’s area at the beginning of February. The house, a bare shell and unfit for occupation, is being used as a caretaker’s workshop and store. The workshop will be used as a temporary gymnasium and will provide badly needed overhead cover for physical education classes during inclement weather.

Freak Kitten at Marton A half-bred Persian cat has 'given birth in Marton, to a freak kitten. It was born with six pads on the two front feet and five pads on the back feet. The sixth pad on the front feet is slightly smaller than the remaining five, and protrudes like the thumb of the human hand. The kitten, with its six extra “toes” is able to move around just like othe r cats, but walks with a peculiar gait.

R.S.A. Membership A financial membership of 2109 was reported at this week’s meeting of the executive of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association when it was stated that the unfinancial members had been reduced to 210 Out of 726 old members only 26 were unfinancial and out of 1617 members from World War 11. 208 were unfinancial. The position was considered satisfactory in view of the fact that a number of those listed as unfinancial had left the district. Preferred to See Parents.

“These matters are usually tried by affidavit, but it is my view, and it might be that of other judges, that it is better to see the two parents,” said Mr. Justice Gresson during the hearing of a custody application in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday. His Honour added that he did not wish to see the four-year-old child which was the subject of the application. He did not think that the child could help, particularly if seen in the unusual atqiosphere of the Judge’s room. The case was one where the father applied for the custody of a child after a decree absolute had been granted, the application being opposed by his former wife.

Supreme Court Sessions. The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court, Wanganui, which opened before Mr. Justice Gresson last Monday will be concluded tomorrow, when His Honour will deal with undefended petitions for divorce. The sessions have been shortened because certain matters set down for hearing did not come on. On Monday criminal trials were disposed of and on the following day prisoners were sentenced. Yesterday His Honour heard an application for custody of a child and dealt with miscellaneous business. An application for further provision out of an estate is included in the matters which will come before the Court today. Maori Students

“The awards of Maori University scholarships to two of last year’s pupils, Peneamine Whitiwhiti and Georg e H. Hipango, is very gratifying, especially in view of the efforts made by the school to encourage both Maori boys and girls to make fuller use of its facilities,” stated the prncipal of the Wanganui Technical College (Mr J. Dash) in his report to the monthly meeting of the Board of Managers. “The number of Maori ■ pupils has been increasing steadily and many show a willingness to remain for a longer period than was usual some years ago. It is a great pity that the placing of them in employment is surrounded by so many difficulties.” continued th e report.

Volcano Heard in City. Distant rumbles from Mt. Ngauruhoe were heard in Wanganui on Tuesday night and again early yesterday morning, when the atmosphere was very still. During the early part of the day Mt. Ruapehu was clearly visible in the north-east and at times smoke from the volcano could be seen rising high in the grey sky. At that time Ruapehu’s snow-clad slopes appeared to be very close to Wanganui, a sure sign of approaching rain. Ngauruhoe was obscured by Ruapehu, but the smoke and steam could be seen rising above the shoulder of the larger mountain. As the morning advanced, however, the horizon clouded over and shortly after 9 o’clock the mountain was blotted out. Rain developed later and Ruapehu was not seen again yesterday.

Coastal Cargoes. By today, three coastal vessels with produce and general merchandise from South Island ports will have discharged at Castlecliff since Monday. They are the Gale from Lyttelton, the Holmdale from Dunedin and Oamaru, via Wellington, and Breeze, which arrived yesterday morning from Dunedin and Timaru, via Wellington. The Gale departed from Wanganui late on Tuesday night and the Holmdale was delayed yesterday by rain. On outward trips from Wanganui the coasters are taking wool for transhipment to overseas vessels at Wellington. Tomorrow the Holmlea is due with coal from Greymouth, followed by the Storm on Saturday with general cargo from Lyttelton, via Wellington and the Hauiti on Sunday with fencing posts from Hokitika. The m.v. Holmburn, at present making a trip between Auckland and Norfolk Island, is xpected at Wanganui about February 24 with a cargo of dolomite from Onekaka.