GENERAL NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 May 1949, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Harrier Club. As a prelude to the official opening of the Wanganui Harrier season next Saturday, members of the Harrier Club held a practice run last Saturday. The 1949 opening run will be held from the Union Boat Club. Fire In Oven The Wanganui Fire Brigade received a call on Saturday to the residence of Mr J. Walker, Moana Street, Wanganui East, where a fire had occurred in an electric oven. A machine was despatched from Central Station and the fire was suppressed before any damage resulted. Motor-Cyclist In Hospital When the motor-cycle he was riding capsized during a sports meeting at Liverpool Park on Saturday, Keith Sollitt, of Hinau Street, Castlecliff, received a fractured collarbone and an internal injury. He was admitted to the Wanganui Hospital and his condition last night was reported to be satisfactory. Schoolboy Rugby The popularity of Saturday morning Rugby for schoolboys was exemplified in Wanganui last Saturday when 240 boys, comprising 16 teams, took part in practice matches under Ihe control of the Wanganui Rugby Union. A further series of practice matches will be played on Saturday morning this week. Horseman Injured When thrown from a horse on Saturday morning, Mr. Roland Young, Upper Aramoho, received a fractured collarbone and dislocated his right shoulder. The accident occurred on Mr Young’s farm. The horse was a young animal which was just being broken in. It had only been ridden for a week. Encouraging Native Birds. The Wanganui Acclimatisation society has continued with its policy of distributing plants of winter flowering gums throughout the district in order to encourage the spread oi native birds, states the president, Mr. H. Manguson, in his annual report. He adds that during the past year, 1400 trees were distributed. Vermin Destroyed. ‘‘A greater number of vermin have been accounted for during the past year,” states the president of the Wanganui Acclimatisation Society, Mr. H. Manguson, in his annual report. “The payment rates have been substantially incerased anj this is no doubt acting as an incentive to destroy them. During the year, the payments made were for 300 stoats and weasels, 520 hawks and 412 hedgehogs.” Nikau at Town Wharf. After being delayed for a day by engine trouble, the coastal motor-ship Nikau, arrived at the Town Whan yesterday morning from Mapua, via Nelson. The vessel brought 5700 cases of apples which will be discharged into railroad wagons today and -forwarded to Auckland. The shipment is the first of its kind to come through Wanganui this season and after discharge the Nikau returns to Mapua for a further load. On arrival at Auckland, the apples will go into the cool steres on King's Wharf. Overcast Weather. In spite of the barometer being unusually high, the weather in Wanganui yesterday was overcast and rather cold. Saturday was fine and mild with intermittent sunshine. Sundaydawned bright and clear, but the sky clouded over by 10 a.m. and the sun was not seen again during the day. At 4 p.m. the' barometer was steady at 30.40in5., the highest reading for some days. There was no wind, and at Castlecliff the sea was smooth.

Old Members Vote. Two of the oldest members of the St. John’s Workingmen’s Club, Wanganui attended the club on Saturday and voted with other members at the annual election of ofiicers. Polling was from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and much interest was taken, 24 nominations being received for the eight vacancies on the committee. The veterans were Mr. J. Barnes, aged 92, one of the foundation members of the club, and Mr. W. Mann, aged 87, who has been a member for more than 40 years. .

A Wanganui Ode 11. is the intention of the Wanganui Savage Club to have its own opening □de, the writing of both words and music to be done in Wanganui and to have the words ‘‘Wanganui Savage Club” featured, so that when parties of club members ''/sit other clubs in New Zealand they will be able to sing an entirely Wanganui number. To make sure that all talent in the club gets its chance, the “Rangatira” (Savage A. F Newrick) said on Saturday night, at the opening “korero” of the season, that a prize would be offered for the best set of verses (two and a chorus) suitable for setting to music, which will be composed by Savage E. O. Schnack. The best halfdozen or so sets of verses will be placed before the membership and a vote taken on the best effort, which will be acclaimed as the new ode.