GENERAL NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 June 1949, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

Echo Sounding Gear Because of its financial position the Wanganui Harbour Board decided yesterday not to instal echo sounding equipment in its new dredge at present being constructed in Scotland. However, provision is to be made in the vessel for the fitting of the equipment at a later date. The decision was made on the recommendation of the Works Committee.

New Power Consumers. Thirty-six new service lines were erected and extensions made to 16 existing services in the Wanganui area during the month. This was revealed by the assistant engineer, Mr. D. B. Hughes, at the monthly meeting of the Wanganui Rangitikei Electricpower Board, yesterday. In the Marton area, 7 new service lines were connected to the board’s supply and extensions made for a further five existing consumers.

Harbour Finances “The financial position at the moment is not particularly rosy,” said the managing secretary (Mr I. Hedditch) at yesterday’s meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board. “We have made representations to the Government but we have not heard anything yet in reply, but we hope to receive a substantial sum which will help us considerably.'’ Cyclists Three Abreast

“We are a cycle-minded city and this sort of thing can become very prevalent,” said the chief traffic inspector, Mr H. E. Tipper, when a cyclist was prosecuted in the Magistrate’s Court, x Wanganui, yesterday, for riding on the outside of two other cyclists. “This habit has its dangers, but we are doing our best'to keep it in check,” Inspector Tipper added. Mr S. S. Preston, S.M., imposed a fine of 10s, costs 10s.

Museum Acquisition A member of the porpoise family which was found at the mouth of the Rangitikei River last week by Mr Nitschke and brought to Wanganui by Mr -T. H. Smith, is the latest acquisition of the Alexander Museum. Until it could be collected the porpoise was kept in cold storage at Flock House, Bulls. Described by one of the museum authorities as a beautiful specimen. the porpoise has not yet been identified as to species, but it differs in build from the one already on view in the museum. The latter came ashore at Castlecliff some years ago.

Power Consumption. Wanganui’s power consumption for May was 8.3 per cent, over the allocation stated the assistant engineer, Mr. D. B. Hughes, at yesterdays meeting of the Wanganui-RangltiKei Electricpower Board. The figures for the North Island average consumption are not yet known, but it is expected that they will be about the same as the allocation figures. Mr. Hughes added that the level of both Lake Taupo and Waikaremoana is high and is still rising. Live Tramway Cable Charged with 600 volts, an overhead tramway trolley electric cable swung low among fast-moving motor traffic and cyclists in the middle of the Dub-lin-Plymouth Street block of Victoria Avenue on Saturday night. Fortunately no one touched it. and the few vehicles that grazed it were not damaged. Three trams were backed on the north end of the broken span and Aramoho and Wanganui East services were delayed 20 minutes. The action of a young man who detoured traffic heading towards the city at the time was commended yesterday by Mr G. R. Holmes, tramways superintendent. Harbour Depths “The depths at the entrance have improved from 14ft. early in April to 17ft. 9in., and vessels are again able to enter on the leading beacons,” reported the harbourmaster (Captain R. D. Stewart) at yesterday’s meeting of the Wanganui Harbour Board. The shoal at No. 1 wharf was unchanged and lies about 100 ft off the wharf and has a depth of 12ft. 9in. at high water spring tides. Between this shoal and the wharf the grab crane was endeavouring to maintain a passage for vessels entering the basin. “The river channel to the town wharf remains at 12ft. 9in. and occasionally is 13ft 6in, ’ he reported. “This depth is slightly better than just before the original break in the South Spit. The channel must be navigated with caution until masters and pilots become familiar with the various channels.”

Pukeokahu Power Supply. “The board should consider whether the guarantees from the settlers on the Pukeokahu line should be registered to run with the land in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Amendment Ac: of last year,” reported the secretary, Mr G. A. Ammunsden, at yesterday’, meeting of the Wanganui-Rangitikoi Edctricpewer Board. “This act provides for' tv-o registrations—one to record the agreement so that subsequent trans- ■ ferecs of the land will accept their | transfer subject to th* obligation io the board, and the other to enable a ■ board to collect as against the land any amounts under the- agreement, ' that may be due by an existing holder ■ before he can transfer bis interest. ■ Registration of the agreements ap- , pears very desirable, and I would recommend that this be authorised, and the registrations completed be- ■ fore the line is commenced,’ ’he added.