GENERAL NEWS

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 December 1949, Page 4

GENERAL NEWS

R.S.A. Little Theatre. That the R.S.A. Little Theatre intends to stage a major production in the Opera House next February was announced by the president of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association (Mr. H. R. Giiberd) at last night’s quarterly meeting. Holiday Restrictiorgi The usual restrictions on the conveyance of goods by the railways will operate during the forthcoming holiday season. Because railway goods sheds will be closed, no goods will be accepted for conveyance on December 26 and 27 and January 2. The railair service will not operate from December 23 to January 2, both days included. Small Attendance. “I am sorry that there is such a Email attendance tonight, but it augurs well for the R.S.A., for the other 1995 members must be fully satisfied with the way we are conducting the associ ation,” said the president (Mr. H. R. Giiberd) at last night’s quarterly meeting of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association. Pohu taka was in Bloom. Pohutakawa trees, populafly known as the New Zealand Christmas tree, are bursting into bloom in parts of Wanganui. The trees are blooming earlier than usual in Wanganui where their scarlet blossoms are usually seen in profusion after the New Year. In the north of New Zealand the pohutakawa trees bloom about Christmas time but they are later in southern districts. Unfinancial Members. At present there were only 238 unfinancial members compared with 450 in September, stated the president (Mr. H. R. Giiberd) at last night’s quarterly meeting of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association. Of | that number, added Mr. Giiberd, 50 could not be traced and had apparently left the district. He considered the 'position in Wanganui was much better than in other districts. Many People in City. Attracted by perfect summer weather and Christmas shopping, many people were in the city yesterday and traffic was heavier than usual. All the shops are displaying Christmas signs, stocks and suggestions for seasonal presents and with the festive period less than two weeks away the tempo is increasing. The peak will be reached on Friday of next week, when the public will have its last opportunity of making Christmas purchases before the holidays. Wanganui Swelters. Wanganui sweltered yesterday in the hottest day experienced so far this summer, the maximum tempeiature recorded at the New Zealand Friends School being 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The minimum temperature on Tuesday night was 54 degrees. There was almost continual brilliant sunshine for the second day in succession and an almost complete absence of wind. When the day’s work was over, as many people as possible went to beaches and swimming baths to escape the heat. Last night was warm with a clear sky. Coal Stocks Accumulating. For the first time in many years, the Wanganui Gas Works have been able to build up reasonable stocks of coal before the mines close down for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Over the past month or so large quantities of West Coast coal have arrived at Castlecliff and few delays have occurred to colliers because of bad weather. T-ie Puriri has made several trips, bringing 1000 tons on each occasion < n possibly her last visit to Castlecliff before Christmas, the Puriri arrived on Monday and completed discharge yesterday of a further cargo of Greymouth coal. There is a possibility that the s.s. Holmlea will load for Wanganui at Greymouth early next week. After which no more coal is expected till after the New Year.