Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 6

Town Talk

Tour to Australia. According to the Railway Office at Wanganui, arrangements have been completed by the Tourist Department for a return visit of a New Zealand peso party to Australia to leave Wellington on April 13 and returning on May 9. Grass and Lupin Fire. The Wanganui Fire Brigade answered a call at 11.51 a.m. on Saturday to a lupji and grass lire in Raupo Street, Castlecliff. Although three acres were alight and the brigade had to use the pump and 600 feet of hose for two hours, the flames ’ ere suppressed before any damage to property was done. Excursion to New Plymouth. A special train left Wanganui yesterday for a week-end excursion to New Plymouth. When it reached Patea the train had 350 passengers aboard. Fine weather was experienced on the visit to New Plymouth and the return journey made last evening, the train reaching Wanganui about 9.30 p.m. Waverley Baths. Several improvements are being planned for the Waverley baths, at which another swimming carnival, is to be held next Saturday night. A high diving platform is to be erected this week in readiness for a daring display of diving at the carnival. In addition, plans are being laid for increased seating accommodation and further protection from the weathei Wet Weather for Swimming. The threatening weather on Saturday evening and the rain which fell shortly after 8 o’clock affected the attendance at the Wanganui East baths, where the concluding events in the Wanganui district swimming championships were held. Conditions for spectators on the uncovered seats were very uncomfortable, and even the swimmers did not relish the unwelcome rain. Busy Bowlers. Wanganui bowling enthusiasts wiii have a busy time this week. The Wanganui Centre’s pairs and singles championships will be decided over the next four days, play commencing, to-morrow. On Thursday the annual triangular contest for the Duthie Cup wifi be played on the Wanganui Club's green, the visiting teams being from Hutt and Wellington. Takapuna Steam Trams. With the reconstruction of the bottom of the motor road leading to the Bayswater wharf, Auckland, the last remaining traces of the old Takapuna steam trams have been removed. The work has involved the digging up and removal of some 100 yards of the old rails and sleepers. The road is now to be bitumemsea, with a footpath along the sea wall. The Departed “Arcadia.” The live-storied Arcadia Hotel in Wellington has almost disappeared. Its bricks and cement dust have been scattered round the city and suburbs. Thousands of bricks have been eagerly purchased by builders, professional and amateur. Another week will see the site entirely clear, and ready lot the impressive addition to the State Fire Insurance Department’s premises. Harvesting Against Time. Wanganui patrons bound lor the Hawera races on Saturday were treated to the spectacle of a large number of farmers busily engaged in harvesting their crops while the line weather lasted. several large stacks of hay were being built at various places cn route, and fortunately these were completed before heavy, driving rain fell late in the evening. The majority of the farmers won in their race against Collision With Train. When a light delivery truck in which he was a passenger was involved in a collision witn the engine of a traffi travelling from Aramoho to Wanganui at about 6.10 p.m. on Saturday, Evan Cuff, of Gonville Avenue, received head injuries which necessitated his admission to the' Wanganui Public Hospital. The driver of the truck, Joseph Clifford, of Nib-! left Street, suffered only slight injuries and was attended by a doctor. Popular Picnics. Several well-patronised picnics were held during the week-end. On Saturday a large number of pupils, parents and supporters of the Aramoho School attended the annual picnic, which was held at Nukumaru. Yesterday upwards of 400 journeyed upriver for the Post and Telegraph picnic, and a train consisting of fif-

teen carriages conveney a. large crowd to the Marlon racecourse lor the Cosmopolitan Club's annual picnic. Cruise Ship Tourists. Wanganui hotels were booked to capacity last night, when tourists from the 24,000-ton Stratheden, which arrived at Auckland on Saturday, spent the night in the city, prior to rejoining the ship at Wellington to-day. The Stratheden’s passengers include 843 Australian tourists. Only one more cruise ship, the Strathallan, is scheduled to visit the Dominion this season. The ship, which will be the eighth tourist liner, will arrive at Auckland from Brisbane on March 10. Racing Cyclist Injured.

Severe head injuries were suffered by Neville Gamble, aged 24 years, of 35 Franklin Road, Ponsonby, Auckland, on Saturday night, when he crashed, while competing in the 10mile invitation scratch race at the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club’s sports meeeting on Cook’s Gardens. The crash was caused by the bicycle tyre slipping off the rim. Gamble was admitted to the V’anganui Public Hospital, where Be hegained consciousness. His c -ndition was reported last night to oe art changed.

Visit to Health Camp. An unofficial visit to th Wanganui Health Camp was made i Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, Director of School Hygiene, on Saturday. The doctor was accompanied by the Mayor, Mr. W. J. Rogers, Dr. M. Moir, schools medical officer in Wanganui, Messrs. Hope Gibbons, G. N. Boulton (secretary of the Wanganui Education Board), A. G. Bignell, and A. R. Donaldson (secretary of the Health' Camp Trust Board). Dr. Gunn expressed herself as being extremely pleased with the camp, its situation and appointments, and gave her approval of arrangements made for the. of the camp.