Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 41, 18 February 1939, Page 8

Town Talk

Wool For Japan. After being bar-bound for a day, the Yamashita Kisen Kaisha motorship Kozan Maru berthed at Castlecliff Wharf yesterday morning, to load wool for Japan. She will sail tor Napier, thence Japan on this morning’s tide.

Curse of Bushfires. An indication of the concern with which the public of Victoria views the danger of bushfires and the need for care to ensure prevention is revealed on the envelopes of letters arriving in New Zealand from Melbourne. Stamping machines have printed warning notices—“Bushfires, it paj's to prevent them.”

Increase in Membership. The Wanganui Agricultural Association membership, because of that body’s progressive policy during the past year, now stands at 734, a net increase of 83 for the year. “While this must be considered satisfactory,” states the president (Mr. W. Craig) in his annual report, “I would urge members to assist the committee in its efforts to build up the membership to at least 1000.” Rapanui Bowling Rink Playing in the Bay of Plenty bowling tournament at Tauranga, a Rapanui rink did well. It had four wins and one loss and drew a bye in six matches. The members of the rink are Messrs. A. Handley, E. P. V. Sealy, T. Fletcher, and G. Handley. It was opposed to good talent, as many of the rinks which did well in the New Zealand tournament were participating. Memorial to Late Headmixk*r. A memorial pane.l to the memory of Ihe late Rev. C. F. Pierce, a former headmaster of the Wanganui Collegiate School, is to be dedicated in the school chapel next Wednesday evening by the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland. Mrs. Pierce will be present and a special effort is being made by boys who attended the school during Mr. Pierce’s term as headmaster to attend.

Garrison Band Leaves The Wanganui Garrison Band left by the mid-day train yesterday for Christchurch, where it is to compete at the New Zealand band contest. The band marched down Victoria Avenue playing the contest march and was farcwelled by a large crowd at the Wanganui station and also at Aramoho. The band will be conducted by Mr. R. Francis, L.R.S.M., in the hymn and test selections and will be commanded by Drum-major P. Koorcy in the quickstep.

Raetihi Ewe Fair. Two thousand ewes were yarded at Raetihi for the ewe fair held at that centre in 1914, and evidence of the growth of the Waimarino centre as a distributing point for sheep is provided by the fact that on Thursday last, 25 later, 33,000 sheep were yarded. It was not till the post-war years that the total offered at this sale reached live-figure proportions, the 1919 figures being 6700. In 1920 there were 12,000, and by 1936 the total had grown to 24,000. To years ago there was a slight drop to 20,000, and last year the total went up to 26,000. Wanganui Show Accounts. A healthy financial position is revealed in the statement of accounts of the Wanganui Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which is to be placed before the annual meeting on March 8. The excess of revenue over expenditure for the year was £231 12s Bd, which, added to the accumulated fund of the association, has raised that from £1519 to £1751. During the year, however, the association has adopted a progressive policy of improving its assets, which, according to the ac-

counts, have appreciated by £4026 giving the association an accumulated fund of £5778. Presentation to Bowler. An unexpected and pleasant little ceremony took place at the St. John’s Bowling Club green yesterday afternoon at the conclusion of the Wanganui Centre’s open singles tournament. Mr. L. Bassett, president of the centre, announced that he had been requested by friends and followers oi’ Mr. T. Penn to make a presentation, to that player. The presentation, said Mr. Bassett, was in recognition, of the great fight that Penn had put up in the tournament, especially ir. the singles, which carried with it the Hutchins Memorial Cup. Penn was a club-mate of the late Mr. Hutchins, and the pair worked together on the Wanganui East green for many years. The presentation was made to the accompaniment of cheers. Special Patrol Car.

To facilitate the marshaling and parade of the big “Physical Fitness Week” procession through the city streets next. Thursday night and to assist the management of the programme on Cook’s Gardens, the Automobile Association, Wanganui, has lent a patrol car, which will be in charge of Patrol L. Dowling. M:. K. Lambert will supply and manage a loud-speaker equipment which will enable the parade marshal to give instructions to those in the procession and generally convey information to the public along the route of march. The equipment will also be used to promote the programme of events on Cook’s Gardens.