Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 43, 21 February 1939, Page 6

Town Talk

Artesian Well. A fine well of artesian water has been sunk at the rear of the Wanganui Mild Cure Bacon Factory premises in Taupo Quay.

Farmers’ Rally. Wide interest is being taken in the farmers’ rally to be held at Makirikiri to-night, its purpose being to discuss the problem of the hill-country farmer in New Zealand.

New Telephone Directory. The April edition of the Wanganui telephone directory is now in course of preparation, and the Post and Telegraph Department advises that the last day on which new or amended entries can be made is February 28.

Primary School Sports. The combined primary schools’ athletic sports will be held on Cook’s Gardens on Friday, March 24. It is anticipated that, with all district schools represented, approximately 500 children will be competing in the various events on the programme. Aramoho School Swimming.

The Aramoho School has one of the largest percentages of swimmers in local primary schools, and practically all children above Standard II are able to swim. The school's swimming championships will be held on Friday afternoon.

Interest in Wanganui Show. Indicative of the interest bein; taken in the management of thi Wanganui Agricultural and Pastmai

Show, the secretary, Mr.' A. R. Donaldson, reports that six new members are seeking election to the committee. Nominations close on March 1 and the annual meeting is to be held on March 8. Lawhorn: School Sports.

As part of its share in the "Fitness Week" campaign, the Tawhero School will stage school sports in the grounds to-morrow afternoon, commencing at 2 o'clock. An invitation is being extended parents 1.0 attend this sports meeting, and if the weather should prove wet the sports will be postponed till Friday. Cycle Shortage Feared. A complaint that though drastic reductions in the number of cycles permitted to be imported have been made under the Import Conti oi Regulations, no increase in materials that would permit of an extension of manufacture have been authorised, is voiced by members of the trade in Auckland. It is considered that in the circumstances a shortage or cycles is inevitable. Widening Heads Road Corner. With the object of further improving the bottle-neck in Heads Road between Sarjeant Street and Carlton Avenue, the Wanganui City Council is cutting back a corner near Liffiton Street. The cycle track recently laid down in this locality has greatly improved the conditions, lightening the volume of traffic on the main road. The wider width of bitumen where (he corner is now being set back will tend to still further improve the road. Cook's Gardens Entrance. Work is now well advanced on the scheme to improve the Maria frontage of Cook’s Gardens, and already the centre piece is taking shape. The striking features of the structure will be two massive pillars 14 feet high and 4 feet square, on either side of the gateway. Two nine feel wide paths will branch out from the ornately designed main entrance and meet in the cutting at the crest of the hill, where the South African War Memorial will be mounted to form a striking horizon piece.

Fire Brigades’ Conference. Accommodation has been booked in Wanganui for approximately 500 visiting fire-brigadesmen who will be attending the Dominion conference and •demonstraiion, commencing on March 6. Accompanying the party will be 70 ladies, and they will be drawn from all parts of New Zealand. The chairman of the local committee making arrangements for the demonstration, Mr. A. E. Halligan, stated last night that all preparations were complete for the week's activities, and given fine weather the gathering should be a great success.

It Was Dempster’s Suggestion. "It was at C. S. Dempster’s suggestion that I included Wanganui in the itinerary of my tour through New Zealand," said Sir Julien Cahn, sponsor of the English cricket team at present touring New Zealand, in an interview. "I thought Wanganui would be a very small place and when I arrived by plane I was naturally .surprised at its size." Sir Julien Cahn was impressed by Cook's Gardens, and said it was a fine playing field and Wanganui was fortunate in having it so near to the centre of the city. Mission of the Church. "In the real mission of the Church she has no competitors. If she does not give herself to her sublime anu mighty task then it is left unattempted and undone. Is the Church fulfilling her mission?'’ asked Rev. A. Mcßean, the new president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, al the annual conference in Christchurch. “It isn't a question of getting people to come to church, though that is difficult enough in these days of the week-end habit, the motorcar and wireless. The question rather concerns what they find when they do come. Why do we ask them to come? What is expected to happen in the church service? Are they to come in the expectancy that they might hear a good sermon? There must be more. The people must not be spectators or listeners, but worshippers."

An Astonished Swimmer. “Just look. I’m swimming without using my arms," was the astonished remark of a pupil at the Convent School baths yesterday afternoon when receiving instruction in swimming from Mr. J. B. Cotterill, M.P., who is president of the Wanganui Centre. Mr. Cotterill had been encouraging the children to use the modern method of swimming instruction, and this child had advanced to the stage of using the leg kick advocated by Professor D. B. Anderson. Much to her surprise she found that, with her arms extended straight in front of her, she was able to propel herself with legs alone. The method has proved very successful wherever adopted, stated Mr. Cotterill, and many swimmers showed considerable imnrovement when usine it.