Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 48, 27 February 1939, Page 6

Town Talk

Garrison Band’s Return. The Wanganui Garrison Band, which was placed second in the A grade test selections and the A grade quickstep at the New Zealand contest, at Christchurch, will return to the city to-morrow. Never Seen the Sea.

A child, 11 years of age, who has never seen the sea, and who lives in a Main Trunk centre, has applied to the Wanganui Education Board for admission to the children’s health camp which is to be opened to-mor-row. Music at the Races. The Queen Alexandra Mounted Rifles Band again provided the programme of music at the Wanganui races on Saturday, under the direction of Conductor A. R. Spurdie. Several numbers of the popular type from recent successful films found immediate favour with the large crowd of visitors. Three Minor Fires. The Wanganui Fire Brigade was called out to three minor fires during the week-end. Calls were received at 12.26 and 12.46 p.m. on Saturday to grass fires, and at 5.43 p.m. on Sunday, a fire in Balgownie Swamp demanded attention. All three fires were extinguished before any damage was done.

Business in Badges. It was noticeable that many of the men who returned to Wanganui from the military camp at Waiouru, on Saturday, were wearing strange badges. One man had a Wellington badge on one side of his coat, one from Taranaki on the other side, and a Hawke’s Bay badge on his hat. Questioned about it, he said the badge collecting had become a hobby. Some “raided” tents to get their sets complete, he said, while others traded. Badges were bringing up as high as 2s 6d, he added.

Methodist Centennial Fund. The Methodist Church of New Zealand will endeavour to raise a centennial thanksgiving fund of not less than £150,600 during 1940, slates a Press Association message from Christchurch. The proposal, which was introduced by the president-elect, Rev. L. B. Neale, at the annual conference of the church, was received with enthusiastic approval. After some discussion the matter was referred to the Home Missions Board, which was authorised to set up special committees in each district.

Miraculous Escape. Detective-Sergeant N. W. Bayliss, of Wanganui, while visiting Ohura last week, investigated an accident, where the occupants had a remarakble escape from serious injury. A Ford car, while endeavouring to pass a lorry, left the road on Weiberg Hill, near Nihoniho, and rolled over three times, but was held by willows from falling into the river 60ft. below. The driver and occupants of the car were bruised and shaken, but the car was damaged almost beyond repair.

Boys’ Walking Race. A* popular diversion at the West Coast amateur athletic championships on Cook's Gardens, on Saturday night, was the quarter-mile boys’ walk. More than 50 boys took part, and roars of mirth rose from the spectators as the smaller ones, disdaining the sedate goose-step of their elders, broke into a run and took the lead. Chased by two frantic officials, they scampered round the track until only five yards from the finishing tape, when, having outdistanced the field, they correctly heel-toed their way to collect the prizes.

River Scenery Praised. “I have travelled on all the rivers in my State, and we have no scenery to equal yours,” said Mr. Bernal L. Tatman. nf SI. Louis, U.S.A., when he arrived in Wanganui on Saturday after a trip down the Wanganui River. He was impressed with the leisurely flow of the river in and out of deep canyons, and the many twists and turns it. made on its way to the sea.

“The scenery was lovely,” he said. “I was so interested that I stood on the bow of the steamer all the way.” Mr. Tatman considered the river-trip was the highlight, of his New Zealand tour.

Bandsman Removed Coat. The antics of one of the members of the Taranaki Regimental and New Plymouth Municipal Band provided a little amusement for the audience at the second B grade test selection in the King Edward Barracks, Christchurch, says the Press. Apparently considering that he would have to get down to business, he removed his bright red coat just as his band was getting ready to begin, and produced a brown felt hat, which he planted firmly on his head. One of the supervisors, however, whispered a few words to him, amid laughter from the crowd, and he struggled back into his coat, removing the brown hat as an after-thought.

Quick Movement. Three members of the Queen Alexandra Band marched with the Feeding band in the quickstep at Christchurch on Saturday and arrived back in Wanganui in time to play at Castlecliff beach yesterday afternoon. They caught the express steamer from Lyttelton on Saturday night came by train to Feilding on Sunday morning and on from there by car, arriving in time to rush to Castlecliff to help entertain the large crowd on the beach, which assembled to see the surf display by the Castlecliff Surf Club. It was one of the best days at the beach Wanganui has had this season, notwithstanding that a fog and cold hreeze sprang up in the late afternoon.

Pipe Band Competitions. During the week members of the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band competed for medals presented by Mrs. G. D. Hazelwood, the first lady vicepresident. The competition was on a handicap basis, and the judge was Mr. H. Facfarlane. On the adjustment of points the following awards were made.—A Grade: L. Stewart 1, A. Russell 2, T. Mulcahy 3. B Grade: S. Loveridge 1, J. Meikle 2, A. Futchart 3. The members of the band and visitors were entertained at afternoon tea by a committee of ladies, including Mrs. Hazelwood, Mrs. W. Budge, and Mrs. J. Meikle. In a happy little speech, Mrs. Hazelwood extended to the band good wishes and hopes for success at the New Zealand championships, at Christchurch, next week.