Town Talk

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 131, 5 June 1934, Page 4

Town Talk

Sharp Earthquake. A sharp earthquake was felt at Wanganui last evening at 5.14 o’clock. No damage has been reported. Old Guards’ Reunion. Members of the old Wanganui Guards held their annual reunion last night at Dustin’ rooms. In a happy atmosphere a toast list was honoured interspersed with songs and musical numbers. In the morning the “Guards” hold a shoot at the Drill Hall. Football Injuries. Injuries were suffered by several players on the football fields in Wanganui yesterday, and, as a result, Hodson, the Marist half-back will be out of action for some time. He suffered a compound fracture of the left thumb. J. Morgan received a badly cut forehead in the Taranaki-Wanganui match and required stitches, while Edwards, a Kaierau junior, also had his head cut. Another Kaierau player broke a collarbone.

Inspection by Minister. Children who, until recently, have been taught by correspondence, will be inspected in their new school to-mor-row by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. J. Bitchener, who arrives at Wanganui this evening. The Minister is to carry out a tour of inspection at Taumatatahi, Waitotara Valley, where the school is situated, and in which neighbourhood much work has been carried out during the past two years by the Public Works Department. The Minister is to be entertained to luncheon by the settlers. A Big Rugby Crowd It is estimated that there was a crowd of approximately 5500 at the Rugby match between Wanganui and Taranaki on Spriggens Park yesterday. The gate takings were £310, which was £9 better than last year. Very smooth organisation functioned, the Wanganui Rugby Union and the Metropolitan Union working in close co-opera-tion. Holding a match on a Wanganui ground entails a good deal of detail work which falls largely on the officials of the Metropolitan Union, all of whom accept their responsibilities with a great deal of zeal.

Rugby Teams at Dinner. The two Rugby teams of Wanganui and Taranaki, had dinner at the Criterion Hotel yesterday after the match on Spriggens Park. It was a most enjoyable function and served to once again strengthen the ties of two important provincial unions. Dr. G. J. Adams, president of the Wanganui Union, presided and a short toast list was honoured. Later the Taranaki team, which was under the management of Mr. Arthur Guy, travelled back to the mountain province. Every member thoroughly enjoyed his stay and tributes were paid to mine host, Mr. C. G. Rhimes. Bones of Maoris Dog. Remains of that interesting animal, the Maori dog, which is now extinct, were found recently by Messrs. J. R. Wilson and Andrew Sharpe, of Tawanui, states the Otago Daily Times. While exploring the small island adjacent to that township, they came on a Maori midden, and excavation in this brought to light a collection of bones. These were sent to Dr. Benham, curator of the Otago University Museum, by whom they were identified as being seal bones, moa bones and the top portion of the skull of a Maori dog. The Maori dog, specimens of which have at various times been found, was a small animal, with, sharp features and of attractive and intelligent appearance. T.Y.M.I. Reunion. Upwards of 100 old members of the T.Y.M.I. are expected to be present at the reunion to take place next Monday evening in the Trinity schoolrooms, and it is understood that they will come from all quarters of the North Island, from Auckland to Wellington. Old memories will be revived and reminiscences of old institute life will be recalled, and it is hoped that old photographs will be brought to the gathering together with souvenirs, reports and magazines. The committee is also anxious to secure the last minute book containing the minutes of the meetings during 1907 to 1912. The schoolroom is to be decorated with the T.Y.M.I.’s colours, black and green.

More Work for Magistrates. In consequence of the absence on extended leave in England of Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M., of Feilding, a rearrangement of the magisterial work in the Wanganui and New Plymouth districts has been made, involving the absorption of the Feilding district by the other two districts. It is believed the arrangement will be permanent. The New Plymouth district will be extended to embrace the Courts at Taumarunui, Hawera, Patea, and Waverley, and these will be administered by Mr. W. H. Woodward, of New Plymouth. Mr. J. H. Salmon, of Wanganui, will have the administration of additional Courts at Ohakune, Taihape, Hunterville, Marton and Feilding. The Wanganui magistrate has had the oversight of the Hawera Court, which previously came within the New Plymouth district, for a number of years. The Court at Taumarunui sits once a month on Tuesdays, and this sitting will involve the necessity of Mr. Woodward travelling from New Plymouth by the night express arriving there early on Wednesday morning for the usual Police Court sitting at New Plymouth on the Wednesday.

A Crowd Impressed. Spectators at Spriggens Park yesterday afternoon were impressed when the crowd of 6000 rose after the Wanganui and Taranaki representative teams cheered each other prior to the match beginning and the referee, Mr. N Reid, gave the signal to the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band for the National Anthem to be played. Heads were bared, and the large crowd remained in silence while the anthem was played and the two opposing teams faced each other on the field, the sun lighting up their brightly-coloured jerseys. The crowd was to rise again and heads were to be bared and hats flung high on two further occasions during the afternoon, but not out of respect to the King. The occasions marked the scoring of tries by the two opposing wingers, Bullock-Douglas and Hunter. There was intense excitement when Bullock-Douglas streaked away on an 80-yard run, beating Collins to score in the corner, and also when Hunter made a fine 40-yard dash with Chase and McPhee hard on his heels. He outstripped them and scored behind the posts. The King’s birthday is always looked forward to at Wanganui for its football matches, and the expectation was fully rewarded yesterday.