Wagga City Council has increased rates for property, sewerage and rubbish by 3.5 per cent, the maximum allowable.

Chairman of the Wagga Tidy Towns Committee, Jack Mullins, said Wagga had won three State Awards, the most successful in the competition.

Wagga Police patrol commander, Kevin Wales, said that crime figures for November were the lowest for the year.

Long serving rugby league official, Des French, was elected president of Wagga Rugby League after outgoing president Geoff McGilvray did not seek a further term.

Manager of Grace Bros, Glen Bruce was “furious” and manager of Kmart, Stephen Atkinson was “extremely disappointed” that thousands of Grace Bros and Kmart Christmas catalogues had been found dumped in garbage bins.

Booranga, the Riverina Writers Centre at CSU is officially opened by Minister for Arts, Peter Collins.

Community Health said the campaign against passive smoking was working well with 10 smoke free restaurants in Wagga compared to none three years ago.

About 100 guests attended a Christmas function hosted by Wagga Commercial Club president, Ron Hall.

Six major building companies have submitted tenders for the final stage of the Gobba Bridge.

50 YEARS AGO

Ald Morris Gissing was first to be elected in the Wagga City Council elections followed by newcomer Mr Keith Condon and Ald R J Harris. Only two newcomers were ultimately elected with Mrs Helen Frisby also elected later in the count.

Town Clerk, Mr W R Ellis said only 6099 people of the 15,802 enrolled had cast votes in the first non-compulsory council elections since 1947.

Wives of South Wagga Apexians held a Christmas dinner and fashion parade at the Kooringal Hotel-Motel. Models included Lorette Huthwaite, Georgie Leigh-Cooper, Marie Colley and Marion Bittar.

Some 170 students received their diplomas from Teachers College principal, M Hale at a graduation ceremony held in Hoyts Theatre.

A 150-strong choir representative of 12 schools is rehearsing for Wagga’s Carols by Candlelight Festival.

Mr L G Reberger has been elected as president and Mrs C J Merrett as secretary-treasurer of the Wagga Horticultural Society.

Caroline Graetz, Helen McKinnon and Linda Nolan all won high distinctions in their passes from Wagga Commercial College.

The Wagga branch of the Spastic Council is conducting street stalls outside Nesbitts in Baylis Street and The Diamond House, J J Speirs in Gurwood Street.

Eighty relatives and friends attended a party at his parents’ Berry Street home to celebrate the 21st birthday of Keirian Williams.