Saturday's challenge 'Walkathon' is expected to raise over $1,000 for the Q-Robin School at Wauchope. The 20 mile hike, from North Haven, had a colourful ending in Horton Street at 1.15pm when the main body of walkers were piped to the Post Office by the Hastings District Pipe Band. Ten of twelve walkers representing Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton service clubs completed the full distance. They had responded to a challenge issued by Port Macquarie Rotary Club leader, Rev. Bob Allan. Saturday morning's thunderstorm gave the walkers a welcome break as it occurred just as they were passing the Golf Club. The two women walkers, Jean Starr representing Port Macquarie Quota Club and Dorothy Sheather, (Wauchope Quota), were well ahead of the men when the storm broke and were drenched before they arrived at the Ampol service station in Lord Street.

Tonight's ordinary meeting of the Port Macquarie Municipal Council could have a very late start. The Mayor, Ald. C. C. Adams, was kidnapped at noon today by a group of sixth form students from Port Macquarie High School, who were celebrating their first day of freedom from school rules and routine. Ald. Adams was hand-cuffed and placed in leg irons. Two students armed with shotguns guarded him. At the time of going to Press, the students were holding the Mayor to ransom. They have announced he will not be released until $500 has been handed over. The money is required to complete construction of the Apex Club's hydrotherapy pool at the hospital.

Health Week starts in Port Macquarie today with various items of interest to spotlight the necessity for everyone to keep healthy and happy. One of the events which has been organised for public demonstration is a schools' poster competition with health as a central motif. More than 400 entries have been received and have been judged by the well-known Australian artist, Mr. Cyril Boyles, who is now living in Port Macquarie. The winning posters are being displayed from today in the Commonwealth Bank's premises with the remainder in the Municipal Library.

The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie West is making good progress with the building of the storage shed to house the Carnival of the Pines jet rescue boat. The Port Macquarie Surf Club will also house a boat in the shed to assist in rescue on both the bar and the river. A team of volunteers turned up on Sunday morning to help with the construction work. Some of the town's bricklayers donated their spare time and Rotary Club members did the labouring. Mr. Bruce Jordan, a Rotary Club spokesman, said the tradesmen deserved the highest credit in assisting with projects such as this one.