TUAPEKA NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 19985, 1 October 1928, Page 5

TUAPEKA NOTES

[From Odr Own Correspoxuknt.] LAW 11F.\CF, September -1). Tlie Tuapeka County Council lias discovered that it is not an easy matter to collect hawkers’ license Ices, and is now anxious to put its by-law bearing thereon to the test legally. A Jew months ago several neighbouring county councils—Tuapeka among the number—joined issue and engaged the services of an experienced lawyer to prepare a joint set of by-laws dealing with hawkers’ licenses, building permits, etc., only to lind that it was one thing to draft and adopt by-laws, and quite another thing for these by-laws, after being adopted and printed, to operate, smoothly and effectively. At its last meeting the Tuapeka County Council resolved to appeal to those counties which banded together in the preparation of the by-laws already referred to to share in the expense of a test case .so Jar as the enforcement ol tire Jiawker’s license foes are concerned. Most of the counties interested liave replied favourably to the appeal, and it can be taken for granted that the law will be set in motion at an early date to bring matters to a head. The proceedings will be followed with a good deal of interest not only by members of local government bodies, but also by business people, ns in those days the hawker (whose number is not decreasing) picks up a lot of country trade which would largely pass into local channels were he not on the mad.

The paragraph published in the ‘Star’ during the week to the died that a powerful company in London, operating extensively in gold dredging areas, was prepared to spend half a million pounds in developing _ mining proper!ies in Otago, was very interesting rending. As soon as the powerful dredge, in course of construction, for operating on the Alolyneu.x River in the Olyde-Cromwell Gorge, is an established fact and gets fairly to work, there is certain to be a big impetus given to this class of mining. Plenty of foreign capital is said to be available for big undertakings in localities whore prospects indicate that powerful and well-equipped machines are essential to the material success of a venture. There are long stretches of tiic Molyneux River where practically the bestdesigned dredges of late years were unsuccessful in their operations, that would pay handsomely if equipped with powerful dredges of modern design, skilfully controlled. Mr Jas Ritchie, the official Reform candidate, is doing his best to infuse a little life into matters 'political in the Central Otago electorate. He lias visited nearly all the chief centres during the past fortnight, and has been successful' in forming committees in each place in furtherance of his candidature. News is to hand that Air W. P. Colter, of Hawca Flat, is coming out for the seat in the interests of the United Party. I question very much if there is anything in this, as it is well enough known that Mr W. A. Bodkin, of Alexandra, is to carry tbo United banner at tbe election. It is generally understood that the election will be fought out between Messrs Ritchie and Bodkin.

Mr Henry Hagen, a very old resident of passed away at the beginning of the week. He was in his ninety-third year, and followed mining pursuits for the greater part of his lifetime, being on the Victorian goldfields prior to the discovery of gold at Waitahuna. He was a well-informed man of studious habits and took a keen interest in horticulture, being a very active _member of the local hoVticultural society, of which he was president for some years.