PAPAKURA NEWS.

Franklin Times, Volume XVII, Issue 73, 29 June 1927, Page 5

PAPAKURA NEWS.

THE OLD COURTHOUSE. AN EYESORE TO PAPAKURA. REQUEST FOR NEW BUILDING. INCREASE IN BUSINESS. At the conclusion of Monday’s sitting of the Papakura Magistrate’s Court, Mr. S.' D. Rice brought under the notice of the Magistrate (Mr. .1. W. Poynton, S.M.) the condition, of the Court building, and mentioned that the local chamber of commerce in- , tended making further representations. , to the Department for the erection of [ a more commodious and up-to-date ' structure. ‘‘There is no convenience in the* way of a room for solicitors to consult their clients,” said Mr. Rice, “and no adequate accommodation for the Pressmen and the legal fraternity.” Continuing, he said that as far as the town was concerned, the building was an eyesore, and was undignified for the transaction of Court business. Mr. Rice stated that the matter had been brought under the notice of Mr. W. R. McKean when sitting on the Bench.

The Magistrate agreed that the building was entirely out-of-date, and had served its purpose. There was no reason why Papakura should npt be provided with a Courthouse as good as the P'ukekohe one. Court business was sure to increase now,that Papakura was situated at the terminus of the concrete road. k The clerk (Mr. 11. 11. Munro), in support of the Magistrate’s contention, said that both the civil and criminal cases had increased by 100 per cent, in the past year.

PAPAKURA B£ND.

BOMBSHELL FOR TOWN BOARD. ACCOUNT FOR £O9. Something in the nature of a bombshell was thrown in the midst of the members of the Papakura Town Board at Monday’s meeting - , when Mr. C. CTueley, representing the town band, made the somewhat startling disclosure that the hand was £69 odd in arrears in the way of remuneration to its conductor. Board members expressed consternation at the state of affairs.

Speaking on behalf of the band, Mr. Tueley said that matters had reached such a stage that the organisation would either be faced with disbanding or making some remuneration lo the conductor. From a public viewpoint, the former action would be unwise, by reason of the fact that a. number of promising young bandsmen were receiving musical tuition. In Mr. Turley's opinion a little organisation .would obviate the 1 necessity of such a drastic steij, and if the committee appointed by fthe band would meet the bandsmen, some decision could be arrived at. ’ The band felt that it was neglected, and was reluctant to make any appeal lo the public for pecuniary assistance on account of the recent canvass made, on behalf of the fire brigade “I have the account for £69 odd in my pocket,” concluded Mr. Tueley. ' J

The Roy. W. C. Wood: Oh! for goodness sake don’t leave it here, Mr. Tueley. '(daughter.) It was stated that/ Or. ,T. B. Page and Messrs, 0. Bbagey and ,T. Niehol had been appointed as band committee. Dr. Page said that the board representatives had only been asked on one occasion to meet the band, and as that was in the vicinity of 10.30 p.m. he had not felt inclined to attend. Mr. Boagey, in concurring, remarked that he was unaware Ihe board had been committed to any expenditure. The Rev. Mr. Wood said he could not permit Mr. Tueley’s remarks to pass unchallenged. At a meeting held last year, and over which he presided, an attempt was made to formulate a committee, and he understood the band was left, to make the initiatory steps. When the speaker was chairman of the board he had made earnest endeavours on behalf of the band, but there was a lack of response on its part. What

justification there was for such an accumulation of salary he would not venture to say. The chairman (Mr. .1. McCall) : II is ridiculous to allow a salary to accumulate to the extent of £O9 and then come to the hoard for assistance. To me it seems a slipshod method of conducting business. Astonishment- at the existing state of affairs was expressed by Mr. H. E. McEntee. The band was a separate entity, and should have approached the hoard before. Regarding salary, the closure, should have been applied previously. Mr. Tueley, in explanation, said he considered that the committee -would investigalo the position of the. hand affairs when appointed. The instruments and uniforms were the property /vf the hoard, ft had been suggested that a carnival be held iii order to raise money to liquidate- the debt. Mr. Tueley then left the meeting. The chairman: There is no excuse for permitting the amount to reach £69.

The Rev. Mr. Wood: The tact that the board are the trustees of the In- j strumcnts does not affect the issue. 1 The board was never consulted regarding the bandmaster, or as to what, salary should be paid to him. It was found when the committee was first set up that a number of instru mentis were missing,' and ,In . sopie instances were irrecoverable. The bpard .^houici. l take .steps' tb bring the' matter tb s&irne finality, and the Shouid and investigate, as ther.e may be otjmr debts arid trouble over. Jps|rument.Svym The Rev. Mr. Wood ipevert, seconding, that the band, the board be asked to consider" the position of the band and report!.' |, ' i Mr. McEntee: The board is not. financially responsible for : , thfi' band-te debts. The band is m need pf,.rpepciing or ending,’ preferably the'latiejp . „ 1 The motion was carried. 11