NORTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO.

tFmou Oue Special Coebespondent.)

DRUNK IN CHARGE OF CART A police constable carrying a cart lamp, another a whip, and a third three bottles of whisky, formed a procession into the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morning, when Joseph Johnston, of Pukeuri, aged 65 years, was charged before Messrs J M’Diarmid and W. S. Crombie, J.P.’s, with being drunk while in charge of a vehicle. Johnston was also charged with driving his cart without a light. The accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Constable Joyce said that at 1 o’clock on Saturday morning he heard men talking and arguing in the vicinity of the South African Memorial. He saw two men in a gig, and they were drinking out of a whisky bottle. There was no light on the cart. Witness went up to them and asked them their names, telling Johnston that he was not in a fit condition to be in charge of the cart. He (witness) said that he would take charge. He got up on the cart, but Johnston got abusive, and used language which the constable considered somewhat too strong. Witness got down and took the horse by the head to lead it to the police station. Accused then lashed the horse with the whip, and also struck at witness. Eventually witness managed to steer the frightened animal to the police station, where accused struck a t him with the butt-end of the whip. Constable-' Waring then came on the scene, and assisted witness to get the men into the cells Asked if he had any questions to put, Johnston said the constable wa.c felling a bundle of lies, and went on to give his version of the affair, when he was brought to a stop by the Bench To the Bench: The lamp was burning when he (Johnston) came out of the stable. He had lit it, he would swear to it. Constable Waring gave corroborative evidence. He had found accused abusing Constable Joyce. On the request of accused, witness had called in Dr SmithMorton to examine Johnston as to bis condition. Johnston (to witness): What did SmithMorton say?—He told me I wa s sober. On the Senior-Sergeant producing the doctor's certificate,- accused’s remark appeared erroneous, the certificate stating that Johnston was not in a fit condition to drive the vehicle. A witness, who was passing at the time, corroborated the previous witness’s evidence. Johnston, in the witness-box, said tbe lantern, which belonged to the stables, had been lit, before he left. To the Bench: If the policeman had left me alone I’d have been all right. In reply to a question by the Bench as to having a drink at tbe time, accused replied that they might have stopped and had a drink. He had had a busy day paying bills, and was just going home. He did not know where he got the whisky. Senior-Sergeant Shanahan; How many nips did you have? About a dozen? Witness; Oh, hardly, sergeant, give it a spell. The court adjourned for five minutes, and on resuming the justices found accused guilty on both charges. He was fined £l. and 7s costs, for driving without a light, and on the more serious charge was fined £3. and costs, including witnesses expenses. Accused (to the Bench): I think you've made it pretty solid anyhow. Prior to his leaving the court accused made an appeal for the return of bis whisky, and the Bench agreed to his request. William Simpson, Johnston's companion, was charged with being drunk, to which he pleaded guilty, and, being a statutory first offender, was convicted and discharged. THE DENTAL CLINIC. At a meeting of the Committee of the Oamaru Dental Clinic, the following were present; Dr Douglas (chairman), Messrs .1. T. Calder, S. G. Reid. J. Mitchell and S. Mollison. The Chairman reported that an inspection of the new building had been made by Mr Saunders, the acting-director of jPxglene. .who had been very.

NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT.

favourably impressed with the rooms. i was hoped that the Hon. J. A. Younj (Minister of Health), would perform tin opening ceremony, at an early date. Miss E. Pragnell. the ■ nurse appointee to take charge of the clinic, was in attend ance, and intimated tbe desirability of com mencing charting at once, and it was de cided that arrangements be made for hei to commence with the infant children a the North School. Details in connection with furnishing! and equipment were discussed. It was re ported that arrangements were in hunt for a concert to be held shortly to assisl the funds. One chair and equipment foi the clinic had arrived, and as soon as the other arrived. Nurse Carroll would take ud her duties. It was decided to advertise stressing the importance of the parents signing and returning the forms of consent as soon as possible, as, otherwise, treatment could not be proceeded with. RETURNED SOLDIERS. The interest that is being manifested in the annual election of an executive of the Returned Soldiers’ Association is more active than it has been for some years past. This is due to the strong divergence of opinion that exists in regard to he , continuing of the Returned Soldiers' Club. Some argue that tbe ■* accorded the club does not warrant its continuance. Others contend that the institution is serving a most useful purpose in providing a means of social reunion and recreation (or returned soldiers The advocates of the “continuance” policy are sanguine that they will carry the day- at the annual meeting this month. QUICK GROWTH. As showing the fertility of the soil in the Oamaru district, it may be mentioned that up-to-date potatoes sown at Christmas were dug during Easter week. A VALUABLE CARGO. The overseas steamer Kaikoura completed the loading of her cargo at Oamaru on Saturday evening, and sailed for Lyttelton at midnight. The cargo taken aboard at Oamaru comprised 27,564 carcases of mutton and lamb. 146 casks of tallow, 357 bales of wool, and two cases of machinery. TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The Oamaru Technical School is experiencing some difficulty in securing pupils. An official notice has been given that the enrolments in book-keeping, shorthand, millinery, and dressmaking are not sufficient to warrant the commencement of classes, and an appeal has been made for further pupils. FOOTBALL. The football season was opened on Saturday, when the Old Boys, Excelsior, and Athletic Clubs held successful practices on the show grounds. The Association players held a practice on Takaro Park. A Rugby match was played between representatives of tbe Maheno and Kauru Hill Clubs, and resulted in a win for Kauru Hill by 35 points to 16 points. MOTOR LICENSES. The licensing of motors and drivers is proceeding apace in Oamaru. Nevertheless there are a great many people who do not appear to appreciate tbe fact that in both cases the licenses are renewable annually. People do not seriously object to paying the 5s fee for a driver's license, but loud protests are heard against the annual charge of £2 for a motor car. Owners of cars contend that they are pay-

ing a double tax for the upkeep of roads, firstly, through the tyre tax, and, secondly, through the motor license. They state that they would not complain so much if they saw tangible results in the shape of greatly improved roads. AW AMO A BOWLERS. Speaking at the closing of the Awamoa bowling green on Saturday on behalf of the president, who was unavoidably absent. Mr H A. W. Woodward congratulated the club s team upon the stand it had made in the 16 recent tournament. He also expressed , pleasure at the progress that had been ! ? mode by the club during the few years it c) ' had been in existence, ue- % GOLF. ts The North Otago Golf Club opened its e- season on Saturday in beautiful weather <1 with a mixed foursome The links were in good order. The president (Mr A)r Fraser), in declaring the season open, com--10 merited on the good work that had been e done by Mr Basil Smith in the preparation of the course. hie also thanked the ladies 5 for attending in such large numbers and " expressed the hope that nr enjoyable day would be spent. The ball with which the c new links was opened was presented to the club handsomely mounted bv the late president. Mr Holmes. The best card handed in during the dav was that of Miss Ireland and Mr J. N. Wilson. ,f ELECTRIC CURRENT. e s The contractor for the wiring in (he 6 country districts in connection with the J e Waitnki Electric Power Board wil] com- ’■ inence work on Monday. He is bringe ing his staff from Cbnst'burch. The whole ! - of the material required for the work has arrived The Weston and Ardgowan disa tricts will be the first to be connected up. r