SOUTH OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24721, 25 September 1941, Page 11

SOUTH OTAGO

BALCLUTHA Thefts of Petrol Alleged.—At a sit- / ling of the Magistrate's Court yester- ( day, before Mr H. J. Dixon, S.M., I Robert Murray, labourer, of Roma- ) hapa, was charged with stealing one j 12-gallon petrol drum and 12 gallons of petrol, of a total value of £2 2s, ' the property of Robert Ross Pullar, contractor, of Port Molyneux. Similar charges were preferred against Raymond McArthur in respect of one 44gallon petrol drum and 13 gallons of petrol, of a total value of £4 4s 8d: Gordon Anderson Parks in respect of one 12-gallon petrol drum, one 44gallon drum and 25 gallons of petrol, of the total value of £6 6s 8d; and George Kirk Murray in respect of one 12-gallon petrol drum, one 44-gallon petrol drum, and 25 gallons of petrol, of a total value of £6 6s Bd. Constable Boyle prosecuted and produced statements made by the accused to the police. McArthur and Murray pleaded not guilty. Messrs Walter. Grigor and Kelly appeared for the accused.—After hearing the evidence, the magistrate said the information against Murray and McArthur would be dismissed Regarding the other two, Mr Grigor made a plea for leniency on account of their youth, and asked that they should be admitted to probation.—Constable Boyle, in answer to the magistrate, said the drums, which were worth £2 10s and 10s, had been recovered. —The magistrate said it was clear that the defendants could not afford to keep a car or to buy petrol, and they had been faced with the temptation to lake someone else’s. George Murray would be convicted and admitted to probation for three years, on condition that he did not own or drive a car during that time, and he would be ordered to pay 33s 4d towards the value of the petrol and 15s expenses. Parks would also be convicted and admitted to probation for two years on the same condition, lie was also ordered to pay 33s 4d towards the stolen petrol and 15s expenses. Driving Charges.—Gordon Mosley, Stirling, was charged with driving a car without a licence, with driving without a warrant of fitness, and with failing to produce a driver’s licence when asked to do so by an inspector. On the first charge the defendant was convicted and fined 40s, with jCosts (12s), and on each of the other two charges 10s, with costs (10s).—Samuel Winter, Greenfield,*charged with driving without a warrant of fitness, was fined 10s. with costs (12s). Civil Cases. Judgment for the plaintiffs by default was given in the following cases:—J. Fallowfield <Mr Walter) v. Joseph Thomson (Owaka), claim £5 5s 6d, for work done, with costs (£1 10s 6d); Wilson, Elliott. Ltd. (Mr Kelly), v. D. Renton (Pounawea), claim £6 12s, judgment for costs (8s). —No order was made in the case in which Kean and Weddell, Ltd. (Mr Walter), proceeded against Robert Durham Shaw (Ratanui) on a judgment summons, the claim being for £l2B 6s. OAMARU BOROUGH COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS The following committee reports and recommendations will come before the monthly meeting of the Oamaru Borough Council to-night for approval: Finance.—The Finance Committee reports a debit balance of £9559 7s 4d. and recommends payment of accounts totalling £1139 ss, and confirmation of payment of accounts totalling £BOB 8s 3d; that a grant of £5 be made to the North Otago Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: that the' North Otago Children’s Welfare Association be granted permission to hold a street day on December 6; that consent be given to the transfer of leases, T R. Berry to C. W. Dorward, estate Emily Ward to A. A. Hunter, and Shalders to Chalmers. Water.—The Waterworks Committee recommends after further consideration that Mr A. H. G. Brown be granted a water supply on the usual conditions and during the pleasure of the council at an annual charge of £6. Town Hall.—The Town Hall Committee reports that the request of the Little Theatre Society for the use of the Opera House on November 1 had been referred to the chairman. Works. The Works Committee recommends that, owing to the high cost, the petitioners be advised that in the .meantime the council cannot sec its way clear to form the upper part of Nen street: that no auction be taken with reference to the Oamaru Harbour Board’s letters in respect to the disposal of storm water from the eastern end of Test street; that the North Otago branch of the New Zealand Retail Motor Trade Association be advised that the council cannot see its way clear to alter the present system of purchasing supplies for motor vehicles; that the Oamaru branch of the Otago General Labourers’ Union be advised that the council considers there are no grounds for complaint in respect to the accommodation at th<i quarry: and that the curator and foreman confer and furnish a report on the damage caused by the roots of trees to the footpath and kerbing in Reed street.

Reserves. —The Reserves Committee recommends that the curator’s report on the avenue of trees in Thames street be received, and that the suggestions made be adopted; that Mr J. M. Murray’s application with reference to the planline of trees to provide a screen between the convenience at Orana Park and his residence has been referred to the chairman for consideration. ITEMS OF INTEREST IN AND ABOUT TOWN Civil Claims.—Judgment by default Was given for the plaintiffs in the following civil claims, heard before Mr H. W. Bundle,.S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning:—Para Rubber Company v. Townsend Bros.. £1 7s 6d and costs (19s); James M. Scott v. John H. Miller. £37 9s 8d and costs (£4 4s 6d); National Mortgage and Agency Company v. William John Galbraith, 15s and costs (Us); Dewar and McKenzie v. D. Marsh, £23 12s 5d and costs (£4 3s fid). AMUSEMENTS Majestic Theatre.—" Reaching for the Sun’’ is the attraction for to-night, and there will also be a matinee tomorrow. It is a comedy, and features Joel McCrea and Ellen Drew. Opera House.— The double bill to be shown to-night is headed by the film “ Double Date.” In support is a hilarious comedy, “The Villain Still Pursued Her.”