GORE

Southland Times, Issue 23767, 15 March 1939, Page 15

GORE

37 YEARS’ SERVICE RAILWAYMAN RETIRES Mr John Jenkins, who has retired from the Railway Department after 37 years’ service, was entertained by Gore and district railwaymen in the Gore Town Hall, where there was a big attendance. Mr Jenkins was a signalman in the Gore boxes for 23 years. The opportunity was also taken to bid farewell to Mr D. Collins, who has been on the clerical staff at Gore for the last two and a-half years, and who has been transferred to Invercargill. Mr G. Smith, presided. The toast to Mr Jenkins was proposed by Mr W. Blackmore, who said that the service was unfortunate in losing such an efficient servant as Mr Jenkins. He had been highly regarded when giving service at Invercargill, and, although it was unfortunate that he had suffered an accident, which had impeded his progress in the service, his transfer had been Gore’s gain. “He is one of the best men I have worked with and that is saying a lot,” said Mr Blackmore. (Applause.) The toast to Mr Collins was proposed by Mr L. Brown, who said that Mr Collins had proved himself to be a thorough gentleman and an efficient officer. The newly-appointed stationmaster, Mr R. W. Jones, was introduced by the chairman and asked to make presentations to Mr Jenkins and Mr Collins. “When a man comes to the end of his career like Mr Jenkins has, it means a lot,” said Mr Jones. “He now has reached a milestone in life and it is a difficult move to lay aside one vocation. Mr Jenkins has a record that any railway servant can be proud of.” '(Applause.) Mr Jones then presented Mr Jenkins with a bronze fire screen and an ornamental vase for Mrs Jenkins and wished them luck in the future. Mr Jones also presented Mr Collins with a gold wristlet watch. In reply, Mr Jenkins said that he had always been interested in his work and any assistance he had given the younger members of the service had been because he well remembered the time when he was learning his duties. He would always treasure the memory of his happy association with the railwaymen at Gore. He regretted that he had ended his service as he had made many friends in the department. He thanked the members of the staff for the gifts. Mr Collins also replied. During the evening items were given by Messrs J. Walker, F. Hensley, R. W. Jones, L. Brown and R. M. Broom.

WINTER SPORTS AT PIANO FLAT

CLUB FORMED AT GORE In recent years the ski-ing facilities at Piano Flat have attracted hundreds of enthusiasts at the week-ends during the winter months. Several Gore and district enthusiasts, together with the Waikaia Welfare League, have been considering for some time the possibility of forming a skating rink and firmly establishing Piano Flat as . a winter resort: The area has been inspected and it is considered that a skating rink can be constructed in a natural shallow depression at a small cost, while permanent camping facilities can be erected for week-end parties. Considerable interest is being shown in the proposals in the Waikaia districts and at Gore and at a meeting of winter sports enthusiasts at Gore it was decided to form a club to be known as the Piano Flat Ski and Ice Skating Club. Mr J. Egerton briefly explained the objects of the meeting and stated that arrangements had been made for the formation of an ice-skating pond and that accommodation would also be available to members for week-ends at the flat. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr F. E. Olson; vice-presidents, Messrs B. Ostlund, J. Dennis, sen. (Waikaia), W. Bunting (Waikaia), and H. Smith; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. R. Barron; committee, Messrs J. Jenkins, C. Crawford, W. F. Egerton, A. J. Parsons and L. Smith. It was decided that the subscription be fixed at 10/6 a year. GOLF The annual report or the Gore Ladies’ Golf Club, which was adopted at the annual meeting of the club, stated that the membership at the end of the season was 50. A programme of weekly matches was drawn up by the committee and as a result of improvement in play there were several reductions in handicaps, while four members joined the silver division.

“Because of unfavourable weather only three matches were played with other clubs—Mataura, Mokoia and Wyndham,” stated the report. “The committee’s thanks are due to Mesdames Aitken and Fisher for the donation of trophies. Congratulations are extended to Miss M. Roggrs on winning the A grade championship and to Mrs G. R. Martin for her success in the B grade championship; also to Miss Rogers on winning a senior medal match at Otatara, Miss N. Paterson for winning a senior medal match at Wyndham and Miss K. Kirk for winning a bogey match at Roxburgh. This year the course was extended from nine to 12 holes, and during the season a competition was held for silver buttons. The final challenge match was won by Miss C. M. West and Mrs G. Mitchell. Closing day was held in conjunction with the men’s section of the club on October 1, and the trophies won during the season were presented to the successful players.” The following office-bearers were elected:—Captain, Mrs J. Brown; deputy-captain, Miss K. Kirk; secre-. tary, Miss I. Rhodes; assistant secretary, Mrs J. Ritchie; committee, Mesdames J. Ross, E. J. Crosbie, D. S. McLeod, Misses E. M. West and V. Fox. It was decided to start the winter season with a four-ball bogey match on March 23. MEN’S CLUB Following is the draw of the Gore Golf Club for a stroke match to be played this evening:—Edwards, Turnbull, Martin; Sutherland, Gladstone, Feast; Mitchell, Price, L. Barron; Aiderson, Osman, D. S. McLeod; Young, Milsom, Melville; Atkins, Reid, Walesby; Barsdell, Stevenson, Hunt; Cochrane, Aitken, Churstain; McCaughan, Olson, West; Tansley, Richardson, White; McQuarrie, C. Barron, Smith; Ritchie, Ward, Boyne; Clay, Crosbie, Taylor; Caldwell, McGregor, Thomson. CROQUET CHAMPIONSHIP The final of the Gore Croquet Club’s championship singles between Mrs G. McLeod, New Zealand champion, and R. W. McCreath was played in fine weather. The match resulted in a win for Mrs McLeod by 26-9. Mrs McLeod was successful in winning both lives and she won the championship without a defeat. In the play-off for runner-up McCreath beat Mrs J. Ritchie 26-2.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

MONDAY (Before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M.) Judgment was entered for plaintiffs by default in the following civil claims: E. R. Tutty v. James C. McDonough (Gore) for £3 2/6, costs £1 11/6; H. and J. Smith, Ltd. v. M. McDonough (Gore), for £4 5/4, costs £1 6/6; M. Gardiner v. M. McDonough (Gore) for £3, costs £1 6/6; R. J. Lindsay v. G. Pulley (Oiautau) for £3 4/7, costs £1 4/6; H. and J. Smith, Ltd. v. A. W. Yates (Gore) for 5/6, costs 13/8; E. Renton v. R. Renton (Clinton) for £l7, costs £1 14/-. On a judgment summons George Sullivan, of Gore, was ordered to pay A. A. Rose 17/6 forthwith, in default one day’s imprisonment. William Kiely, of Gore, was ordered to pay Jane Knoning £4 18/8 forthwith, in default five days’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended on payment of 10/- a week. The inspector of the Transport Department (Mr R. F. Hynes) proceeded against Brian Harland, of Bluff, on a charge of negligently driving a motorcar on the Invercargill-Gore State highway. The defendant wrote pleading guilty. . Mr Hynes said that he had noticed the defendant's car being driven very erratically. When he stopped the car he found that there were 10 persons in it. There were four persons in the front seat and the driver, who was jammed up against the door, had his left arm round the neck of a young woman. The defendant was convicted and fined £5, costs 10/-. Douglas P. Scott, of Dunedin, was charged with failing to keep to the left of the roadway while driving a motor-car on the Invercargill-Gore State highway at Woodlands. The defendant, who did not appear, was convicted and fined £l, costs 10/-. William J. Bews, of Winton, was charged with having a defective footbrake on his motor-car. The defendant wrote pleading guilty. The defendant was convicted and fined £l, costs 10/-. Gordon Noel Nicholls, of Dunedin, was charged with having no heavy traffic licence. The defendant wrote pleading guilty. The defendant was convicted and fined £l, costs 10/-. Foote and Co., Ltd. (Dunedin) yrere proceeded against by the inspector of the Transport Department (Mr Hynes) on a charge of having no vehicle authority on a transport vehicle. The defendant company was convicted and fined 10/-, costs 10/-. Hugh O’Neill Teller, of McNab, was charged with negligently driving a motor-car on the Mandeville-Rivers-dale main highway. The defendant wrote pleading guilty. He was convicted and fined £2, costs 12/-. Charles Mann, of Mandeville, wrote pleading guilty to a charge of attempting to drive a motor-car across a railway line when an engine was approaching within half a mile of the crossing. Sergeant J. Abel said the defendant had struck the engine of a train at the Balfour railway crossing. The car was badly damaged. The enginedriver had sounded his whistle on two occasions, but the defendant had apparently not heard the whistle or had not heeded it. The defendant was convicted and fined £2, costs 10/-. Brenda B. Hole, of Pukerau, was charged with negligently driving a motor-car on the traffic bridge over the Mataura river at Gore. Mr R. B. Bannerman appeared for the defendant and entered a plea of guilty. The defendant was convicted and fined £l, costs 17/-.

CHARGES OF SELLING LIQUOR Matthew Glucina, a fish merchant, of Gore, appeared on two charges of selling liquor in a no-licence area. Mr Allan Smyth appeared for the defendant and pleaded guilty to both charges. Sergeant Abel said the defendant was a fish merchant living at Gore. A constable had gone to the defendant’s shop and purchased liquor. The defendant had been before the Court for similar offences in 1937 and 1938. Mr Smyth said the defendant had been carrying on the illegal business of selling liquor, which was foreign to his nature. He was known as a very decent citizen apart from the selling of liquor. The whole thing was distasteful to the defendant who had given up selling liquor since the offences had been detected. The defendant’s business had suffered through the selling of liquor and for that reason he had stopped selling liquor. Mr Smyth said he could assure the Court that the defendant was not likely to sell liquor again. He asked that a fine be imposed, rather than a term of imprisonment. In reply to the Magistrate Sergeant Abel said that as far as he knew the defendant had stopped selling liquor. The Magistrate (to the defendant): I am quite certain you know the law as well as I do on this matter. If it had not been for the assurance given by counsel and the police that you have stopped selling liquor, you would have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment. I accept the assurance of counsel and the police. The defendant was convicted and fined £l5, costs 13/-, on each charge. CHARGE DISMISSED Dick Nobilo, a cook, of Gore, appeared on a similar charge. Mr Allan Smyth appeared for the defendant and entered a plea of not guilty. Constable C. G. Evans, of Dunedin, said he arrived at Gore on December 23 on special instructions to detect breaches of the Licensing Act. On three occasions he had gone to the shop where the defendant was employed and had asked for liquor, being refused each time. He met a man on the street and gave this man a one pound note. This man went to the shop and purchased a half bottle of whisky from Nobilo. Witness knew the defendant was the only one in the shop at the time, as he had seen Glucina go out previously. The witness had been staying at the Criterion Hotel and had seen the defendant go frequently to the room of the proprietor and then return to the shop. To Mr Smyth, the witness said he met the man in the street about the first comer north of the shop. He did not actually see the man receive the liquor. Henry William Tretheway said he had met the previous witness in the street about New Year time. He told the witness he had been trying to purchase half a bottle of whisky, but had been refused. “I told him I had not got whisky at the shop before,” said the witness, “but that I might be able to get it.” The witness said he went down to the shop and purchased half a bottle of whisky from a chap. He did not know the name of the person. It was not the accused. He was sure it was not the accused. The man who sold him the whisky was short, dark and thickset. He had never'seen the man before.

To the Magistrate the witness said he would not know the man again. The Magistrate: I am not sure you are giving me all you know. Constable J. Feeley said that with Sergeant Abel he searched the Criterion Hotel for liquor on New Year’s Eve. They found a suit-case, containing liquor, in the office. The de-

fendant boarded at the hotel and was employed by Glucina, the fish merchant. When they found the suit-case it was locked. The defendant was sent for and asked if he knew anything about the suit-case. He replied that he had never seen it before. He was asked for keys and replied that he had no keys. The defendant’s bedroom was searched and a small quantity of whisky was found in a bottle. The defendant had stated that he had purchased two half bottles of whisky from Gee’s hotel at Riversdale, together with a bottle of wine. The witness stated that the whisky produced was the same as found in the suit-case. Mr Smyth: It is quite a common brand, isn’t it?—Quite common in Gore. It is the only brand I have seen at Gore during the last few years. Mr Smyth: It must be good. Evidence was also given by Constable Fibbes, Sergeant J. Abel and James Kelly, licensee of Gee’s Hotel, Riversdale.

Mr Smyth submitted that there was no case to answer. There was the evidence of Constable Evans, which in the opinion of counsel, proved innocence rather than guilt. The constable had been refused liquor on three occasions. Then there was the evidence of Tretheway. That evidence showed definitely that the defendant did not sell the liquor. The Magistrate: If Tretheway can be believed.

Mr Smyth: If he is not to be believed the police are faced with the fact that he is a police witness. The Magistrate said the witness Tretheway had said that Gore was a very small place and most people knew each other. He had been in the shop on two previous occasions and the Magistrate was convinced that he knew more of the place than he had disclosed. It was possible that someone else had been in the shop, but not probable. The defendant would be given the benefit of the doubt on that point. About the liquor found in the hotel, he did not find sufficient evidence that it belonged to the defendant. The case would be dismissed. FINE IMPOSED Rugby McDougall, of Gore, was similarly charged. Mr Allan Smyth appeared for the defendant and entered a plea of not guilty. Constable C. G. Evans said he arrived in Gore on December 23. On the evening of December 24 he was standing outside the Regent picture theatre with a friend. He knew that liquor had been sold in the Regent billiard room. He went to the room and was introduced to the defendant. He asked the defendant if he had any beer he could sell him. The defendant replied that he had only one bottle left and it would cost the witness 2/-. Witness paid the defendant 2/- and left. The beer produced in Court was the beer he had purchased from the defendant. On December 27 the witness had gone again to the Regent billiard saloon and asked if the defandant had any more beer. On this occasion he purchased two more bottles. • To Mr Smyth, the witness said he had had previous experience in purchasing liquor in no-licence areas. He had no doubt about the identification of the defendant. At this stage Mr Smyth altered the plea to one of guilty. The defendant was not in the habit of selling liquor, said, counsel. His brother had left the beer in the saloon and the defendant had sold it. Mr Smyth submitted that it was an isolated case. The defendant was convicted and fined £l2, costs £1 11/-. DECISION RESERVED Robert John Stuckey, hotel proprietor, of Gore, was charged with unlawfully keeping a store of liquor in the Criterion Hotel for another person. Mr G. R Martin appeared for the defendant and entered a plea of not guilty. Constable Feeley said that on New Year’s Eve, accompanied by Sergeant Abel, he visited the Criterion Hotel with a warrant to search for liquor. When they got into the passage the defendant came from the kitchen to meet them. When asked if there was any liquor in the hotel he , replied “No.” They went into the office and found two suit-cases. One suit-case produced in Court, was found to contain liquor. The defendant was present and he stated he did not know who owned the suit-case. They searched room 19, where the defendant slept, and found a small quantity of liquor. When asked if he had any keys to open the suitcase the defendant replied that he had lent them to a man. Witness pointed out that the defendant had just opened his bedroom with keys. To Mr Martin the witness said that the bottle found in the defendant’s room was a big bottle. All the bottles found in the suit-case were half bottles.

Sergeant Abel gave evidence of having found the suit-case produced, in the defendant’s office. They went upstairs to the defendant’s room, where one other suit-case, the same as the one produced, was found. It was empty. The witness was there when the defendant told Constable Feeley he had lent his keys. When the suit-case was opened the defendant denied all knowledge of the liquor that was found in it.

Mr Martin submitted that there was not sufficient evidence for a conviction. He submitted that every boarder in a hotel could leave luggage in the office to be picked up later. The Magistrate said he had no doubts about the matter, but he was going to reserve his decision for further consideration. CHARGE OF THEFT A married man, whose name was suppressed, appeared on a charge of stealing a number of motor-car accessories, valued at £7 13/-, the property of James L. Cushine. Mr Allan Smyth appeared for the defendant and entered a plea of guilty. The defendant was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon, within 12 months. BAND RETURNS The Gore Pipe Band returned to Gore by the midday express yesterday, after competing at the contest at Christchurch on Saturday. The band was successful in winning a silver cup, in addition to several cash prizes. 1