GORE NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 24649, 22 January 1942, Page 3

GORE NEWS

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

TUESDAY (Before Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M.) On a judgment summons J. W. Chalmers (Tapanui) was ordered to pay H. and J. Smith, Ltd., £4/1/2 forthwith in default five days’ imprisonment. J. W. Chalmers was also ordered to pay Mac Gibbon and Co., Ltd., £2/6/- forthwith, in default three days’ imprisonment. ■ Judgment was entered for the plaintiff by default in the following civil claim; Robert Craig v. J. Chalmers (Tapanui) for £l, costs 10/-. For riding a bicycle at night without a light William A. Macnee (Waikaka Valley) was convicted and ordered to pay costs 12/-, mileage 8/-. Thomas Edward Bishop (Gore) was charged with driving a motor-vehicle with trailer attached at a speed exceeding 35 miles an hour. The defendant, who did not appear, was convicted and fined 10/-, costs 10/-.. R. Calder (Mataura) and J. L. Dickie (Mataura) were proceeded against by Donald MacLeod, ranger, on charges of having illegal possession of opossum skins. The defendants were represented by Mi’ S. D. MacDonald, who entered pleas of guilty. The Magistrate said that as the defendants were going to lose their skins that would be a fairly substantial penalty. Each defendant was convicted and ordered to pay costs 10/—. The Public Trustee (Mr S. D. MacDonald) proceeded against Duncan Owen Sinclair for possession of a property and for arrears of rent. An order was made in favour of the plaintiff for arrears of rent amounting to £l2/5/6 and costs £4/3/- and for possession of the house on or before February 20, 1942. For disobedience of a maintenance order John Farquhar Mcßae was convicted and sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment, the defendant to be released on the payment of £l3/7/-.

PERSONAL Mr K. J. Windle, who has been attached to the staff of the Gore Rialto for the last five years, left Gore on Tuesday to enter a Royal New Zealand Air Force training school. Before his departure he was met by the staff and directors of the Rialto. The manager (Mr L. T. Cockerill) presented him with a cheque on behalf of the directors and a money belt and holdall on behalf of the staff. Mr Windle was also entertained at a social evening at the home of his parents, Mr and Mrs H. Windle, Main Street. Corporal R. Knowles, of the Tank Brigade, has returned to camp after spending a short leave with his parents, Mr and Mrs W. Knowles, East Gore. Mr R. G. Watson, who has been head master of the Gore Public School for the last five and a-half years, has been appointed head master of the new Pasadena Intermediate School at Auckland. The new school is expected to open in March, and Mr Watson will be taking up his duties then. LINES OF COMMUNICATION COMPANY Good progress has been made with the Gore Lines of Communication Company, which is part of the Army Reserve Transport, since its formation last September, and in the short time at the disposal of the officers an efficient unit has been moulded. This was demonstrated, when the A, B, C and Headquarters sectidns held combined manoeuvres to test the organization and to familiarize the drivers with the conditions under which they would have to work in an actual emergency. The unit, under Company-Command-er F. J. Townsend, carried out the manoeuvres efficiently, and the excellent planning was shown by the precision with which all of the tests were put through. Everything went according to schedule, and no mishaps occurred to mar the proceedings. The manoeuvres were carried out in the Gold Creek area, and they comprised an ambush of A section by B section, reconnaissance work by C section and the shifting of headquarters. It is understood that the Lines of Communications unit at Gore still requires the services of a number of drivers, and anyone desiring to join up is requested to communicate with the company commander.

EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS SERVICE

When the question of shelters was raised at a meeting of the Gore Emergency Precautions Service Committee it was pointed out by Mr F. Wallis that there was some confusion over the necessity for shelters. It had been decided at the last meeting that there did not seem to be any need for public shelters in the town, but that it was advisable for householders to dig their own trenches.

The chairman (Mr G. C. Hamilton) said that steps were being taken to secure 30 men for working parties, and that arrangements were being made to secure jacks and other equipment for the excavating work and removing blown up sewers and mains.

A decision was made that the secretary make inquiries about the possibility of a siren being secured. The Southland lighting controller (Mr W. H. Gregory) advised that the Dominion controller had appointed Mr D. F. Tait a deputy for the towns of Gore and Mataura. Mr Tait was appointed to the committee to act with the lighting controller. Mr C. M. Wilson reported that the chief wardens were dividing their areas into streets, half streets or groups of small streets and appointing one man for each. He did not think there would be much use in holding a trial blackout until such time as the people were told how to deal with it. Plans for the supply of sand to householders were under way. Mr I. W. Martin reported that the circulars dealing with air-raid precautions had been drawn up, and it seemed to be quite in order to have them printed and distributed. It was reported by Mr C. C. W. Clarke that petrol coupons were available for E.P.S. workers in the event of an emergency. Mr Clarke also reported that the transport units were now complete, and that men were available for assisting in any trial, blackout.

It was reported that satisfactory arrangements had been made about medical supplies.