General Items

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 85, 15 August 1923, Page 2

General Items

For failing to appear when his name -was called as a common juror at tho Supremo Court at New Plymouth yesterday, W. H. Kerr, baker of Devon Street, wa f si finod 40s by Air Justice Chapman,

The Kaponga Dairy Company will pay out Is B.Jd per lb for butter-fat in respect of last season, with more to como when realisations of stock at Home are known.

"I don't caro about secret trials," said Mr Justice Chapman at New Plymouth on Tuesday when informing counsel that he did not encourage the m;;kitig of orders for the suppression of an accused person's name. There was a different reason applicable in the lower court, added.

At a meeting of the executive of the R.S.A. in Dunedin, strong exception was taken to tho pensions legislation, which compared unfavorably with the old Act. It was declared that the Government had simply rushe_d through a piece of window-dressing without giving the associations an opportunity to consider it. A resolution on these lines was passed, and also a resolution of determination to continue the fight for more equitable consideration

That a certain amount of power would be available from the Tariki hydro-electric scheme in about twelve months' time was the opinion expressed by Mr W. V. Harkness, chairman of the Tariki"j7airy Company and a member of the Power Board, at yesterday's meeting of the Tariki Dairy Company. It was the intention of tho board, said Mr Harkness, to instal a small plant to produce about 150 horse-power in tho Manganui River to supply the works with necessary power. If the Board used 50-h.p. there would be a surplus of 1100-h.p. available to the public. This power should hav© the effect of greatly reducing fuel costs at the dairy factories.

Empire Shopping Week as an all-the-y ear-round affair (says "The Wellington Post's." London correspondent) has been anticipated by at le«Bfc one grocer in Nou'th Loudon. Some time age he decided to specialise, as far as possible, on Empire produce, working up gradually to the position of a "British Empire Store," Already his patriotism and foresight are being rewarded. In butter alone, by substituting firstgrade New Zealand, and boldly labelling it as such, for other varieties, ho* has practically commandeered the local trade. The special advantage of this particular line is that it i* packed in boxes of 561 b, and thia grocer, at any rate, always has upon his counter a fresh, attractive sivpply of tho article.

Six yoxxng Indian boys, born iin Fiji, were recently sent hom o to India for a special course of training at the Agricultural College established by the American Presbyterian Missionary Society at Allahabad. An interesting account of this experiment was given at Auckland ' on Thursday by the Rev. W. A. M'Millan, of Kachwa, a village about 60 milos distant f'.'om Allahabad, states the -"New Zealand Herald." The American society, ho said, was anxious to improve the condition of the Indian rural population, and the s«x lads in question had been sent to the college the auspices of the Australian Methodist Association, for a two-and-a-half-year course of instruction. They passed through Auckland on their way back to Suva last week, and were going to teach improved agricultural methods to their countrymen in Fiji. Some pertinent observations on the case with which blank cheques can be obtaned wero made by the Grand Jury in the Supreme Court at New Plymouth yesterday after they had returned a true bill in the case of a young man charged with forgery and ut wring. "The Grand Jury desires to lay before tho Court," said the foreman, (Mr T. C. List), "the presentiment that, in issuing cheques to strangers, more care and discretion should bo exercised by tho business community. The jury feels that the indiscriminate issue of cheques to strangers is likely to encourage tho weak-minded and criminally inclined." His Honor Mr Justice Chapman said ho would havo tho remarks conveyed to the Minister, but lie thought that they could bo taken only as a recommendation from tho Grand Jury to the business community.

A novel excuse for not attending Court to answer a charge of assault was read by tho Magistrate (Mr J. It. Bartholomew) at the Port Chalmers Court on Friday. An aggressive female, it seemed, had mot an acquaintance in the street, and had a difference of opinion. Tho former had been summoned for assaulting the latter by striking her on the head with a stick. The aggres>sor was not present when the case was called, and was still absent whou the case was again called later. Her legal adviser was present and tendered a plea of "Not guilty." Tho Magistrate then said lie had received a note from defendant stating she had just had a hot bath (reports the "Otago Daily Times"). Tho impropriety of sending such letters was censured by the Magistrate, who, making allowance for probable igborance, proceeded to instruct the sorgoant to issue a warrant, if necessary, to ensure attendance at next sitting of the Court. The serroanfc said that the woman was leaving Uig country aooa,,

A special prize for being tfce mother of two sets of twins, all the children being under two year* of age, was awarded Mrs W. Landman, at the baby show held ito connection with the Auckland Winter Exhibition.

The aerodrome at Sockburn, Christchurch, has been taken ovor *%y the Defence Department irom the Canterbury Aviation Company as from 21st June, 1923, and will in future be known at the "Wigram Aerodrome."

The question of reduced passenger fares for New Zealanders visiting the British Empire Exhibition was discussed by the Canterbury District Committee, and a motion was carried asking the Government to make inquiries as to the chartering of passenger vessels.

At the Palmerston North Police Court on Monday before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., a further prosecution by the Railway Department for alleged negligence when passing over railway crossings when trains are approaching, was taken when John B. Millar was that on M-y 29, at Palmerston North, he did drive a motor lorry across the railway line at Cook street when such line was not clear. The Magistrate in /lflicting a fine of £5 and costs stated that this dangerous practice must cease.

The population of New Zealand 1 on March 31, 1923 (exclusive of Maoris) was 1,271,741. The excess of births over deaths, and departures ov*r arrivals' (including crews) was. 1258 during the June quarter, making a total of 1,272,999. The Maori population on June 30 is estimated at 53,665, Cook Islands and Niue, 13,375; Mandated Territory of Western Samoa, 38,100, making a grand total of 1,378,139. In each instance the males outnumber the females, and in the grand totals the excess is 29,915. At a meeting of the Waitotara County Council on Monday (reports the Star) a letter was received from Mr G. V. Pearce, protesting against payment of the Power Board rate. "I am forwarding my cheque," wrote Mr Pearce, "as I have not time to contest it. A local body that will agree to collect rates from ratepayers for something they do not want and not likely to get for the next ten years, are in my op!nion, not fit to be a local body." The acting chairman, Cr. R. Farley, said the Power Board struck the rate, and the council was compelled to' collect it. It was decided to reply reminding Mr Pearce of the fact that he was a member of Parliament in 1918 when the Electric Power Board Act was placed upon, the Statute-Book.

A resident of Dunedin was supplied for years with vegetables brought by one Chinaman, who gave entire satisfaction. The customer

moved to another house and notified the Chinaman of the shift, asking him to continue his calls (states the "Star"). He did not call, and the customer could not for a time make out why he kept away, till at last the explanation was forthcoming—to serve the new house he would, have to cross the tram line and thus intrude upon the beat of another Chinaman. The incident shows how the Chinese systematise their trade, also how they observe a point of honour.

The sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth commenced yesterday before His Honor Sir Frederick Chapman. Considerable progress was made in disposing of the cases on the criminal list. Sdney Qeorge Perrett, who had pleaded guilty in the lower court to making a false declaration as to his bride's age, was fined £lO. A sentence of three months' imprisonment was imposed on George Dines, who had pleaded guilty to bigamy! while he was also sentenced to ono month's imprisonment on each of five charges of having made false declarations concerning the birth of his children, the sentences to run concurrently. The jury found Frank Moffet guilty of having committed an indecent assault at New Plymouth on Juno 7 and he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with hard labor. The charges of forgery and uttering preferred against John William Howard Tapp are at present before the court, and the hearing will probably be completed this morning, after which Alan Lusk will stand his trial on a charge of indecent assault at Rahotu.