Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 12

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents.)

THEFTS AT OPOTIKI EMPTY HOUSES VISITED During the last month or two there has been an epidemic of thefts in Opotiki. Various sums of money up to £23 have been stolen, besides articles' of value. The thief, or thieves, appear to enter houses during the absence of the owners. DREDGING FOR DRAINAGE AKA AKA SCHEME A meeting of ratepayers of the Aka Aka Drainage District decided on Saturday by 24 votes to 20 to ask the board to adopt a dredging scheme above the cheese factory, the route to be via the Aka Aka stream to Mr. Hamilton’s farm. It was decided to suggest a loan of £7,700. WATER FOR WAiHI POSITION SERIOUS ) As the dry weather continues so the position in regard to the wate/ supply of Waihi becomes each day more serious. The reservoir, which has a capacity of 1,250,000 gallons, has only sufficient water to last another two weeks at the present rate of consumption. Since December 27 there has been a drop of 4ft 6in, and consumption decreases the supply by between two and three inches daily. If rain does not fall within the next few days, and in large quantities, the water supply will have to be rationed. PAPATOETOE BAND SEASIDE CONCERT The Papatoetoe Band, under Bandmaster G. de Clifton, paid a visit to Cockles Bay on Sunday afternoon, and gave a very enjoyable programme of musical items, comprising hymns, selections and marches, and their efforts were much appreciated by the large crowd which thronged the beach. A collection to defray expenses was taken up and showed a good credit balance. It is the intention of the band to continue visits to the seaside resorts. The next trip will most likely be to BuckBeach. SPORTS AT TE AROHA EASTER GATHERING An enthusiastic meeting of sportsmen at Te Aroha agreed to hold sports on Easter Monday. The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr. R. Coulter; vice-presidents, Messrs. R. L. Somers, J. C. Carroll, J. A. Hepburn and H. Willcox; secretary, Mr. J. Gumming.; treasurer, Mr. C. Morrison; handicapper, Mr. C. Morrison; judges, Messrs. R. McGuffog, T. Turner, S. Vernon; call steward, Mr. Reg Watson; committee, Messrs. E. Fitzpatrick, A. J. Burrows, F. Lockyer, R. Watson, S. Davis, S. Vernon, T. Turner, G. Lindsay, T. Godsbury, R. Woodroffe and R. McLean. CAR CAPACITIES WITNESSES OFFER OPINIONS In evidence at the Otahuhu Police Court yesterday, one of the defendants stated that, a Ford car in second gear, could not travel faster than four or five miles an hour. Another tried to impress upon the magistrate that a baby Austin, with four up, could not possibly attain a speed of 30 miles an hour—he was advised to buy a new car. Driving his evidence home with “you know,” at the end of each sentence, one of the defendants was informed by the magistrate that “I don’t know at all, I am trying to believe what you tell me.” At the conclusion of one of the speeding cases, the traffic inspector was congratulated by the defeated counsel on the way he “fenced” his questions. One hundred per cent, convictions is the record of the combined bodies of Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, and Manurewa against speeding motorists through their districts. PAPATOETOE PROGRESS BUSINESS ACTIVITY EVIDENT Improvement in business circles is being shown in Papatoetoe lately, and a general forward movement is anticipated in the near future. The appearance of the business area is greatly enhanced by. the block of shops, which is being erected for Walker Bros., and now nearing completion. Negotiations are proceeding for the sale of one of the most central business blocks in the town, where Mr. A. G. Fallfv'ell, of Tauranga, and late of Otahuhu, intends to open a chemist’s shop. Arrangements were also recently finalised for the sale of the business lately carried on by the Papatoetoe Meat Company on the Great South Road. TE AWAMUTU SHOW OFFICIALS APPOINTED At a meeting of the Te Awamutu Agricultural, Pastoral and Horticultural Association’s executive, it was decided, following reports by the executive, to ask the following gentlemen to act as additional judges:—Draughts, Mr. J. M. Baxter, Hamilton; ponies, Mr. Alex. Livingstone, Whatawhata; sheep, Mr. A. Bell, Clevedon. Mr. T. S. Davis stated that the prospects of staging a successful show of poultry were not encouraging, and it was decided to eliminate this class from the schedule. The question of including dogs was considered, with the result that several classes will be added to the list. The following stewards -were appointed:— Horses.—Messrs. S. A. Empson (head), T. G. Martin, J. Budge, D. Wallace, W. Middlebrook, and W. V. Walker. Cattle.—Mr. W. G. Macky (head). Jerseys: Messrs. W. J. Melville (head), Morrison, A. L. Johnson, A. E. Ray, and G. B. Melrose (blackboard). Shorthorns: Messrs. H. Mandeno (head), H. Allen, J. G. Sutherland, and G. Harris. Friesians: Messrs. H T. Hodgson (head), A. Bond, and H. F. Churches. Ayrshires: Messrs. H. Wellington (head), and W. McGee. Sheep.—Messrs. E. G. Humphrey (head) and S. Germann. Dogs.—Mr. W. H. Holmes. Calf Club Section.—Mr. G. S. Clarke. Weight-guessing.—To be appointed. Horticultural Section.—Left to commute to arrange for. Mr. S. A. Embson was appointed to take charge of the grand parade. Messrs. J. Turnwald and J. Layne to act as accommodation stewards.

DEATH AT HAMILTON MR. JAMES JACKSON The death is reported from Hamilton of Mr. James Jackson, of Claudelands. Mr. Jackson was born in Newcastle - on-Tyne, and came to New Zealand as a child. He was employed by the Railway Department, and later became proprietor of the Te Awamulu Hotel. For the last five years he has been in business as a land agent in Hamilton. Mr. Jackson was 48 years of age. SPEED BY-LAW HELD TO BE REASONABLE A defence of importance to local bodies was set up by Mr. T. N. Holmden, acting for the Auckland Automobile Association, at the sitting of the Otahuhu Police Court yesterday, when he attacked the by-law under which cases of “speeding” in the district were taken as being unreasonable. He stated that as no prosecutions had taken place against motorists travelling between 25 and 30 miles an hour — although the by-law definitely stated that 25 miles was the limit—showed, in itself, that the local bodies concerned, considered that 25 miles an hour was an unreasonable limit to uphold. Traffic Inspector Fletcher stated that up to the present, no prosecutions for travelling 26 or 27 miles an hour had been brought for the simple reason that they were allowing for a margin of safety in their times, and also the only vehicles that were “clocked” were the ones that they were absolutely sure were exceeding the limit. In a brief summing up. the magistrate stated that the motoring community should appreciate the margin allowed by the local bodies, and on the evidence tendered, he could only uphold the validity of the by-law. On being asked if he wished it to go before the Supreme Court, Mr. Holmden replied “Not at present.” OTAHUHU COURT - SPEED PROSECUTIONS Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., presided at the Otahuhu Police Court yesterday, when Andrew "Watson was fined 10s and ordered to pay costs 12s for failing to return part of military equipment valued at Is Id. H. G. Terry, for failing to notify the Defence Department of his change of address, was fined £1 and costs 12s, and for not attending parade £2 and 10s costs. Failure to notify the Defence Department of his change of address also cost W. R. Scurrah £1 10s and 12s costs. Samuel Ross parted with £4 and costs 12s for being drunk while in charge of a horse at Otahuhu. Procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order resulted in Hugh Roberts paying £ 1 10s and 10s costs. Gerald Massey assaulted William Earn© at Otahuhu, and threw him on the ground, damaging Williams’s wearing apparel. For this display of jujitsu Massey parted with £2, costs 10s and witnesses’ expenses, 10s. For failing to negotiate corners in accordance with the needs of the borough by-laws on two occasions cost Geo Turton a total df £ 1 15s and costs £l. Pillion riding on motor-cycles not properly equipped cost Alfonso Sorenson, Evan Charles Cotter and Edward Brent 5s and costs, and Hauko Kino and Cecil F. Jacobs 10s and 10s costs for the same offence. Carrying a woman passenger on the tank of his motor-cycle left Alfred John Haire poorer by 10s and costs 10s. For exceeding the speed limit of 25 miles an hour the following motorists were fined £2 and costs: David M. Wright, Richard A. Joll, Alfred John Edwards, Gordon Cooper, Gordon Edwin Logan, John Anderson, F. V. Pilling, Neil W. Louisson, R. A. Burrett, L. C. Dowden, Mrs. Nolan, G. A. Fitzgerald. Stepping on the grass still a little harder cost the following £2 10s and costs: John F. Stanley, Geo. “Wyatt, Henry Kinnear, Jack Abraham, W. J. Wilkinson, J. B. Dibble, G. W. .Trigg; while George Wyatt paid £3 and costs on each of two charges, and Norman Patterson on one. For hitting up over 40 miles an hour John Anedrson paid £4 and costs, and 41 miles an hour cost F. R. Kendrick £4 10s and costs. Having no lights on vehicles cost Charles Cuthbert and Louis Pfeffer 10s and 10s costs, and for driving a car without a licence Colin D. J. Campbell was fined 10s and costs 10s, and a like amount was debited against A. H. Good for riding a cycle without his hands on the bar. Desmond Gillard and Frank Wall, who were concerned in a motor accident at the junction of the Tamaki and Howick Roads were each fined £1 and costs 10s for negligent driving. George Hatham and George Whye were each ordered to pay £2 and costs in adidtion to three witnesses' expenses for using insulting language to some visitors to Otahuhu. As the result of an accident in Great South Road, Otahuhu, Gordon Atkinson (Mr. Dyson) was fined £2 and 10s costs, and in connection with the same affair, the charge against Geoffrey Todd (Mr. D. L. Bone), farmer, of Alfriston, was dismissed. PAPAKURA TOWN BOARD CONVICTING SPEEDSTERS The Papakura Town Board meeting was held on Monday evening, Mr. Jas. McCall presiding. The registrar of motor vehicles, Mr. Wm. J. Gow, wrote as follows: “That on December 27 and January 5 lists of numbers of motorcar owners that had been observed transgressing regulations in your district were received, requesting that the owners’ names and addresses be supplied.” “I am directed,” startes the registrar, “that a charge at the rate of 2s 6d an hour is to be made for the services of the officer of this department, whose time was occupied in compiling the information for your board. The total time occupied was 10 hours, for which I shall be pleased, therefore, to receive a remittance of £1 5s for services rendered.” A letter was received from the local actingpostmaster in the same terms, with the exception that the rate of charge is to be 2s 6d an hour in excess of 30 minutes of all time taken in compilation of the informtaion asked for. Mr. McEntee said as the police will not undertake the work of prosecuting speeding motorists, local bodies had to do it, and he would like to question the charge. The board resolved to reply to the registrar and request him to furnish the board with particulars of the section of the Act on which he bases his charges. The following recommendations of the Cemetery Committee were adopted: (1) The approaches to the cemetery gates be tarred and sanded, so as to be in keeping with the main drive; (2) a mixing board be provided for stonemasons inside the eastern gate, and a waterpipe fixed adjacent and a charge of 5s be made for each job; (3) a stand pipe be removed to more central and convenient position. A ratepayer in Settlement Road, who added a piece of piping to an existing water service in one of his paddocks without authority is to be prosecuted for infringing the by-laws. The engineer, Mr. A. Greville Walker, advised that the contractors are engaged on minor repair work on Great South Road, and that he pro-

posed to make a final inspection on Wednesday, January 25, at 9.30 a.m. In view of several important matters likely to arise, the board decided to adjourn the meeting till 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, so as to be able to officially deal with questions on the spot without further delay. Bathing facilities at Young’s Beach are to be improved by erecting a women’s dressing shed on the reserve and repairing the existing men’s shed, the cost not to exceed £4O. The foreman was instructed to carry out the work at once. A report on the w r ater supply stated that through!the continued hot and dry weather there had been a greater consumption of water. There had been an average of 195,000 gallons a day used, the peak reading being 255,000 gallons a day. ✓ The report states that the water was still running over the spillway at the dam. The filters have had another coat of bituminous paint and are in first-class order.