OTOROHANGA NEWS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4194, 9 June 1939, Page 8

OTOROHANGA NEWS

TOPICS OF THE HOUR. WEATHER CONDITIONS. (Our Resident Representative). | Warm rains have fallen in the i king Country during recent days. Last month was unusually dry, only .95 inches of rain having fallen on four days—the lowest recorded for seven years. Last year’s fall in May was 4.07 inches on 12 days. ACCIDENTS While playing Rugby last Saturday, K. Shearer, the Waitete Juniors’ fullback sustained a fractured collarbone. Another player, D. Jones, was mounting his cycle to return home, when he slipped and broke a bone in his leg. STREET ACCIDENT. Whilst Mr J. Sowerby, of Otorohanga was crossing the main street on Monday evening, he was struck by a ear driven by Mr D. Chaffey, and seriously injured. The injured young man was at once taken to a local private Hospital suff-1 ering from head injuries and concussion. He is now doing well. TRAFFIC CONTROL. The chief transport officer Auckland, has finalised arrangements for taking oyer control of all traffic in the Otorohanga Town District. Motorists parking in the main street of the town are not allowed ro continue diagonal parking and both inner wheels of their vehicles must not be more than two feet from the kerb. Parking parallel to the kerb | will be insisted on, and white lines will indicate the outside limit for parking. With the steady growth of motor traffic in the town, eonjestion has frequently occurred in the past, hence the new traffic regulations now to be enforced. TOWN CLERK APPOINTED. Out of numerous applications, Mr C. G. Coates, assistant Town Clerk, of Rangiora, has been appointed Clerk by the Otorohanga Town Board and he assumes his new duties on the 19th, inst. He succeeds Mr G. B. Davis, who leaves to take up a position in Auckland next week-end. z PERSONAL PARS. Mr Noel McColl, a prominent business man of Otorohanga, has gone to Te Aroha to commence a three months’ health recruiting holiday. After residing near Otorohanga for the past 22 years, Mr and Mrs P. Dowd are leaving that district to settle in the Northland. Friends will regret to hear that Mr A. A. Barker, of Kio Kio, underwent a major operation at a Hamilton private hospital, on Wednesday. Mr R. A. Johnston, of the Railway Department, Auckland, has arrived at Te Kuiti, to replace Mr I. Graham, who has been transferred to Kaikohe. Mr H. J. Norman, of the Hangitiki railway station staff, has received notice of his tranfer to Palmerston North. Mr J. Willison, who recently ’ retired from the railway staff, at Te Kuiti, was the recipient of a dinner set at an enjoyable farewell function in his honour, at the Railway Hall, last Saturday evening. TWO INQUESTS. DEATH OF YOUNG SPORTSMAN. At the Otorohanga Courthouse, an inquest was held before Mr Clive Tucker, district Coroner, into the recent death of Maitland Edward Lowther Prentis, who died as a result of a firearm wound, received while on a pig-hunting expedition in the Rangitoto Ranges, to the eastward of Otorohanga, on May 30th. Hugh Duncan Fraser, taxi-driver of Te Kuiti, stated, that after returning from the hunt the party had lunch in the car by the roadside. He said deceased had been using a .22 revolver, the property of witness’ father. A shot was heard near the car, and on looking round the deceased had fallen, and soon lapsed into an unconscious condition. He died before he reached Otorohanga. Turi Fraser corroborated the previous witness’ statement. After the evidence of Dr. A. A. MacFarlane, of Otorohanga, and Constable McDonnell, in charge of the Otorohanga Police Station, had been heard the Coroner returned a. verdict in accordance with the doctor’s evidence of death from massive haemorrage into the abdomen from an accidental discharge of a revolver. DEATH OF INFANT. Ev’dence of the native parents was taken regarding the death of Agnes Waitapu, aged two months. The Coroner returned a verdict that the child died of broncho-pneu-monia, as indicated by the medical evidence. EUCHRE AND DANCE. The fortnightly euchre and dance was held in the Pururu Hall, Rangitoto, when there were six tables of players and many dancers. The first prize for euchre was won by Mr and Mrs Stretch, while the consolation went to Mrs Waugh and Mr Warriner. The hostesses were Mesdames Stretch, Waugh and Miss O’Hagan, and an excellent supper was served. WOMEN’S DIVISION. The usual meeting of the Otorohanga branch of the Women’s Division of the N.Z. Farmer’s Union was presided over by Mrs Brown. It was decided to take the W.E.A series of lectures on “Famous Women.” Mesdames Pittams and Waugh functioned as the hostesses, and served a delightful afternoon tea. Mrs Brown won the Competition. CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN. Perry Bros’ Circus visited Otorohanga during the week and pitched their tents on the Island Reserve. Generous patronage was extended to the creditable Show, while the collection of animals created interest and instruction.