South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1927, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporter.)

Telephone No. 2706.

P.O. Box 133.

“ALL IS NOT GOLD”

“PAYMENT-STOPPED” CHEQUE. ACTIONS OF INSURANCE AGENT. As good as gold, in fact as safe as the Bank of England,” was the assurance given to John Elliott Norton, stablekeeper of Manaia, when a man named Wilkins, .who introduced himself as an - agent of the Australian Provincial Assurance Company some months ago and presented a post-dated cheque purporting to b e drawn by Jean Levings, of Manaia Road, for the amount of £27 6s. After making inquiries at the bank Norton agreed to cash the cheque for Wilkins, who allowed him 265, Norton immediately deposited the 'cheque with his bank, but he was next informed that payment had been stopped. After communication with the drawer of the cheque and her solicitor, Norton, unable to secure payment, took action against Mrs. Levings and the case was heard by Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., at the HavZra Court yesterday. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate said he had no alternative but to enter judgment for the plaintiff for the full amount, with costs £6 3s, and £2 12s 6d solicitor’s costs. The statement of claim revealed that the plaintiff claimed £27 6s, being the amount of a cheque drawn by the defendant on the Bank of New South Wales at Manaia payable to “cash” or bearer. • The cheque was presented by Norton, on September 25, 1926, When it was returned by the defendant’s banker marked “payment stopped.” The plaintiff also claimed 8s 9d as interest, bringing the total claim up to £27 14s 4d. The Australian Provincial Assurance Company was joined as a co-defendant, but after hearing legal argument the 'Magistrate upheld counsel’s objection and ordered that the name of the assurance company be struck out. “SAFE AS BANK OF ENGLAND.” John Elliott Norton, stable proprietor of Manaia, said on July 28 last, Wilkins called on him and cashed a cheque drawn by a one Eliason. This cheque was cashed, but on July 30 Wilkins again came and presented the cheque in dispute, which was post-dated. He said he would allow plaintiff 26s discount if he cashed the cheque which he said was “as good as gold.” The agent had assured plaintiff that he was doing a lot of business round the district. . The cheque was then passed in and counsel took a “stamp” objection to the cheque. The Magistrate pointed out that a post-dated cheque did not require an ad valorem stamp to make it effective. He held that the document was a cheque. Continuing plaintiff said he immediately lodged the cheque with the Bank of New South Wales at Manaia. On September 14 he received a letter from defendant’s solicitor stating that Mrs. Levings had stopped payment of the cheque and the cheque was subsequently returned. Plaintiff wrote to defendent stating that the cheque had been returned and unless it was honoured he would take immediate action. Plaintiff received a further letter from the solicitor whom he subsequently saw. On that occasion the solicitor explained that he was getting into touch with the assurance company and asked plaintiff not to take action until he heard from the company. Plaintiff refrained from taking the case to court for some time, but when no reply was forthcoming he had been forced to take action. Cross examined plaintiff admitted that his father had been interested in the insurance business in England but witness was not aware that an assurance company would not accept, a post-dated cheque on a life insurance policy. The agent had not endeavoured to insure witness nor had he heard any comment about Wilkins, who was in Manaia for about three days. Wit-, ness had cashed the cheque in question in the stables and Wilkins had said it was worth to him about 26s to have the document cashed. REPRESENTATIONS OF AGENT. Witness then went to . the bank a'nd said he had a post-dated cheque drawn by Mrs, Levings, asking if her credit was good. He,was informed that her credit was quite golf'd. Witness admitted that he could; have gone to see Mrs. Levings but he had been satisfied with the bank’s assurance. Wilkins had been an entire stranger but he had gone round the country with a man named Uncles, who was slightly known to him. Witness did not know that the discount allowed him amounted to between 25 and 30 per cent, interest per annum, nor had it suggested itself to him that Wilkins might have come, by the cheque dishonestly. The previous cheque had been for about £34 and Wilkins had allowed him £4 for cashing it, since it was also a post-dated cheque. Counsel: You were making a pretty good thing out of it weren’t you? Plaintiff: It doesn’t look like it. Continuing witness said he had faith in Wilkins as he had an expensive car and seemed to be doing good business in Manaia, . and “he seemed to be a decent fellow.’’ He admitted, that he found out afterwards that there was somewhat of a doubt as to Wilkins’ position and he admitted that he would not have cashed the cheque had it not been for the discount, as the cheque. was dated six weeks ahead. In reviewing the defendant’s position counsel explained that the cheque had been given to Wilkins on the understanding that it was not to be cashed until Mrs. Levings advised. Wilkins had, however, immediately cashed the cheque.

FARMERS’ UNION MATTERS. PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETS. The monthly meeting of the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held yesterday when there were present: Messrs H. Hodge (chairman), R. Dunn, D. M. Cameron, F. Aroa, J. Dakers, A. D. Johns, H. R. Wood, W. Lyndon, M. W. Barker, H. Thrush, W. T. Seed, J. T. Marx, W. McL’Dowie, H. E. Johnson, E. J. Betts, W. E. Carter, A. J. Haseltine, E. K. Cameron (secretary). A letter was received from the University of New Zealand advising in regard to the question of agriculture as a matriculation subject, that the matter would be considered when the Academic Board met in August next. The secretary reported that he had received a letter from the headquarters of the union requesting informAtig" >

cerning the mynah bird and its habits, and whether it was a pest in certain directions. He had replied that- “after making inquiries in this provincial district, it is felt that this bird cannot be deemed a pest. It is not purely insectivorous and shows a partiality for stone fruit, hut not to any alarming extent. Raw meat and tallow are favoured, but the bird may frequently be seen perched on the back of a sheep and evidently searching for ticks. As io whether the bird would attack the cattle tick we are not in a position to state. From some unknown cause, the minah is greatly decreasing in numbers and this is not peculiar to Taranaki.” A vote of thanks was passed to the Auroa branch of the union for their donatrop o-f £4 4s to the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, and for a donation'to the same cause Af £3 3s the Tokaora. branch was thanked. A letter was received advising that the next Dominion, executive meeting was being held, on May 11 and a request was made that any remits be in the hands,of the executive by April 25. The secretary advised that he had been in communication with the Dominion president with a view to arranging with him to address a meeting in Hawera on the same lines as his address at New Plymouth, but has not yet had a reply. The annual South Taranaki provincial conference was set down for May 19. DAYLIGHT SAVING BILL. OPPOSITION BY FARMERS’ UNION. At the monthly meeting of the South Taranaki provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday, a letter from the headquarters of' the union, requesting that the executive supply cogent reasons in opposition to the Daylight Saving Bill, led to considerable discussion. Mr. F. Aroa stated that he had had ample practical opportunity of judging of the success of the measure in England, where he had farmed for two years under daylight saving. In his opinion it did not affect the farmers disadvantageously, and he had been thoroughly satisfied with its working. He had practised it on his own account, and he strongly supported the Bill. Mr. H. Thrush, speaking against the measure, pointed out the hardships it would inflict upon children going to school. * Mr. R. Dunn said that under daylight saving the effect of the sun on the milk cans would be disastrous. Mr. J. P. Marx said that the measure would help to make farming conditions much more pleasant. As things were at present a farmer’s existence was “work and sleep.” In h£s opinion the reason why so many farmers’ sons went off the farms was that the life was not sufficiently attractive. “We will have to make farm life more attractive for the future if we are to keep the younger generation on the land, and the Daylight Saving Bill would enable them to secure some compensation at sports. Work was made for man, and not man for work,”" he concluded. Mr. E. J. Betts submitted that it depended largely on the farmers themselves or the person in charge of the working of farms whether sport was provided for. Mr. Marx contended that legislation was necessary to provide for such measures. In reply to Mr, Thrush, regarding the time of opening of country schools and the hardships accruing, Mr. Marx said the time of opening was fixed by school committees. Mr. Dakers said the Manaia School had commenced at nine o’clock for some time, and this was perfectly satisfactory. After lengthy discussion it was decided: “This meeting is opposed to the Daylight Saying Bill from the point of view of farmers.” ... THEFTS AT KAPONGA. NATIVE YOUTH’S LAPSE. Three charges of theft of money were against a young native, Pad Roia, aged 17, of Kaponga, at the Hawera Magistrate’s Court yesterday, accused pleading guilty to each charge, lie was convicted on all three charges and ordered to come tip for sentence at the next sitting of the court. Sergeant Henry said fho defendant had been working on Mr. Chamberlain’s farm at- Kaponga. On March 25 Chamberlain had missed £1 from his clothing, and again on April 3' he missed another £l. Constable O’Donoghue interviewed the accused, who occupied a room in his employer’s house. The native bad first denied faking the money, but had later admitted the thefts. Again on December 28 last the accused had taken £6 from the clothing of a fellow employee named Alois Ehrler. Accused elected to be tried summarily, and admitted his guilt. The sergeant said that the Child Welfare officer had. suggested that the boy should be admitted to probation and sent back to his people at Wliakatane. The magistrate said he was not prepared to do this on the,, spur of the moment. He preferred to hear the Child Welfare Officer on the question. As this witness was not available at that sitting of the court, judgment was entered as above to allow of this' evidence being heard at the next court sitting. USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE. NATIVE’S OFFENCE AT MATAPU. On a charge of using obscene language at Matapu on St. Patrick’s Day, a native, Peter Luke, was fined £1 (costs IDs), by Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., at the Hawera Court yesterdqy. Defendant chose to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded guilty. Sergeant Henry said the defendant had been passing the store at Matapu when the storekeeper t had spoken to him concerning an account for goods supplied to the defendant, who had thereupon used the language complained of. 1 : In pleading for leniency, counsel stated that the defendant was of good ch'ar-

acter, and was a member of one of the most respected native families in the district. The amount of the account was 12s, and the defendant, who was then on his way to catch the train for the Opunake races, had become somewhat enraged at the attitude of his questioner over so small a sum. Defendant ■ had made a frank admission of the offence, and had expressed regret that he had lost control of himself. NEEDS OF COUNTRY WOMEN. HELP FROM FARMERS’ UNION. AIM OF WOMEN’S DIVISION. A meeting of the women’s division of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday, when Mrs. W. E. Carter (president) presided over about 20 members. Mrs. Carter explained that the meeting had been convened in order to acquaint the country women and others interested in the movement of 'the women’s division. They were fortunate in having their Dominion president (Mrs. F. A. Polson) present to address them on the aims and objects of the. division in ■helping to better the conditions of women and children on the land. Mrs. Polson had published letters during her travels around the wo'rld, which had been most interesting and showed the amount of energy and time she had given to gathering useful information from other countries. Mrs. F. A. Polson traced the growth of the women’s division. Some people thought it was a mushroom but it was not; the seed had been well sown and the women were an undoubted force in the community. The organisation was merely the outcome of the trend of progress. The conditions for women and children in the backblocks were appalling, and it was there that the women’s division could and would become a force for decided good. The women’s division represented the first organised, effort to make life a little easier than it was under prevailing conditions for women and children who lived in the rural districts, and especially for those who were remote from centres of population. It was a fact that women (and with them children) who were courageous enough to live far back in the country were denied the comforts, pleasures, advantages and educational and medical services which were regarded as essential to the well-being of the wife and mothers, the family and the home. HELPING BACKBLOCK WOMEN. In cases of sickness and child-birth the help of nurses and doctors was most difficult—in some cases impossible—to obtain and the consequences were often disastrous. Too often in the country the mother had the greatest difficulty when her need was most urgent. If a woman who was tired and sick bad to remain at work until the last possible moment, both her own health and that of he» unborn child might be gravely harmed. Once the work of the women’s division was fully active it was hoped that the needs of the country would be met. A vigorous organisation in each district with substantial funds at its disposal, would keep in touch with farmers’ wives and with women who were available for temporary work in farm households, and then the worst trouble would be over. The care of maternity cases was obviously the most important duty that the women’s division could undertake, and its schemes included the provision of rest homes for women before and after confinement. "The general health of country families also demanded attention. The Health Department provided many country nurses for work among Maoris and numbers of urban districts had district nurses. Someone should provide “‘bush nurses” —women who could act as houskeepers and nurses capable of filling the mothers’ place in the home and of nursing ordinary cases of sickness. Herein lay the aim of the women’s division. The work was not, however, to be organised on the lines of charity, but rather an organisation of mutual help. The countrywomen would pay according to their ability for services’ received, though help would never be refused. . AIMS OF THE DIVISION. Shortly the aims of the ■women’s Division Werfe as follow: —(!) To strengthen the Farmers’ Union by cb-operation of both -country men and wonun; (2) to better the conditions of women and children living on the land; (3) to improve schooling for country children; (4) to improve the system of board for country children attending high schools; (5) to improve medical and nursing facilities for country women; (6) to secure more frequent medical inspection in country schools; (7) to secure, more domestic help on farms; (8) to obtain visiting help or housekeepers; (9) to provide rest rooms in country towns; (10) to improve conditions of migration; (11) to secure school books for children at cost price, (12) to inaugurate• and preserve “Farmers’ Union Sports Day”; (13) to promote the welfare of the home, country and the Empire; (14) to develop ‘“community spirit” and encourage the ideals of good citizenship; (15) to brighten the lives of all junior migrants to the Dominion, working on the land; (16) to endeavour to secure a home science department at the university and agricultural colleges to enable country women to receive instruction in useful subjects. Mrs. Polson said the slogan of the division was “Principles; no party,” “but if I had my own way, it would be 'Women for women every time,’ ” she concluded amidst enthusiasm. The chairwoman and Messrs. H. Hodge (chairman of the provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union) and L. H. McAlpine expressed thanks to the speaker for her able address. The following officers were elected:— Secretary, Miss Stewart; vice-president, Mrs. D. Cameron. Mrs. Hodge was appointed a member of the committee. METHODIST CHURCH MEETING. The quarterly meeting of the Hawera Methodist Church was held on Wednesday evening, the Rev. W. J. Oxbrow presiding over a good attendance of church officials and representatives. The chairman extended a cordial welcome to Miss Hill, superintendent of the Ohangai Sunday school and to Mr. Cat-* ran, as a member of the church trust. Reports for the quarter showed that the membership, returns were much the same as last year. Sunday schools and the young people’s departments of work continued to receive steady attention from the teachers and leaders.

Special collections for foreign missions and trust were authorised to be taken up during the present quarter.

Mr. F. A. Bates, financial secretary, presented the balance-sheet, which showed a satisfactory balance. The meeting resolved to forward letters of condolence and sympathy "to several friends who had recently been bereaved; and also to some who are ill. After the meeting, refreshments were served by the lady members. GENERAL ITEMS. For leaving a motor-car in Victoria Street without a lear light, on the evening of August 10, last, Arthur J Brouffh was lined 7s 6.1 (costs 10s). by Mr. J. S. Larton, S.M., at the Hawera court yesterday. Defendant stated that immediately prior to leaving the car the rear light had been showing and he was first made aware of the light being out when he went to drive away and a constable drew his attention to the fact. A \ I t 7 he . charit y ball lleld the Savoy on Wednesday evening, a Taranaki waltzing competition was held. There were ten entries, the event being danced in heats lhe winners in these were Miss I. Calder and Mr. Gibbons, Mrs Parker and Mr. Canty, and Mr. and Mrs’ Butler. In the final, Miss Calder and Mr. Gibbons were declared the winners. The judges were Mrs. Frahm and Messrs. P. Sheahan (Ohangai) and S. Tremain (Auroa).