South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1927, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporters.) Telephone Ho. 2706, Hawera. P.O. Box 133, Hawera.

TROUBLE ON A FARM

ALLEGED ASSAULT ON LABOURER. 1 * DOINGS AT MANGATOKI. An affair at Mangatoki on Sept ember 26, when John and Hugh Wilson, two farmers, allegedly "beat William Oliver Biggar, inflicting grievous bodily harm and causing him to bo severely cut about the /ace and injured in an eye, necessitating medical treatment,'’ had its sequel in the Eltham Court yesterday, when Biggar sought to recover £29 9s damages from his alleged assailants. In addition a claim for £4 7s 6d, comprising one week’s wages owing to him, 130 s, a week’s wages instead of notice •and one week’s board, was made against John Wilson by Biggar on the grounds that he had been dismissed from defendant’s employ "without just cause, and ordered forthwith to leave the farm.” The case was only partly heard when the Court adjourned. Dr. Saunders, of Eltham, said he attended Biggar at 5.30 p.m. on September 26. Plaintiff had a wound threequarters of an inch long on the left eheek, a bruised left eye and other minor injuries. The cut required one stitch and the eye had received treatment. Biggar had been under his observation I for from 10 days to a fortnight since be | complained of pain in the eye. These had been a possibility of iritis develop- ! ing. There had been considerable force I in the blow which caused the injury. | The eye-ball had been cut. This could have been caused by a finger nail. i ‘‘GET OFF THE PLACE.”

The plaintiff said that prior to September 26 he was employed by John Wilson for five weeks as a farm lab- ■ ourer. On the previous evening he learn- 1 ed he had secured a position with the Eltham Dairy Company arid next day he gave notice to Wilson that he had : arranged for a man to take his place. Wilson said it was '‘unfair” of witness to leave him at that time. After "feeding out” witness went to cut a hedge and Hugh Wilson bad come down to him and said, "I hear*you're leaving; and why?” Witness told his questioner it was through hie using gome bad language to witness previously that he was leaving. Hugh Wilson then went further up the hedge and did some work, later going over to his father at the plough. At 3 p.m. witness knocked off as usual and went to the house. Wilson came out and asked what he was doing there at that hour of the day, witness replying: "I always come up at this time to get a cup of tea before milking.” Wilson replied: “You’re lazy; get to h off the place.” Witness said, "All right,” and went inside to pack up. When he finished packing witness went into the kitehen and asked Wilson for his money, his employer allegedly replying: “You'll get no money from me if it costs me £50.”

"PUNCHED HIM IN THE* JAW.” Witness returned to his room and rame back with his belongings a few minutes later. As he went out through the back door Wilson followed him. While he went to get his cycle he left bis bags near a fence and Wilson kicked him as he put his bags down. As the youth turned to.defend himself Wilson senior, witness alleged, punched him in the jaw and he slipped and fell down. While he was on the ground Hugh Wilson jumped on top of him, put one hand on hie throat and put a finger in his eye. Witness struggled to get up and Hugh Wilson rose and kicked him on the eheek bone, dazing him. When he arose he found both the Wilsons had gone. Biggar said that while he was on the ground he heard Mrs. Wilson call out

"Don't! Don’t!” Mrs. Wilson and her daughter were near him when he got to his feet and Mrs. Wilson had given him a cloth to wipe his face with. He left the farm shortly afterwards. Cross-examined, witness said he Lad shared a room with Hugh Wilson for some time but he had quarrelled once with him over his using some bad language before his sisters in the cowshed. He admitted that the matter had been reported to the police and he said he should have thought the police would have taken it up. “ALWAYS TALKING FIGHT.” Mr' Sheat: I understand, Biggar, you are one of those fellows who are always talking fight?—No. Mr. Sheat: You remember Constable O’Dbnoghue stopping you and West for not having a light ?—Constable O'Donoghue stopped West. Mr. Sheat: And you bad an argument with Constable O’Donoghue?—Yes. Mr. Sheat: What was it about?—He asked me what was my name and I returned the compliment to him. He said he would fix me and some time later I got a “bluey” from him for not having a reflector on niy bike. Mr. Sheat: And didn't you offer to fight the constable? —No. The Magistrate: Y’ou were wise! John Wilson said he had been in Mangatoki for 12 years. Biggar Lad been in his employ and when he told witness lie was leaving witness said "it was a bit sudden as he had engaged him for the season.” On the afternoon in question witness had gone io the house at about 3 p.m. and had a cup of tea with his brother. As they were finishing Biggar came past the window and said, "Can I speak to you, Mr. Wilson.” He asked if witness allowed his son to push his finger in his eye. replied "Certainly not.” Biggar said he bad a "scrap” down in the paddock and he intimated lie was "pulling out” that night. Witness replied that if he did he would go without any wages. Biggar went into the house and witness went out with his brother. He denied kicking and punching the youth or that he told him to get oft the farm. To Mr. Chrystal witness said Biggar had no .right to be at the house at 3 p.m. The case was adjourned until next Court day. <? • STOCK IMPOUNDED AT MIDNIGHT The offence of allowing eight bullock* to wander on the Stratford Opwnake Itoad on September 30 was |he cause of

L. Thompson, a contractor, being fined 10s and cost £1 0s fid, the Magistrate remarking that he was taking into consideration the fact that defendant had paid fl Ifis poundage. There was no appearance of defendant, who forwarded a written plea of guilty. Counsel for the Eltham County Council, said defendant’s bullocks had been impounded at Kaponga at midnight. Thompson had si neo left the county and, although his bullocks had been on the roads from time to time, that was the first information laid against him as he had been moving round a good deal. COLLISION IN ELTHAM STREET. CIVIL CLAIM SUCCEEDS. A fine of £o was imposed on Louis Gordon Martin, a fanner of Mangatoki, when he was charged at the Eltham Police Court recently for negligently driving a motor car with the result that it collided with Edward William James Nagel, also a farmer ia the Eltham district, and now employed at Hurleyville, who had been riding a motor-cycle along Bridge Street, on June- 215. A claim for £35 6s was made against Martin by Nagel at the Eltham Court yesterday, representing damages due' to Nagel by the other party who, it was alleged, had so unskilfully and negligently driven his ear as to collide with the plaintiff.

The ease continued throughout thje greater part of the day, the Magistrate giving judgment in favour of plaintiff for £35 13s, being the amount of the claim less £2 I3e which counsel withdrew. Costs were fixed at £5 19s fid.

“The accident occurred entirely from the negligence of th© defendant and there was no contributory negligence on the part of plaintiff,” said Mr. Tate. The only element of contributory negligence was that plaintiff, as he came down the street, had the opportunity of seeing the approaching motor ear a long way off, and he had not seen it, but he had seen the car before it turned. MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. PAST MONTH’S WORK. HAWERA COUNCIL MEETS, The Bowers Borough Council met last night. Present: The Mayer (Mr. E. A. Paeev), and Councillors E. Morrissey, W. Strange, W. G. Simpson, W. Reid, G. J. Bayley and W. Butler, The engineer (Mr. J. Sturrock) report: ed, inter alia: — “All the water mains in Nolantown are laid and the valves and the pressure regulating valve are in position. A little underground chamber Las been built for the latter to permit of inspection, adjustment and repairs. The castiron surface boxes are now ready for placing and are being surrounded with their eonerete blocks. The hydrant indi-

cators are placed and there remains little to do to complete the job. We are ready to lay house services whenever desired. The borough inspector reported as follows:—House inspection has been carried out in part of the High Street business area, Camberwell Road, Surrey Street and part of Disraeli Street, combining the council’s instructions regarding rain water to the sewer in the inspection. Of those inspected in the above streets only nine have storm water pipes leading to the drains and these are only from part of the roofs. Seven building permits totalling £1144 had been issued. There had been two flues under the by-laws and 12 motor drivers’ licenses had been issues. The sanitary inspector reported that, besides routine matters, eight milk samples were taken and one tin of whitebait seized. The librarian reported that eight new members had joined during the month, and 12 Lad left, leaving- 536 members, an increase of 26 ove last year. About 70 books were bought. Extra space would be needed very soon. The crowding together of different classifications was not satisfactory for the working of the library. The ranger reported that two- cows and one horse had been found wandering on borough s* ets. The application of the British Imperial Oil Company to instal an additional tank of 11,"30 gallons capacity was granted, subject to approval of the Explosives Department. The request of the Naumai Park eomn ittee for a supply of water for the lake was left to the engineer to report upon. The Boy Scouts were granted pel-mis-s' n to use King Edward Park on Labour Day, subject to arrangement with the croquet club. It was decided not to accede to the band co: mittee’s request for a light in the vicinity of the bandroom. It was decided to place a traffic dome on the corner of High and Wilson Streets. T’ i ranger reported that a fire had taken place last week in the TuruturuMbkai reserve. A chain of hedge had' been destroyed, and a number of pine trees scorched. With regard to the deputation from the Hawera cricket clubs which recently waited on the general committee relative to the Park cricket ground, when it was asked that the council have water laid on at certain points to be determined and that necessary pitches be prepared, the general committee recommended that the requests be granted, and the matters were again discussed last night. The deputation also asked that in view of future employment the council endeavour to appoint a man with experience. It was further asked that if the council was willing to grant the requests the clubs would increase their annual contribution to £5O. The request was granted, and the chairman of the Park and Reserves Committee (Mr. W. G. Simpson) and the engineer were appointed to carry out the work. It was decided, without binding the council, to generally approve the whole of ’the motor camp site scheme as requested by the Automobile Association and to coiiflrm the grant of £2OO.

AMATEUR ATHLETICS. HANDICAPS FOR TO-DAY. The following handicaps for this evening’s meeting, of the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club have been issued by Mr. L. H. Clapham: A. E. Gilliver, 120yde (7yds), 600yds (40yds); G. Shore, 7 and 45; D, Blair, 8 and 40: S. Lay, 9 and 45; z>. Hulbert, 9 and 45; E. V. Solomon, 10 and 50; L. Hunt, 12; J. Beauchamp, 12; R. Fraser, 12 and 55; H. Cannon, 12 and 55; E. Gimiett, 12 and 55; F. Gilliver, 14 and 60; R. Allan, 14 and 60; E. J. Insull, 14; D. L. Spence, 12 and 55; A. Rumball, 50-; S. Savage, 55. Hop, step and jump—A. E. Gilliver (scr), C. Shore (scr), S. Lay (2ft Bin), L. Hunt (3ft (lip). S. Savage (4ft 6iri), L. Hulbert (4ft Gin), F. Gilliver (sft), B. Cannon, E. J. Insull, E. Gimiett, A. Ritmball (all sft). Putting the shot—L. Hunt (ser), S. Lay (3ft), W. Ritter (6ft), A. E. Gill'iver. O. B. Cannon (6ft), F, Gilliger, E. J. insull, C. Shore and E. Gimiett (7ft Gin). The cycling handicaps announced by Mr. A. L. Palmer are:— Half-mile and one mile—C. Griffin (scr), W. Stenning (scr), J. R. Kelly 20yds and 40yds, R. Tippett 30 and 55, R. Runiball 35 and 70, R. Kelson, 35 and 70, J. Kelson, 40 and 85, C. Walker, 40 and 85, if. J. Tippett 45 and 95, G. Howell 65 and 110, M. Conway 70 and 130, C. A. Rouse 70 and 130. BULLOCKS ON THE ROAD. OFFENDERS HEAVILY FINED. The much adjourned case in which the Eltham County Council proceeded against Jack Wallis, a contractor, for allowing eight bullocks to wander on the Rowan Road on June 8, was finalised yesterday, w'hen the defendant appeared before Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., and was fined £4. Counsel for the Eltham County Council eaid the case had been adjourned for a month at a recent sitting of the Court to allow the defendant an opr portunity of securing paddocking for iris stock. Since last court day counsel said he had been instructed further by the county council that Wallis had made no reasonable efforts to obtain grazing. He had expected to obtain sufficient grazing for his bullocks at about Is per week. He seemed, said counsel, to consider the roads the only grazing area in the county.

'.Die defendant had frequently left the -district for short periods, and on these occasions the bullocks had been left on the roads. This had been-so once when lie had gone to the Wanganui races, andthe bullocks had remained in the pound for two days. Only a short time after they were released they had again been found at large. Complaints had also been received from farmers that the bullocks had been breaking their fences. Counsel asked for a heavy penalty in view of the number of times the defendant's bullocks had been on the road. Defendant said l.e had secured puddocking for a short time, but could not •get permanent grazing. 'The Magistrate, in imposing the penalty, said the bullocks "had to come off the road.” SOLDIER FARMER FAILS. —: * DEFICIENCY OF £29-40. "The condition of the farm was bad owing to blackberry and ragwort and the depreciation in value was such that 1 was unable to keep up the interest. The mortgagee (Crown Lande Department) forced me to surrender the property and sold up my stock and chattels.” Thus declared Frederick William Mace, who was adjudicated bankrupt on Iris own petition on October 11, in his jiersonal statement at a meeting of his creditors yesterday. Thd D.O.A. (Mr. R. S. Sage) presided and the Farmers’ Co op (Mr. H. E. Cressey) was the only creditor represented.

The list of unsecured-- creditors was as follows: Farmers’ Co-op .Society (Inglewood), £23 ss; Newton King, -Ltd., (Inglewood), £4B J2s 9d; Taranaki Daily News, £5; G. Gulgeon, £3 15s; Dr. McCallum, £4 4s; F. W. Scott, £2 3s; G. Mackie, £l2 10s; G. Drake, £6; A. B. Gamlin, £l5 (all of Inglewood), a total of £l2O 9s. The only secured creditor was the Commissioner of Crown Lande, New Plymouth, the amount of the debt being £5lOO and interest £6O (mortgage). The security was valued at £2400, leaving a total deficiency of £2040 9e. The furniture in his wife’s name was valuedat £5O. "I returned from the war In July, 1919, and took- up a farm of 150 acres at Kaimata in partnership with my brother, John G. Mace,” said bankrupt. “We had only about £5O between us, being financed by the Repatriation Department. Within • a year my brother left, but would not dissolve partnership, and I endeavoured te carry on by myself.

"Up till about two years ago I managed to struggle on, but in 1925 and 1926 I had bad luck with the cows, losing several. This threw mo into arrears with the interest to the department. Since leaving Kaimata I have been working on wages but as .1 cannot make any offer to my creditors I Lave filed. 1 have a wife and one child dependent on me.” MIXED BATHING CONTROVERSY DEPUTATION TO THE COUNCIL. J’e!lcw-;ng much public discussion. Misses A. Ballantine and K. Quinn waited cm the council in support of a petition signed by 57 ladies requesting a reversal of the decision of the baths committee as to the time-table proposed for the season on the ground that no time other than mixed bathing hours was allowed for those in employment. One and a-half hours were asked for on Wednesdays and Saturday and, if iKissible, early morning or late afternoon hours also. “A counter-petition in favour of mixed bathing hours, as arranged by the baths committee was also lodged, signed by 106 swimmers. A lengthy discussion was given to the matter 'and it was decided alter a division had been taken to leave the matter to the baths c-oaimittee with I power to act.

DEATH OF A PIONEER. MRS. HARRIET M. HARDING. After a long and painful illness, the death of Mrs. Harriet M. Harding occurred early yesterday morning at the residence at the corner of Beach and Manawapou roads. Mrs. Harding was born at Collingwood, Melbourne, In 1863, and came to New Zealand as a child with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Jeffries. After her marriage, Mrs. Harding lived for a number of years at Rarotonga, Cook Islands, where Mr. Harding was in - business. She first arrived- in- Hawera In 1900, and since then she had resided at Napier and Auckland. She returned to Hawera about three years ago. Her genial and happy disposition won her many friends wherever she lived. Her husband predeceased her 17 years ago. Four sons, Messrs. J. W. Harding (county clerk), George- C. Harding, James W. Harding and Lance W. Harding (all of Hawera), and four daughters, Mrs. R. Olive (New Plymouth), Airs. J. R. Addison (Waimana), Afrs. J. Alitchell (Devonport) and Mrs. W. A. Wilson (Hawera) are left to mourn their loss. GENERAL ITEMS. For riding a bicycle on the Rawliitiroa Road on Septemlier 24 with a light, a youth named Herbert Stanton, who said the cycle was a borrowed one, and "he iiad no excuse at all to offer,” was fined £1 and costs 10s by Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., at the Eltham Court yesterday. After several weeks ,of dry weather, which has considerably hampered the growth of grass, heavy showers of rain fell on Monday night and early yesterday morning. The rainfall will be very to farmers, but a much heavier fall is needed to promote growth in the pastures and. replenish the tanks:

“Wo are a little bit like Oliver Twist,” said Mrs. T. Tait, who waited on the Borough Council on behalf of the Park Croquet Club, in introducing a request that in addition to the borough furnishing and putting in order a new croquet lawn, the council erect an openfaced pavilion to provide shelter at a cost of £5O or £6O which the club would pay off* at the rate of £lO per year. The council promised to consider the matter. The Borough Council leaned back for nearly two hours last night receiving and considering requests made from three different depurations. The first was an application by a Wanganui firm to erect a- building on the corner of Princes and Riddiford streets, and to construct .an island of five ’benzine pumps. The second was a request for assistance to the Park Croquet Club, and the third was a petition in connection with the baths time-table. The road work in connection with the elimination of the South Road railway crossing, insofar as it affects the county council, was commenced yesterday, when four men were set to work excavating.