CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1931, Page 8

CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

Telephone Nos. Stratford Exchange 552 Office 2220 Private

Telephone Nos. Stratford Exchange 552 Office 2220 Private

DIPHTHERIA AT SCHOOL

POSSIBLE OUTBREAK CHECKED.

THREE CASES AND 7 CARRIERS.

But for the prompt action of the Stratford health officer, Mr. A. E. Sayers, a serious diphtheria epidemic might have swept Stratford in the course of the next few days. It was learned on Auzac Day that thee children, all in standard 1 at the primary school, had been placed in isolation at the Stratford hospital suffering from diphtheria. Mr. Sayers communicated with the medical health officer for the district (Dr. R. J. R. Mecredy), who attended the school last Monday. There are over 40 pupils in standard 1, and in the first day Dr. Mecredy was only able to take “swabs” from the throats of 15 children. The seriousness of the position became apparent yesterday when it was found five of the 15 had returned positive reactions. The five were at once sent home and were paid a visit by Mr. Sayers, who gave instructions for isolation and treatment. To-day the tests- from a further 14 children will be known, and Dr. Mecredy will also finish taking “swabs” from the remainder of the class. Six other children in the class failed to attend vesterday morning, but these absentees are being visited at their homes and the state of their health will also be known to-day. . Meanwhile two more carriers of diphtheria have been found from the same class by private practitioners, so that already seven have been isolated. The isolated children will be visited regularly by Dr. Mecredy and instructions have been issued.for their strict isolation until they return two negative, results from ’the diphtheria tests. Up to yesterday evening there were seven cases of diphtheria in hospital.

ELTHAM GOLF MATCHES.

SHAW MAKES COURSE RECORD.

The final of an Eltham week-end bogey match resulted in a win for H. P. Wills 2 up. The presence of A. J. Shaw, golf professional, in the Eltham district during the past few days has caused much interest in golf circles. Shaw was the winner of the open championship last, season, when he established an Australian and New Zealand record on the Palmerston North links. During his stay in Eltham a match was arranged in which the champion played three members of the Eltham club —A. A. Stewart, H. Casey and J. Quin —and he had to produce wonderful golf to enable him to win 2 up and 1. The game was followed by 30 members and Shaw’s golf was a source of delight to them all. „ His round of 69 was a great performance, and established a course record.. Iho Eltham players did well but their opponent was too strong for them. Ont returned a 70 later. The handicap committee’s attention has been drawn to another player on a 20 handicap who caused a sensation by returning in a gross score of 78, he and his partner being 12 up oii their opponents at the 18th hole. He paid the penalty attached to this event.

L.G.U. MEDAL ROUND.

DRAW FOR’FRIDAY’S PLAY.

The following is the draw for the ladies’ L.G.U. medal round, to be played at Eltham on Friday:— Mrs. Wills and . Miss Wilson. Mrs. Morton and Mrs. Casey. Mrs. De Lauuay and Miss Wanklyn." Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. J. Quin. Miss Pease and Mrs. McGarry. Mrs. Wylds and Mrs. Hessell. Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. Leo Quin. Mrs. Stanners and Airs. Weir. Mrs. Haswell and Mrs. Saunders. Mrs. Crawford and Miss Gibson. Mrs. Luxton and Airs. Chrystal. Airs. Robertson and Mips Wylds. Mrs. Preece and Aliss Harcourt. Mrs. Gray and Mrs. McGregor. Mrs. Fisher and Airs. Treweek. ' Aliss Whiting and Airs. Darling. Miss O’Hagan and Miss Ritter. Aliss Brooker and Aliss Fissenden. The Eltham Ladies’ Golf Club opened its season on Friday, about 50 participating in the play, including members of the Hawera, Opunake and Stratford clubs. A foursome competition was won by Mrs. Leo Quin and Mrs. Haswell and a non-handicap competition by Airs. N. G, Luxton. The trophies were presented bv the captain, Mrs. J. Quin, who also extended a cordial welcome to the visitors and to new club members.

ELTHAM ATHLETIC CLUB. PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES.

Trophies won during the season were presented to the winners by the piesident (Mr. A. G. Whiting) at a dance on Monday night. Music was supplied by Mrs. Attrill, and extras were played by Miss C. Prince and Mr. Jack Sheehy. The hall was decorated in the club’s colours (black and white). _ Following are prize-winners.—Sprint events, M. Prince (30 points) 1, W. Whittington, and J. Whiting (7 points each) 2; field events, J. Whiting (24) 1, B, Horricks (15 j) 2; ladies’ events, N. Rowlands (25) 1, M. Rowe and R. Rcakes (13) 2; primary school events, boys, B. Thomas (13) 1, L. Voight (10) 2; distance events, S. Clare (0) 1, J. Whiting (7) 2; cycling events. —E. Tipler (22) 1, B. Lee aud K. Laird (8) 2; high school events, B. Horrocks (15) 1; primary school events, girls, M. Townsend (8) and L. Foreman (8) equal 1. KING’S THEATRE PROGRAMME. “PAINTED FACES.” I “Painted Faces,” starring the famous comedian Joe E. Brown, will be scieened at the King’s Theatre, Stratford, finally to-night. In “Painted Faces,” an original story written for the comedian by Frances Hyland, with dialogue supplied by Frederic and Fanny Hatton, Brown plays a clown acrobat. When Joe inns out on the springboard and turns several somersaults before he touches terra firma again and you know it isn t a double, the performance is extra thrilling. Though “Painted Faces” is reahy a circus story, Brown is first seen in the picture in a jury room, where he is discovered by 11 jurors who are dead positive that the man on trial is guilty or murder, as being the one who is for acquittal. Brown, it develops, has the best reason there could possibly be fore knowing that all the circumstantial evidence piled up damningly against the accused does not make him guilty, for it was he, himself, who killed "The Grea. Roderick”—and Roderick certainly had courted disaster.

ELTHAM FARMERS’ UNION

BRANCH’S ANNUAL MEETING HELD

CRITICISM OF THE GOVERNMENT.

The president, Mr. John Cocker, presided at the annual meeting of members of the Eltham branch of the Farmers’ Union on Friday. There was a fair attendance.

The chairman, in submitting the report, said there had been nine meetings during the year and lectures by Mr. C. D. Dickie, Dr. Annett and Mr. J, M. Smith. Although it was agreed to hold competitions in lucerne growing, grass management and hay and ensilage making, no committee had been set up. Referring to the Mortgagors’ Relief Bill, which had passed both Houses, the president said it was only a palliative and did not help the man who was unable to meet his interest, but only piled up liabilities to be discharged later wher the markets improved. The only thing it had done was to postpone the calling up of mortgages where there was a reasonable chance of the mortgagor making good. The president said land products were bringing less than cost in all countries and so the slump was world wide. The fall in prices was due to a shortage of money among producers, as the result of heavy taxation and war debts. America and France had immense sums of gold and this was probably the greatest cause of the depression. If gold was not circulated, trouble must follow. “Farmers’ costs are too high,” continued the president, “interest, tariffs and high wages, but the latter is not the greatest factor in costs. Easy borrowing in the past by Governments and private firms and businessmen has been a factor. The short dated loans of the farmers have been the trouble and often lead to farmers having to go off the land, losing the whole of the results of their hard work. If the depression should last two years a large proportion of farmers may be ruined. At present three things keep men on the land—the deposit they have paid, the improvements made and the personal covenant in their mortgage deed.” The president said he considered the farmer in the best position was he who had taken all he could out of the land and made his money so that the mortgagee could not touch it, whereas the man who had improved the' farm by top-dressing, extra labour, use of tools and implements and had thereby increased production and been an asset to the country had no protection from the State. The statement of accounts showed a credit balance of £ll 9s Bd, with capitation of ss. The expenditure included honoraria £lO, stationery £5, donations £2, hire of’‘room £3. Officers were elected as follow: President, Mr. John Cocker; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. Mehrtens and H. C. Belcher; secretary, Mr. P. H. Pease; committee, Messrs. Hardwick Smith, Mason, May, Silver, Simpson, Simmons, Hunger-, Wood, Bigham, and Pitcaithly; auditor,’ Mr. E. K. Cameron; delegates- to conference, Messrs. Mehrtens and Belcher. It was resolved that the next meeting be held on May 6, when remits for the conference would be discussed. Subsequently meetings will be called when important business is to be considered, x

INVOLVED CLAIM AT ELTHAM.

ATTACHMENT ORDER REFUSED.

Legal argument was heard before Air. R. AV. Tate, S.M., at the Eltham Court yesterday in the case originating, from an attachment order sought by Eltham Motors Ltd. (Air. A. A. Stewart) against moneys due from the Eltham County Council to E. C. Commerer, against whom judgment had been for £24 8s lid. The Eltham County Council was joined as sub-debtor in the action. Air. J. L. Weir admitted that there was the sum of £B3 owing to defendant by the county council, but dispute arose between the principals themselves. On behalf of defendant Mr. Chrystal objected to the judgment. Mr. Stewart contended that once judgment had been obtained defendant had no right to make an objection, but the magistrate held that debtor had a right to be heard. ( Evidence as to the contract for the supply of stone between the county council and the defendant was given by W. A. Tiplady, county clerk, wlw said that progress payments up to 75 per cent, of the value of the boulders delivered was to be paid from time to time as the metal was crushed. On this point Air. Chrystal contended that on November 4, at the time the previous action was brought, there was no definite amount that could have been claimed by attachment. Air. Stewart contended that an accruing debt was attachable and as far as defendant was concerned the money owing was definite. After adjourning for consideration of the points raised Air. Tate refused the application for the order to be made absolute. He held that the amount held by the county and owing to Commerer at the time, of the issue of interlocutory proceedings was not a definite sum. He therefore dismissed the application for an i order absolute. , ——— “MARIETTE” AT STRATFORD. When “Alariette” was produced in New Plymouth recently it was accorded an enthusiastic reception—and it deserved it. The show is an outstanding one. It follows no precedent in its construction, but, nevertheless, it contains every ingredient which goes to the making of high-class entertainment. Drama, comedy, thrills and music are harmoniously blended, and the artist is revealed in the manner in which the author has arranged his “curtains. - “Alariette” can be judged by no existing standard, for its sets a standard itself, and in the hands of an exceptionally capable cast it is an evening’s entertainment which an audience remembers with pleasure for many a long day afterwards. Included in the cast are such sterling performers as Aladame Veta Cornwall, the delightful singer, and accomplished actress; Mrs. Birch-Johnston, known throughout Australia and New Zealand as a polished comedienne; AV. Graeme-Holder, playwright, novelist and comedian, who wrote and produced “Alariette”; Elwyn Riley, charming solo danseusc; George Ovenden, talented juvenile lead; R. Richards, known to Stratford as a comedian, and in “Alariette” playing a part which might have been written for him; and dozens of other accomplished performers. Those who like a good show should not miss “Alariette” at the Stratford town hall next Saturday.

UNIOR FOOTBALL

SEVEN TEAMS IN COMPETITION.

FIXTURES FOR THE FIRST ROUND.

Junior and lower grade Rugby football competitions in the central division commence on May 14. The following is the draw for the first round, all matches commencing at 2.45 p.m.: First Juniors.

Thursday, May 14—Toko v. Stratford, at Stratford; Celtic v. Midhirst, at Midhirst; Inglewood v. Cardiff, at Cardiff; Pukengahu a bye. Thursday, May 21.—Toko v. Celtic, at Toko; Stratford v. Midhirst, at Stratford; Inglewood v. Pukengahu, at Tariki; Cardiff, a bye. Thursday, Alay 28.—10k0 v. Midhirst, at Midhirst; Stratford v. Celtic, at Stratford; Cardiff v. Pukengahu, at Pukengahu; Inglewood, a bye. Thursday, June 4.—Toko v. Inglewood, at Toko; Stratford v. Cardiff, at Cardiff; Celtic v. Pukengahu, at Stratford; Midhirst, a bye. Thursday, June 11.—Toko v. Cardiff, at Cardiff; Stratford v. Inglewood, at Tariki; Midhirst v. Pukengahu, at Pukengahu; Celtic, a bye. Thursday, June 18. —Toko v. Pukengahu., at Pukengahu; Celtic v. Inglewood, at Stratford; Midhirst v. Cardiff, at Midhirst; Stratford, a bye. Thursday, June 25.—Midhirst v. Inglewood, at Tariki; Celtic v. Cardiff, at Cardiff; Stratford v. Pukengahu, at Stratford; Toko, a bye. Third Grade. May 14.—Stratford v. Inglewood, at Inglewood; Celtic v. School, at School; Eltham v. Midhirst, at Eltham. May 21.—Stratford v. Celtic, at Stratford; Inglewood v. Eltham, at Eltham; School v. Midhirst, at Midhirst. May 28.—Stratford v. School, at School; Inglewood v. Midhirst, at Inglewood; Celtic v. Eltham, at Stratford. June 4.—Stratford v. Eltham, at Eltham; Inglewood v. School, at Inglewood; Celtic v. Midhirst, at Stratford. June 11.—Stratford v. Midhirst, at Midhirst; Inglewood v. Celtic, at Stratford; School v. Eltham, at School.

SEVEN-A-SIDE RUGBY TOURNEY.

A seven-a-side Rugby tournament open to junior teams in the central division will be held at Toko to-morrow. The Kerin Cup and seven miniature cups will be presented to the winners. Seven silver medals will go to the runners-up. The tournament commences at 12 o’clock and a refreshment booth will be on the ground. The coronation hall will be the venue of a dance in the evening. The following are the teams: — Stratford A.—D. Collins, R. Butcher, R. Watson, P. Collins, E. Blackmore, G. Irving, F. Collins. Stratford B.—T. Fawcett, N. Ruscoc, R. Stephens, Cresswell, J. Boyle, I. Bamford, S. Collins; emergencies for either team: Sullivan, Vincent, AlcPhillips, Vivian, Wellington, Kirkwood and Harkness. ■ Pukengahu A.—-J. Phillips, J. Walsh, Blackstock (2), D. Old, A. Bilski, J. Hills. Pukengahu B. —R. Goodwin, Death (2), B. Rowe, R. AVilmshurst, T. Phillips, R. Robertson. Emergencies: G. Harris, A. Harper. HUIROA SPORTS TO-MORROW. A full and varied programme including running, chopping and horse events will be presented at the annual sports at Huiroa to-morrow. A i added attraction in the chopping section will be the 12iri. Taranaki championship chop and the New Zealand single-handed sawing championship. There will be a refreshment booth on the ground and the Stratford Boys’ Band will be in attendance. A dance concludes the programme in the evening.

PLEA OF INFANCY RAISED.

MONEY DUE ON A CYCLE.

A claim for £B, the balance due for a cycle under a hire-purchase agreement, was made by I. J. Bridger (Air. A. Chrystal) against F. H. W. Norgate (Air. A. Coleman) at the Eltham Alagistrate’s Court yesterday. Plaintiff stated that he had sold defendant a cycle and received a deposit under a hire purchase agreement, the machine later being returned in a depreciated condition. Defendant stated that he did not want the machine. Subsequently, however, defendant said he would continue the arrangement and plaintiff, received from him £2 which he credited to a repair account. Ernest Percival Norgate, Rahotu, father of defendant, said that the defendant was 17 years of age at the time the contract” was made. The contract had been made without the knowledge of witness. His son had run away from home and had commenced working on farms at Awatuna and Kaponga. 1 In moving for a non-suit Air. Coleman pleaded the defence of infancy.' He contended that there were ample means of communication for defendant to go home without hhving to buy a cycle. Air. Chrystal submitted that a cycle was a necessary requirement for a young man on a farm several miles away from his people. He pointed out that there were no bus services on Sundays / when it would be possible for the youth to obtain time off. The magistrate, Air. R. AV. Tate, said he would give his judgment in writing. a ELTHAM THEATRE. . “SHE COULDN’T SAY NO!” The upper strata of society and the downward slope of Broadway s night life —a society belle in quest of a thrill a crook who tried te go straight, and a chorus girl who paid a fearful price foi a love she couldn’t hold, a combination of o-reat entertainment, and all in “She Couldn’t Say No,” showing at Eltham to-night. It is a musical drama that achieves the heights of comedy and plumbs the depths of emotion. AVinnie Lightner, that charming tom-boy of the “Golddiggers,” appears at her best. The story is good, and pathetic, but really human, and holds one right to the finish. There are two theme songs by AVinnie Lichtner in the course of the picture. They are, “A Darn Fool Woman Like Me” and “AVatching Aly Dreams Go By.”

ELTHAM SCHOOL COMMITTEE. NO ELECTION NECESSARY. Nominations for school committeemen on the Eltham school committee closed with only the required number, and the following have been declared elected: B. H. Goldsmith, A. R. Kemp, J. Phillips, A. E. Benefield, A. AVare, AV. Ricketts, J. A. Ryburn, E. L. Bigham and A.,W. Packard. Two members of the old committee, Alessrs. T. E. Trask and C. C. Stanners, did not seek reelection, and will be replaced by Mr. Bigham and Mr. Packard. PERSONAL. Air. J. Ryan left Stratford for Wellington yesterday morning to attend the funeral of his nephew, who was accidentally ehot. Airs. J. Gibbs, AVharehuia, entertained a few friends on the occasion of Air. Gibbs’ birthday last week. Those present included Air. and Mrs. P. Anderson, Air. McLaughlin, Air. Frank Brunsden, Air. and Mrs. P. Harkness, also Bill and Dick Harkness. GENERAL ITEMS. • Instancing the progress made by the Anglican church in Stratford, it was mentioned at the annual meeting last night that the number of communions had increased by 279 over the previous year, the number for the parish being 2188; as compared with 1909. The general offertories at Stratford had also shown a satisfactory increase.

A five-seater car driven by Mr. T. E. Trask, Mata, was proceeding from Bedford Street into Tayler. Street, Eltham, on Monday, and on the bend met in head-on collision with a similar ear driven by Mr. D. Clough, Inglewood, who had been visiting relatives. Mr. Trask’s car received extensive damage to the right front wheel and the front portion of the car, and the service of a garage wrecker was necessary to remove the vehicle. In Mr. Clough’s car the damage was limited to a crushed radiator and a smashed headlight.

Eltham will enter a team for the Dewar Shield competition at New Plymouth on Saturday.

As there is no sign of the dispute between the workers and the Public Works Department at Tangarakau reaching immediate settlement, a number of the men affected by the strike reached Stratford by train yesterday and dispersed to various centres. The men report that the camps at the flat and beyond are very quiet.

A practice for those interested in the revival of community singing was held in the Stratford town hall on Monday night. There was an attendance of 25, which testified to the interest being taken in the movement. Mr. Vincent has been appointed conductor.

The executive of the central division Rugby committee has been elected as follows: Messrs. P. R. Horne, Cardiff; L. Knowles, Toko; J. M. Stephens, Celtic; T. R. Bourkc, Eltham; H. Gush, Inglewood; G. P. Harkness, Midhirst. Representatives are to be nominated to represent School and Pukengahu. Mr. Stephens was appointed chairman.

The sum of £5 12s 6d has been subscribed to the Stratford earthquake relief fund by the Strathmore-Te Wera

branch of the Farmers Union, the list

being: A. Coyne, £1; J. Henderson, £1; Air. and Mrs J . AV. Manning, £1; Al. P. Ford, 10s; F. Brockway, ss; D, Dalgleish, ss; E. Blair, ss;. J. Yarrall, ss; 0. Frank, ss; J. Ryan, 2s 6d; G. Gernhoefer, ss; J. Alanning, 10s; total, £5 12s 6d. Receipts from Poppy Day sales at Eltham were £2O Bs—3s less than last year. The fortnightly dances of the Eltham Alanchester Unity will commence this evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, the proceeds being in aid of hall -funds. There will be both old-time and modern dances. Judgment by default was entered at Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the following claims: —I. J. Bridger v. R. G. Hockey, £6 10s (costs £1 Ils 6<T); same v. W. Hardwick, £3 (£1 10s 6d). On judgment sdmraonses F. \V. AValker was ordered to pay AV. G. Crozier £3 12s Cd, in default three days’ imprisonment; AV. A. Gower was ordered to pay the Trade Auxiliary Co. Ltd. £5 9s and costs 15s Gd, in default six days’ imprisonment. “At no time before during the 22 years I have been associated with the church has our position "financially ; and socially been so sound as it is to-day,” said Air. K. B. Fletcher at the annual meeting last night of the Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. Especially, he said, during the past two years had striking progress been made, due to the fine organisation of the various branches of the church.