BREACH OF REGULATIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1932, Page 8

BREACH OF REGULATIONS

TAMPERING WITH POWER LINE. CONSUMER RE-CONNECTS CURRENT Edward Johnson, Mahoe, was charged at the Eltham Police Court yesterday that on August 19, without lawful authority, he tampered with an electric line, the property of the Taranaki Power Board. Mr. J. L. Weir stated that the defendant admitted the offence but the board did not press for a heavy penalty. They wanted to show, however, that the public must not do that sort of thing. The defendant had connected to the line and used power for over two months. Albert Edward Wilks, employee of the. power board, said that on June 6 he visited Johnson’s place to disconnect the power owing to a default. He removed the fuse boxes front both the house and shed. Some time later he was instructed to see what was going on at defendant’s place and he found that the fuse box had been replaced so as to give power to the house. Johnson was away at the time. He did not read the meter but reported the matter to the engineer. Wm. John Tristram, secretary of the power board, said that on June 6 he gave instructions to have the premises disconnected. Owing to a report from a trouble man some time later he sent a man to read the meter and found that current worth between £2 and £3 had been consumed.- No one could be connected without his authority, and no such authority had been issued to have Johnson’s place re-connected. Mr. Weir said that the power board had taken proceedings under regulation 230. It looked upon such interference as serious, and if it occurred in future the offender would Toe liable to a charge of theft instead of a breach of the regulations.

The magistrate said he proposed to convict and would defer penalty until an explanation had been received from defendant. This was an offence for which he did not inflict a small fine unless the reasons were good.

SWIMMING AT ELTHAM.

RESULTS OF CLUB EVENING.

The Eltham Swimming Club held a club evening on Monday, when the events included a water-polo match against Hawera, which was won by Hawera. At a meeting of the committee it was decided to apply for January 16 for a carnival. It was also decided to enter a polo team in the South Taranaki competition. The events resulted:—

25 yards junior: P. Shepherd 2s. 1, N. Glentworth ss. 2, W. Ware ss. 3. Time, 19s.

25 yards ladies’; V. Carncross scr. 1, M. Hilmer 3s. 2.

50 yards men’s: F. Maslin 2s. 1, R. Harrison 3s. 2, T. Horrocks 3s. 3. Men’s inter-club 50 yards:—First heat: A. Ryan 3s. 1, V. Spragg 4s. 2. Time, 36 3-ss. Second heat: I. Jobson scf. 1, L. Spragg 9s. 2. Time, 35 3-ss. Third heat: J. Oliver 7s. 1, N. Chadwick ss. 2. Time, 36 l-ss. Final: J. Oliver 7s. 1, I. Jobson scr. 2, -L. Spragg 9s. 3. Time, 38s. In the water polo exhibition, after an even and well-contested game, Hawera defeated Eltham by one goal to nil, M. Good scoring. On one occasion Eltham nearly goaled, the ball striking the post and bouncing back.

DEATH OF MB. MARFELL.

RECORD OF HOSPITAL SERVICE.

“With the death of Mr. E. Marfell on Sunday the board has lost a greatly esteemed member,” said the chairman of the Stratford Hospital Board (Mr. W. L. Kennedy) at the board meeting yesterday.

Mr. Marfell did extensive and valuable work during the 15 years he was on the board, Mr. Kennedy continued. Mr. Marfell joined the board in 1914 and served continuously till 1920, when he resigned to go on a trip to England. He returned and re-joined the board in 1921. During his whole period on the board Mr. Marfell gave great service to the community. His people did not want any public recognition of his services to be made, and there would be a private interment, but Mr. Kennedy said he could not fail to express sympathy with Mr. Marfell’s family.

The board passed a motion recording Mr. Marfell’s services to the community and the board’s sympathy with the widow and family..

MATAU DISTRICT NEWS.

DRAMATIC SOCIETY PARTY.

The Matau Amateur Dramatic Society held a bright party in the Matau hall,

when Miss Smaill was the guest of honour. The evening was spent in dancing, singing and games. Songs were sung by Miss Smaill and Mr. Edgecombe and both were heartily applauded. After supper Mr. A. W. Smellie bn behalf of those present spoke eulogistically of the services Miss Smaill had rendered. “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung. Miss Smaill suitable responded. The Matau school committee held an enjoyable evening for the children on Thursday. The local branch of the Worn

ten's Division looked after the supper arrangements, and with nut and lollie scrambles the children were well catered for. Several items were given by the school children, including a Christmas play entitled “Santa Claus.” Mr. W. Rawlinson in presenting the school prizes stated that the inspector’s report had been very satisfactory. Good attendance cards were won by Alex Rolfe, Dudley and' Norman Smith and Winifred McCoard. The special gardening prizes donated by the teacher were won by Alex Rolfe and Bruce Rawlinson. A children’s Monte Carlo waltz caused much amusement, it being won by Gwittha McCoard and partner. A doll’s pram competition in aid of the New Zealand Institute for the Blind was won by Master E. Moody. The Ladies’ Church Guild held its monthly meeting on November 13. Arrangements were discussed with regard to the forthcoming bazaar. The president, Mrs. H. Larsen, stated that the Ven. Archdeacon Evans and Mrs. Evans had consented to open the bazaar. This was received with applause. Acceptances to attend the bazaar were read from Mrs. C. C. Jackson, Dominion president of the W.D.F.U., and Mr. W. J. Polson, M.P. Afternoon tea was served.

Miss Marjory Jensen is in the Stratford public hospital. Miss N. Smaill is spending her holiday at Wellington. Mrs. L. Evans, New Plymouth, is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. E. Evans.