SHEEP GIVEN FOR WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1933, Page 8

SHEEP GIVEN FOR WORK

BARTER AT TARATA. money shortage overcome. The shortage of cash has to a certain extent been overcome by settlers in the Tarata district, where a system of barter in payment of wages is in vogue between the settlers and Maori labourers. The ordinary accounts for food, clothing and so on, must of course be paid in cash, but casual labour is to a large extent being rewarded by “payment" of sheep, cattle or farm produce. The advent of the haymaking season was the prime cause of the adoption of this system; a' great deal of such work in that neighbourhood is pertormed by Maoris from a tribe which is settled close at hand, and the easy-going Maori is quite prepared to accept a sheep or two in lieu of wages ior a day’s work.

One farmer said that when interviewing the Maoris as to their charges for, cutting his hay he had been asked for 30s an acre. ■“I can’t find the money to pay for that,” he had replied. “That’ orright,” said the Maori spokesman. “We take anything—sheep, cows, pigs—anything you got.” Although in .this case the farmer decided that he would scrape up the money rather than sacrifice the equivalent number of sheep, the practice of barter in similar cases is apparently in general use. : Numerous instances were quoted showing the system that had been adopted by farmers in the district. GENERAL ITEMS. Proposed Lease of Town Hall. The Stratford Borough Council held a special meeting in committee on Monday night to consider a proposition for the lease of the Town Hall for the showing of pictures. The matter was referred to the finance and town hall committees for a report. Merit Recognised. Following the farewell to Sergeant Power at the Avon Bowling Club last night, a presentation was made by the president (Mr. H. L. Betts) to the holders of the Avon Stars (Messrs. Brown, Von Sturmer junr. and senr., and Clark). “I wish to make you a presentation for bringing the stars back to Avon,” said Mr. Betts. “The donor is anonymous,” he added, as from a cardboard box he drew four cardboard hats with elastic to go under - the chins of the wearers. The team enjoyed the joke as much as did the spectators, and did not hesitate to put on the hats. One member of the team rose to. the occasion with: “On behalf of Tom, Dick and Harry here, I thank the donor—he recognises merit!”

Heavy Goods Train. The train from the east was exceptionally’heavy yesterday morning, requiring two engines to bring it into Stratford. Some trouble was caused with one of the locomotives during shunting operations at one point of the journey, but it did not delay the train any appreciable time.

Bowling at Inglewood. The following will represent' Eltham in a bowling banner match against Inglewood, at Inglewood, to-morrow: Mumby, Pennington, Brown, Casey (s); Stanners, Best, Astbury, Jones (s); Linn, Marx, Johnson, Harrison (s); Franks, Bluett, Rowe, Clemow (s); Barker, Fake, Gower, Stewart- (s). . . Motor Cyclist’s Offence.

At the Police Court at Eltham yesterday G. L. Bourke was convicted and fined 10s and 10s , costs on each of two breaches of motor. regulations in the Eltham borough on January 2. Mr. J. T, Weir, for the Borough Council, pointed put that defendant went across a busy intersection with his hands removed from the handle bars in order to wave to some friends on the comer. Such action made possible a serious accident. That was one offence. The second breach was that of not having a proper silencer attached to his motor-cycle. The defendant pleaded guilty to both charges.. A Very Big Nuisance. Described by Mr. J. L. Weir as a very big nuisance in the district Wm. Pratt was charged at .the Eltham Police Court yesterday with operating a motor-car without' having a proper silencer. He was told that defendant possessed a small two-seater which could be heard a mile away on a calm day. He had not yet affixed a silencer to the car. Defendant pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined £1 and 12s costs. No Indication Disc on Lorry.

Reg. Curd, for whom Mr. W. O. Hill appeared, was charged at the Police Court at Eltham yesterday with not having a proper indication disc affixed to his motor lorry. The inspector said that defendant-had been warned previously. Mr. J., L. Weir said that although found on January 13 the disc was not yet attached. Defendant .was convicted and fined £1 and 10s costs.

Masterly Handling of Inquest. The careful and concise way in which Sergeant J. J. Power amassed and presented the evidence during the inquest on the skeleton of Donald Morrison was favourably commented upon at the end of the inquest yesterday by the coroner, Mr. W. L. Kennedy. Later he repeated his observations at the farewell tendered to Sergeant Power, who has been appointed senior sergeant at Hamilton, .

Thursday Tennis. The following Stratford team will play in a match against Kaponga to-mor-row: Hale, Boyle, Gaw, Harris, Sharrock, Hart, Mesdames Knewstubb, Hom, Ennis, Misses Best, Carman £.nd Sheehan. Judgment by Default.

Judgment by default was entered by Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court at Eltham yesterday in the following claim: Lenore L. Pulsford and Kingston L. Gibbons v. Albert Fletcher, £ll 7s. (costs £2 145.).