MUST BE STAMPED OUT

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1935, Page 7

MUST BE STAMPED OUT

BREAKING AND ENTERING INCREASING NUMBER OF CASES. JUDGE’S CHARGE TO GRAND JURY. FIREARMS POSSIBLY CARRIED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Feb. 12. Reference to the increasing number of breaking and entering cases was made by Mr. Justice Johnston in his charge to the Grand Jury at the opening of the criminal sessions. His Honour said that a crop of charges of this nature would come before the Grand Jury, and it had to be remembered that a great number of persons charged with this offence did not come before the Supreme Court except for sentence. “It is clear that this is a crime that is increasing, and it is important that it should cease, especially as we find that in one of these cases a man was actually in possession of a revolver and fired it,” said His Honour. “That man has admitted that he is guilty of breaking and entering, and he is now being charged with firing a revolver with intent to do bodily harm. “Another man is alleged to have broken and entered premises with a revolver in his possession. “When this class of offence gets to a stage where a revolver is carried it becomes increasingly important that it should be stamped out,” added His Honour. INGLEWOOD BOROUGH MONTHLY MEETING OF COUNCIL. NOXIOUS WEEDS ON RESERVES. The monthly meeting of the Inglewood Borough Council was held last night, when Mr. J. Gibbs (Mayor) and Councillors F. Spurdie, E. Crossman, E. H. Braybrook, W. G. Ladbrook and N. Peters were present. While the council was sitting as the Domain Board Cr. Spurdie said that he. had received complaints of sheep getting into the cemetery. The overseer stated that the sheep had been getting in through the fence from a nearby reserve and the fence had been repaired. Other fences on reserves were also receiving attention. Cr. Peters stated that he had brought up the matter of ragwort on property near borough reserves. Before the meeting he had gone over one of the reserves and there found numerous small plants coming up, while the property next door was covered with ■ ragwort, which was ripe and had received no attention. The town clerk stated that the inspector of noxious weeds had been over the property mentioned and had given the owner seven days’ notice to clear the weeds. Cr. Pe'ters said that even if the owner was prosecuted it, would be of no use as the damage had already been done. After considerable discussion a motion moved by Cr. Spurdie that the council send telegrams to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture pointing out the menace of the ragwort pest was unanimously carried. A deputation, from th- Inglewood Plunket Society, comprising Mrs. S. Judd and Mrs. Torrens waited on the council asking for financial assistance. Mrs. Judd apologised for the absence of Mrs. Wanklyn, the president. She said that the Inglewood branch had 90 babies on the books besides older children. The branch had to find at least £75 a year. The society asked 5s fpm mothers, but all realised that at the present time it was difficult for many to find the money, and Karitane products had to be given away. It was the intention of the society to hold a carnival in tne near future to try and raise funds, and if the council could help its aid would be greatly appreciated. They greatly appreciated the council’s allowing them free lighting. Cr. Ladbrook asked if it would not be possible for the Plunket Society and the Ladies’ Rest committee to combine. Mrs. Judd in reply said that the proposal had been discussed before, but the trouble had always been a suitable building, as it would be necessary to have separate rooms. After the deputation left the room it was decided on the motion of Crs. Braybrooke and Peters that the council pay £l3 a year towards the .rent of the Plunket Society room as from April 1 next, and that from hat date the society pay for electric light. Cr. Spurdie praised the work of the Plunket Society. The work done was purely voluntarily, he said, and. undoubtedly great work had been done among the younger folk. An application from Mr. J. Wilson to have the footpath in front of his business premises laid down in asphalt was left in the hands of the works committee with power to act. The council was of the opinion that in front of the entrance to the building heavy concrete would be needed. Cr. Crossman stated that he thought all agreed that the floodlighting r? the war memorial was a great success, and he suggested that the memorial should be cleaned. This was agreed to. Mr. H. Winter, overseer, reported that the work of cleaning footpaths and water-tables was proceeded with when time permitted. The patching of the main highways had been completed, and the shoulders of these streets would be built. up with screenings during the next few days. During the month 60 yards of chips and 56 yards of screenings were procured from the quarry and carted to the depot in Carrington Street. Twenty-five yards of beach shingle was procured from Mr. W. Thomason. The ragwort on the borough reserves was sprayed and the result was very satisfactory.

In his report the electrical engineer, Mr. Winter, mentioned that the number of units registered at the sub-station for the month was 46,300, against 47,300 units for the corresponding month of last year. Four light points, one motor and one heating point were installed. A number of repairs was attended to. The floodlight for the soldiers’ memorial had been erected and appeared satisfactory. • Mrs. M. A. T. Evans, librarian, in her report for December and. January, said that seven new subscriptions were opened and 13 were cancelled, leaving a, total of 189 subscribers. Forty-eight new books were purchased. Forty-two books were mended. She regretted to . state that two illustrated English papers were •taken from • the reading room table in the second week in January. Owing to books continually disappearing from the reading room the librarian was authorised to remove all illustrated books from the room before leaving the rooms.

Cr. Crossman brought up the question of people burning rubbish on the roads. He stated that one night this week he passed a house at midnight and outside on the road was a blazing rubbish fire. Cr. Crossman also drew the attention of the council to the number of. leaky taps in the town which greatly reduced the water pressure in dry weather. It was decided to make a house-to-house inspection. Cr. Spurdie suggested that the flow of water in the water-tables should also be reduced to help the water pressure.