TEMUKA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18875, 13 May 1931, Page 12

TEMUKA.

R.S.A, The committee of the Temuka Returned Soldiers’ Association met on Monday evening. Present—Messrs Jas. King (president), H. Wilson, W. Oldfield, Geo. Paterson, W. P. Evans, P. Thomas, W. Spillane, A. W. Buzan, J. Maze, A. R. Beck and the secretary (Mr J. M. King.) The chairman welcomed old and new members, and expressed the hope that they would all prove a happy family. He thought they would have a fairly easy year, seeing that they had a Mayor and two councillors on the committee. (Hear, hear). Mr King concluded by hoping that as far as returned men were concerned as regards unemployment, they would receive a fair deal. The secretary drew attention to a paragraph in the “Herald,” from Masterton, in which a resolution entering a protest against the proposals of the Government to abolish the War Pensions Appeal Board, had been passed. The secretary said he had got in touch with headquarters and had received a reply, stating that that body had no knowledge of the proposed abolition. Mr Spillane said he thought the new constitution would consist of a Supreme Court Judge, sitting in each district, with a committee. Mr Splllane said that Mr Justice Stringer was the present head of the constitution, and he was sure Returned Soldiers’ Associations generally would not view any change in the Appeal Board with favour. He moved that the Association forward an emphatic motion of protest against any change, to headquarters. The motion was seconded by Mr Evans and carried. Mr W. E. Leadley (Wellington), wrote in reply to a letter from the Association requesting, through him, that an effort be made to secure a grant from the Canteen Fund for unemployment relief. Mr leadley thought it very unfair that Temuka should receive nothing from this fund, and he thought that the Christchurch executive would have contributed something from the Canteen Fund grant they had received. In a further letter Mr Leadley advised that the Dominion Executive had decided to grant £lO, which, with the £2O also latterly voted by the Christchurch R.S.A., would bring the total up to £3O. Mr Evans said tjie grant would do a good deal to assist returned unemployed men. He moved that Mr Leadley be thanked for his work on their behalf. The motion was seconded by Mr Wilson and carried. The South Canterbury Association wrote issuing an invitation to members to the re-union to be held in Timara on May 16. A member: “The first time we’ve had an Invitation.” The invitation was accepted with thanks. Several Associations forwarded reports and balance sheets for perusal. The membership ladder, forwarded by headquarters, showed Temuka to be twenty-fourth on the Dominion list, with a membership of 84. Mr Evans moved and Mr Buzan seconded, that Mr J. M. King be reelected secretary. The motion was carried. Mr Geo. Harris was elected to fill the vacancy thus caused on the committee. Accounts amounting to £l7/14/- were passed for payment. Mr Evans moved that it be a remit to the Dominion Conference that the Association’s financial year end, not on March 31, but on April 30 or any other date suitable. Mr Evans pointed out that March 31 was usually a very busy period for most business concerns, and that the proceeds from Poppy Day and the report of Anzac Day, were not included in the reports presented. The result was that the report, purporting to cover the activities of the Association during the year, did not actually do so. The motion was seconded by Mr Wilson and carried. Mr Evans was appointed the Association’s representative to the Dominion Conference, in Wellington, on June 23. Mr M. Houlihan was elected a new member. MAGISTRATE'S COURT. A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held in Temuka yesterday, before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M. No Light. f Harold James Tate, on a charge of riding a bicycle at night, without a light, was fined 15/- and costs 12/-. Civil Business. Judgment for plaintlfi by default was given In the following undefended civil cases:—J. Davis v. M. Teraki, claim £2/16/-, costs 32/6; E. Blackmore v. N. Gason, claim £4/14/3, costs 29/6; A. D. Cameron v. M. Greelish, claim £4/16/-, costs 23/6; Temuka Flourmilling Co. v. Thomas Sim, claim £l3/8/4, costs £2/16/-. Fine Imposed. Francis James Mcßratney was charged with (casting offensive matter in a public place on April 21, and was fined £1 and costs. While Prohibited. William Watson was charged that, on March 7, 1931, at Temuka he did enter licensed premises while prohibited; and further, on March 8 with procuring liquor while prohibited. Mr G. J. Walker appeared for defendant and pleaded guilty to both charges. Sergeant T. Dwan said on the evening of the day in question defendant and another person entered the Temuka Hotel, but were ordered out. Later, early in the morning, Watson had been seen under the influence of liquor. Mr Walker said that, as a result of the liquor he had taken, Watson had become involved in a charge of arson. He had been in gaol several weeks and had to meet considerable expense. He asked the Magistrate to view the charge lightly. The Magistrate said that, in view of the circumstances he would convict and discharge the defendant. Defective Brakes. William George Matheson was charged that, on April 2, 1931, at Temuka, he did drive a motor car in a negligent manner on the Main South Road. Defendant pleaded guilty. Sergeant Dwan said the defendant had knocked down a man and had taken 45 feet in which to pull up. If the brakes had been in good order the car should have been pulled up quicker. There was no suggestion of speeding. The Magistrate observed it was apparently a case of deficient brakes. To the Magistrate defendant said he was travelling at about 15 miles per hour. He had had his brakes attended to about three months ago. He had not seen the man, who must have walked out from the side of the road The Magistrate said the car brakes must have been very bad. Defendant would be find £l, with costs £l/5/-. Dismissed. On account of the information sheet

being Incorrect, a charge of driving a motor car, without having proper number plates attached, preferred against Edward Henry Smith, was dismissed. Sergeant Dwan said that the charge was one of driving an unregistered motor car. Defendant said he had had the car on trial, for about two months. The Magistrate pointed out the seriousness of the charge, stating that, if a person had been killed, relatives would have had no call on defendant, as the car was not insured. The case would be left to the police to issue a fresh information, if desired. Jockeys In Trouble. Two jockeys who visited a dance at Milford, over four weeks ago, and whose behaviour was alleged not to have been all that could have been desired, app/ared to answer charges as follows: Albert James Peart and George Henry Salt were charged that on March 20. 1931, they did use indecent language in a public place, to wit, the Milford Hall, while a dance was in progress. They were further charged with behaving in a disorderly manner. Mr R. Twyneham (Christchurch), appeared for the defendants, who entered a plea of not guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. William J. Seeler, Temuka, said he was at Milford Hall on the night in question, as M.C. Just after midnight a car load of men came to the hall. After that hour no charge for admission was made, and the men came into the hall, Peart and Salt being among them. Defendants commenced to molest dancers, walking about the floor while "square” dances were on. Witness requested them to behave, and later they were asked to leave the hall. Witness said that Mr Wheeler, chairman of the Hall Committee, had also spoken to the defendants. Salt said to witness: “You b cow-cockies round here have never been away from the district, and don’t know how to talk to us jokers.” Salt struck witness, and Peart also interfered, saying: “I’ll swing you round the rafters in the hall.” Usually, the dance would be finished about 1.45, but on account of the presence of . the defendants had to be closed half an hour earlier. Witness said that some days later the defendants had asked the committee to withdraw the charge, as they were jockeys and might lose their licenses. The police, however, went on with the charge. To Mr Twyneham, witness said the committee had been agreeable to withdraw the charge. One of the defendants, Salt, had since given £2 to the dance fund. There were several other jockeys at the dance also. Defendants did not say they had to fill in the hours till 5 a.m. in order to catch a horse train. Witness admitted retaliating when Salt struck him, by hitting back on the nose. Witness said it was improbable that the ladies would have heard the language alleged to have been used, which was not called out loud. To the Magistrate witness said he was speaking close-up to Peart. He did not think many people would hear the words used. To Mr Twyneham witness said only one or two men would havo heard Salt’s remarks regarding cow-cockies. The committee had had a lengthy meeting to discuss the case, and had no objections to the charge being withdrawn. Aaron G. Wheeler, Milford, chairman of the Milford Hall Committee, said it was obvious that the defendants had had liquor, but they certainly were not drunk. Sergeant Dwan: “How would you describe them?” The Magistrate: "Shickered?” Witness: “Just merry.” After the “set” had finished he heard Salt use bad language'. He thought he heard Peart use the language alleged to have been used by him. Some blows were struck, both by Seeler and Salt. Before witness locked the hall, the two defendants and another man approached witness and blamed him for causing the trouble. There was a knocking on the window and ’ when witness went to open this, he was pushed out. Salt attempted to hit witness when he tried to get back through the window. To Mr Twyneham, witness said he did not regard the offence as being serious. Peart had not been dancing. Witness would not be certain that Peart had used both words attributed to him. To the Magistrate witness said he had been about two yards from Peart when the words had been used. Peart had not spoken in a loud voice. Donald R. Ward gave evidence of a similar nature. To Mr Twyneham witness said the two men were about half drunk. They had brought a “keg” inside. walked around the hall and taken it out. He did not know to whom the “keg” belonged. To Sergeant Dwan, witness said his committee did not allow liquor at the dances. Mr Twyneham asked the Magistrate if the case could be dealt with under a special section of the Justices of the Peace Act, and dismissed as being trivial, a condition being that both the defendants make a contribution towards some charity. This Had been done in Christchurch. Mr Twyneham realised the defendants had a strong case to answer, but he would point out that they had never been in trouble before and were very favourably known in racing circles. A conviction would be a serious thing for them, as it was possible their licenses would be cancelled. He considered the cancellation of their licenses would be out of proportion to the nature of the offence. A summons had not been issued until over a month after the offence, and the committee had been unanimously in favour of classing the affair as trivial. The committee had given the boys an assurance they would endeavour to withdraw the charge. In answer to the Magistrate, Mr Twyneham said that Jockey Clubs were very particular as to the class of rider they allowed at their meetings. He would not say the defendants would lose their licenses, or that they would be suspended, but there was a possibility of such. The Magistrate said he could hardly agree with the committee that the ‘offence had been trivial from the point of view of the public. "One must remember that the committee might be under outside influence, ’ which the police and court are not.” he said. “We often say things to please others, which, in our own minds we don’t think are correct.” With regard to the second charge the Magistrate said it appeared as if one of the defendants used bad language, which to-day, however, was not regarded as being very indecent. He doubted if the second word alleged, had been used. There was no suggestion any words had been shouted, and this showed consideration, by the defendants, for the ladies present. The suggestion therefore, of indecent language, would be dismissed. In regard to the charge of disorderly behaviour, the Magistrate said this had been proved. It was reprehensible behaviour understandable only by the fact that both had had liouor. They had come from the races and might have had a win? Mr Twyneham: “They both rode winners.” Sergeant Dwan said the police had given the committee’s attitude every consideration. He pointed out that both men could have been charged with assault.

The Magistrate said the question was whether the man in charge was strong enough to put the defendants out, or whether the defendants thought they were strong enough to resist being put out. The Court could not look lightly, upon such an incident. He did not wish to be harsh, but said there was a limit to all horse play. He would enter a conviction and line each of the defendants £4 with costs. APPRECIATION. The Temuka R.S.A. at its meeting on Monday evening, decided to present Mr W. F. Evans (retiring president), with a gold returned soldiers’ badge, in appreciation of his services to the Association during his five years as president. The question was introduced by Mr P. Thomas, who said the matter had been referred to him by a number of people to bring up at the next meeting of the Association. Mr Thomas said it had been mentioned to him that Mr Evans was fully worthy of such an honour. Mr Evans said he had noticed a remit from the Waimate Association that past presidents and honorary members be given a medallion. Personally, he was not looking for such an honour, but thought that, as far as honorary members were concerned, the idea was a good one. They used to have a lot of honorary members, but now these had dwindled away. Mr W. Spillane said he did not favour the idea for honorary members, as he thought the Association should be able to “stand on its own legs.” The president (Mr Jas. King), was in favour of giving Mr Evans a small token of appreciation. He would like a motion in that direction. Mr H. Wilson then moved, and Mr Thomas seconded, that Mr Evans be presented with a small badge. Mr Evanfe briefly thanked members. HILTON M.R.C. The Hilton Miniature Rifle Club held its weekly shoot on Monday night, the trophy for the week being won by R. Cornelius in the shoot off with 79 of! the rifle. Other scores were G. SummerLeid 79, A. Cornelius 79, M. Leary 79, R. Meredith 79. A. Scott 78, B. Patrick 79, E. Johnson 77, W. Scott 77, W. Johnson 76, L. Beattie 76, P. Brenton 74, J. Beavan 74.

MINIATURE RIFLE CLUB. The annual meeting of the Temuka Miniature Rifle Cluo was heid on Monlay evening. Present—Messrs F. Smith (presiding), W. McGillen, E. Sherborne, V. Nicholas, F. Mitchell, T. Smith, F. Xing, A. R. Beck, T. Greelish, B. J. Hart and S. Webb. As the club was not in existence last year, the president explained that no annual report would be presented, but that the balance-sheet would show the assets of the club, against which there were no liabilities. Election of Officers. The office bearers were elected as follow: —Patron, Mr A, W. Buzan; president. Mr J. Bennett; senior vice-pre-sident’ Mr V. Nicholas; junior vicepresident, Mr A. R. Beck; secretary, Mr S. Webb; treasurer, Mr W. McGillen; committee, Messrs Sherborne, Mitchell, T. Smith, F. King, T. King, Bert Hart, and V, Nicholas; club captain, Mr T. Greelish; vice-captain, Mr F. Mitchell; armourers, Messrs V. Nicholas and W. McGillen; rifle testers, Messrs T. Greelish and V. Nicholas; judge of targets, Mr T. Greelish; handicapper, Mr T. Edwards; delegates to. South Canterbury Association and to Geraldine County Sub-Association, the president and secretary; Press steward, Mr B. J. Hart. General. Subscription fees were fixed at 5/for seniors (a reduction of 2/6 on the 1929 subscription), and 4/- for junior members (under 18 years). The meeting agreed that the secretary apply to the Defence Department for the use of the Temuka Drill Hall as the club’s range. It was decided that the weekly shoots take place on Wednesday nights. Wednesday, May 20, was fixed as the opening night, and it was resolved that the season comprise 18 shoots. New members -were elected as follow:—T. Smith, E. Sherborne, B. J. Hart, G. King, N. Salmon, N. Brown, W. Seeler and J. Ritchie. It was agreed that the handicap of the winner of any trophy be halved in the succeeding trophy match, NOTES. St. Joseph's Tennis Club will hold a dance this evening. During the evening cups won in the children’s tournament, and prizes won in the club’s combined doubles tournament, will be presented.

BASKETBALL. The first meeting of the St. Joseph’s Basketball Club was held last week in the Presbytery. Officers elected were:—President, Rev. Father J. Ainsworth; patron, Rev. Father J. Campbell; vice-presidents, Mesdames Earl, Beri. O'Connor, Manson, Hally and the Misses McShane, delegates, Mr W, Seeler and Mr V. J. Braniff; captain, Miss P. Dwan; vicecaptain, Miss M. Healey; secretary, Miss M. Spillane; committee, Misses M. Hannifin, K. Spillane and Z. Dwan. The uniform decided upon was a royal blue dress with a Haired skirt and piped with white. A blue band to be worn around the head was also decided upon. The first match will be played with the Temuka Young Women’s Club.