LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Waipa Post, Volume III, Issue 143, 6 September 1912, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Talk carnival

The frontage of the local Masonic Hall has been much improved'by the removal of a hedge which formerly concealed the building from view.

On view at the Dominion- hairdressing saloon may be seen a suitably inscribed. bugle which has been presented to the Te Awamutu boy scouts by Mr G. M. A. Ahier. This very generous gift will be much appreciated by all interested in the boy scouts movement.

Tenders, called by Mr Warren; for the erection of the Catholic presbytery and two shops, close to-morrow. The time of closing of tenders for the presbytery has been extended to 10.30 a.m. Mr Warren will arrive in Te Awamutu at 8.30 on Saturday morning.

Service will be held morning and evening next Sunday in the Presbyterian Church. In the evening a sacred solo will be given by Mrs Battson, and 1 the collection will, be in aid of the Waihi church funds. The Rev. W. Woollass will conduct the service. „,.

The New Zealand Loa and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., give notice of the sale by auction' of the remaining sections of the Kawa township.. This sale will take place at the Te Awamutu sale yards oh Saturday, October sth. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns.

In th'e window of the Dominion hah-dressing Saloon are displayed the medal presented by Mrs Jackson and the trophy presented by Mr B. C. Wheeler for competition at the Gun Club's opening, day on Wednesday next. The match promises to be keenly contested, and should prove most interesting to competitors and spectators alike. *

Mr A. R. Bailey, who is at present the guest of the Rev. F. W. and Mrs Clarke, is a young singer of considerable promise. He has quite recently competed at Auckland against all comers, gaining two firsts and a third in. in the different classes for bass solos. It is Mr Bailey's intention to later pVoceed to Europe to obtain a finished training.. We understand that his services have been secured for the Paterangi concert this evening.

It has been decided by the mounted branch of the territorials (C. squadron) to hold military sports, including tent pegging, Lloyd-Lindsay, leading, and such like competitions on. Wednesday, 27th November. The main object of the sports will be to enable the staff officers from Hamilton to pick a team to visit Christchurch and take part in the military competitions to be held there early in January, 1913. Having regard to the fact that at the gymkana inßotorua last June C. squadron supplied the winners in no less than three events, namely, the Victoria Cross, fours over hurdles, and wrestling competitions, a very creditable display may be looked forward to at the local sports, and the Hamilton staff should have no difficulty in picking a really first-class team. A strong committee has been formed, and all arrangements will be left in their hands.

Very pleasant gatherings took place in the new Methodist parsonage on Wednesday afternoon and evening last, when the church members and friends throughout the district met to welcome the Rev. Lamond and Mrs Lamond to their new home. The utmost satisfaction was expressed at the very handsome building that had been erected, and in a short address the Rev. Lamond thanked all those who had been instrumental in providing him with such a beautiful home, and also those who had so kindly assisted in furnishing it. Afternoon tea was supplied by the ladies.

The inclement state of the weather on Wednesday last was responsible for the postponement of the official opening of the Waipa Gun Club. This was most unfortunate as the officers, backed up by the liberal assistance of the public, had catered most thoroughly for the enjoyment of all those who had intended being present. As notified to-day the Club's opening day has been postponed until Wednesday next and it is hoped that climatic conditions will be more favourable on that occasion. The ladies committee is busily engaged in making preparation for the afternoon tea and the general committee is arranging for an entertaining outing.

The management of Hay ward's pictures will give a special benefit entertainment at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening next, when one third of the gross takings will be placed at the disposal of the Town Board for the purchase of cutlery for use at the Town Hall. This.generous offer will appeal to all those responsible for eptertainments at the hall, more particularly by those who use the supper room. The lack of conveniences in both kitchen and supper room has all too frequently caused much inconvenience, and we cannot fail to appreciate the offer of Mr Hayvsfard's. management. We trust that their efforts will be appreciated, and that the public will heartily support the movement by attending next Tuesday's entertainment.

There are many in our midst who doubt the existence of our towns by-taws, .and, judging by the almost barbarous liberties taken, it would seem that' there are many who, even if aware that by-laws do exist, are bent on treating the rules of citizenship with contempt. We are led to make these remarks after having witnessed the persistent manner in which some people almost defy our local laws. "No person shall turn loose or allow any cattle to wander at large in any street or public place " is one of our most disregarded laws* but when people wilfully drive a vehicle or ride a horse oh to the footpaths, as has been done all too frequently of late, the wrong is intensified, and for the benefit of those people who so frequently do this we would point out that the by-laws give the local authority the necessary powers to take proceedings against offenders. -By remembering this, together with the Board's recent instruction to the police, a day of what might be termed " reckoning" can be avoided. ' In framing by-laws any local authority does not mean to rule with an iron hand; it trusts to the public-spiritedness of its citizens ,to maintain law and order, but for the protection of the /ratepayers' property byr laws exist, and can and will be enforced if required.

From Wednesday's order paper we have the following: —Mr AT itty (Riccarton) to ask the Minister for Lands whether he will this: session bring in legislation to stop the traffic going on with regard to the sale of Crown Lands ? [Note —In many cases the price paid for good-will is out of proportion to the value, and this must make it hard for incoming tenants.] The Hon. Mr Massey (Minister of Lands) replied: Representations are continually being made that Crown tenants should not be unduly interfered with in the disposal of their j lands. At the present time applications to transfer have to be submitted to the Land Board, aporoved bv it, and in some cases the sanction of the Minister is also necessary. If, as is now suggested, no transfer should be permitted where the amount of the goodwill is considered by the Board to be excessive, there would be numerous complaints from the parties to each transaction. I concur in thinking that trafficking in "•* Crown leases should be stopped so far as is reasonable and practicable, but in the case in question the remedy appears to be chiefly with the purchasers, who should not acquire Crown leases when the amount of goodwill is excessive. Should they deem it is reasonable, the Land Board and Minister'are placed in a very invidious position by declining the transfer on thcgrounds that the purchaser is misled, and that the amount of goodwill should be reduced. Such an attitude vould-tend to subsequent misrepresentation as to the actual . amount of goodwill. The hon. • member's representations will, however, be borne in mind.