SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 14

SOUTH CANTERBURY.

TIMARU. Social and Personal. Miss Kathleen Ulrieh, who was the guest of Mrs R. L. Orbell (Park lane) has returned to Dunedin. Mrs Charles Buchanan (Christehurch) is the guest of Mrs Thomson (Bidwell street). Mrs E. R. Guinness and Mrs E. J. le Cren (Evans street) have returned from Christehurch. Mr and Mrs Simon Mackenzie and Miss Jessie Mackenzie (RuinclilT) left for Christehurch yesterday. Mr and Mrs 11. W. Bullock (Auckland) have takeu a house at Maori Hill for six months. The Misses O'Mecghan (le Cren's terrace) have returned from a tour of the North Island. Mrs 0. S. Bruce (Highliehl), who lias been visiting her mother, Mrs Bowker (Christehurch), returned to Timaru during the week. ■ Miss Nancy Thomson (Bidwell street) returned on Tuesday after a holiday spent in Hawke's Bay and Christcliumi. Mrs Burns, who has been staying with Mrs Thomson (Bidwell street) returned to Dunedin on Wednesday. The Weather. Beautifully fine weather continued in Timaru until last night. The record frost so far this winter was experienced on Wednesday ".light, the registration yesterday morning being 10 degrees. Last evening u southerly sprang up and the sky became overcast. Magistrate's Court. Before Mr E. D. Mosley. S.M., yesterday, T'oter Mac Donald, Sportsman's Arms' Hotel, Saltwater Creek, was charged with exposing liquor for sale, keeping licensed premises open at'fer hours and supplying liquor after hours. On tho chargo of exposing liquor for salo defendant was convicted and fined £8 and costs, and on tho chargo of keeping licensed premises open ■ after hours was convicted and ordered to p-iy costs. The chargo of supplying liquor after hours was withdrawn by leave of tho Court. Thomas Ivor, Rodger Bee, T. TI. Richards and A. Brchaut pleaded guilty to being on tho licensed premises of tho Sportsman's Arms Hotel, Saltwater Crock, after hours, and were each convicted and fined £3 and costs. Z. Bcri was convicted and fined £3 and costs for failing to eloso his shop at tho statutory hour on Friday, April 29th. Overcrowding a Theatre.

Charges arising out of the alleged overcrowding of tho Theatre Royal on tho night of tho Sir Harry Lauder concert woro heard at tho Timaru Magistrate's Court yesterday beforo Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. Charges' woro laid against Hansen H. Fraser and "William A. Gunn that, being tho owners of certain premises known as the Thoatro Royal, they did allow a greater number of people to enter than was stated on the license. These two defendants were also charged with using the theatre without having first obtained a license. J. Vallanco was charged that being tho occupier of certain premises no did allow a greater number of pooplo to enter than was stated on tho license.

Mr L. E. Finch prosecuted on behalf of tho Timaru Borough Council and Mr \V. D. Campbell appeared on behalf of the joint ownors. Mr Finch said the informations were rather inconsistent in that no license had actually been issued, although the owners had paid tho usual feo of £l3 and had received a receipt-

Mr Campbell said no license had hern issued last year, and this year the Council was holding it back pending a decision regarding the regulation of scats according to prices. L. Freeman, General Inspector for the Timaru Borough Council, said that on the night in question thero were about, 200 people, exclusive of thoso on tho stage, who wore not in proper seating accommodation. He complained to Mr Peter Campbell, superintendent of tho Timaru Fire Brigade that there was a good deal of overcrowding. The firo escapes in some instances were completely blocked. The case was one of the worst that had occurred in the theatre.

After hearing further evidence his Worship said it was extraordinary that the theatre could be used in the manner stated without someone being liable. He would have to hold that the theatre was unlicensed and had been so for some time. Tho evidence satisfied him that Vallance had nothing to do with it. In regard to Fraser the facts were clear, and he was sorry he would have to deal with tho case in the manner ho intended. It was not tho fault of the owners t.hat the civic authorities had withheld the license, and ho was 'inclined to think that they had gone further than the law permitted. The owners had done all they could to secure a license, but under the by-law they should not have let the theatre. The defendant Fraser was convicted and fined £1 and costs, his Worship not considering it necessary to fine both j owners. The othe'r informations were dismissed. WOODBURY. The scholars of the Anglican Sunday School were treated to an enjoyable outing, in tho Domain and hall, and their teachers, Mrs Drummond Sharp, Misses Vance, Wooding and Mallinson, worked hard to give them a happy time with games, etc. Afternoon tea was dispensed in the halt. The "Woodbury Library Committee met this week, the following being present:—Mesdames Harris and McLeod, Miss Crawford. Messrs J. Cooling and H. Marks (secretary). It was decided to purchase another cupboard to accommodate about 300 boolcs. The committee also arranged to hold a series of euchre parties, commencing next, week. Prizes will be given and supper provided, and it is hoped that subscribers and friends will attend and make the evenings successful. The committee of the Ladies' Rifle Club met this week, the following being present: Mesdames Harris, McLeod and Baker, Miss Fileld and Mrs Marks. A letter was received from Miw J. C. Millar, accepting office and enclosing a donation which the committee accepted with thanks. Mrs Chisnall offered a trophy. A challenge has been received from the Orari Bridge Ladies' Rifle Club, and it is hoped that a match will be arranged shortly. At a meeting of the Men s Rifle Club Committee, arrangements were made for a match against the Four Peaks Club. It was also repoited that arrangements were complete for tlie men's club dance. Beckley's Band has been engaged and a successful evening i s anticipated. TEMUKA. The monthly meeting of the Board of Managers of the Temuka Technical School was held on Tuesday evening, Mr G. B. Cartwright occupying the chair. The chairman reported that the various classes formed were working very well. There were 16 pupils attending the wool-classing; building construction, for builders' apprentices, 6 pupils; carpentry, 10 pupils; dressmaking. 15 pupils: commercial work for adults. 12 pupils; and typewriting and shorthand for* juniors. 22 pupils. A

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class for millinery would be opened in a week or two. No ambulance class liad been formed this year owing to lack of pupils, and this was also the case with a cookeiy class. It was resolved to place on record the splendid service the late Mr Massey had rendered to the Empire and to New Zealand during his thirty years of political activity and thirteen yearn as Prim© Minister of this Dominion, and also to send a letter to the Hon. J. G. Coates congratulating him upon his appointment as Prime Minister, and wishing 1 im if successful term of office.

At •Tuesday night's meeting of the Borough Council, the Town Clerk. Mr E. 13. Cooper, tendered his resignation, to take effect at the end of August. The Mayor (-Mr G. B. Cartwright) said that Mr Cooper had informed him of his intention a few montlis ago, hut he had -oersuaded Mr Cooper to wait until the rate notices had been issued. Mr Cooper had been a faithful servant to the Council, and all would regret his resignation, and none more than the speaker. However. Mr Cooper had jilsfi passed the allotted span, and felt that he was entitled to some leisure in the evening of his life. The Mayor then moved that the resignation be accepted with regret, and that three months' leave of absence be given to him on full pay, dating from the end ot August/ Cr. Gunnion seconded the motion and eulogised the work of Mr Cooper, the remarks being supplemented hv Crs. Sinclair and Fenn. Itwas agreed to hold a special meeting pa dogt with the matter of a successor.