MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19150, 5 November 1927, Page 15

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. PERSONAL. Mr W. S. McClymont, who has beon appointed secretary of the Marlborough Power Board, was presented with an electric coffee percolater by the employees of the Power Board, as a token -6f esteem. ',. Kangitata Traffic Bridge. In reply to a question at the County Council meeting yesterday, the Engineer (Mr A. A. Fooks) said it was proposed to hold over further repairs to the Rangitata traffic bridge until after Carnival Week, so that there would be no hindrance to traffic.

Chertsey Hotel Raided. As a result of a raid made by the Ashburton police on October 2nd, Edward Doyle, licensee of the Chertsey Hotel, was charged at the Magistrate's Court yesterday with opening his premises for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours, with exposing liquor for sale, and with selling liquor. MrE. Kennedy, who appeared for Doyle, asked that the last charge be taken first, and to this he pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant H. Martin said complaints had been made regarding Doyle, but if Doyle was prepared to conduct his hotel properly he (the sergeant) was prepared to withdraw the other charges. Mr Kennedy said that so far as the Court records were concerned, Doyle had a clean sheet. The Magistrate said Doyle had committed a deliberate breach of the Act and had taken a great risk so far as his license was concerned. A fine of £i with costs 12s was imposed on the charge of selling, and the other charges were withdrawn. In connexion with Doyle's case, Joseph Shelley, Samuel Plumb, and Kalph Baynes, all of Seafield, were charged with being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours. The Magistrate said that the men were just as guilty as the hotelkeeper, and had he the power to do so he would make the fine the same as in the case of Doyle. He was limited to a fine of £2, which would be imposed, with costs 12s.

Cricket Club's Dance. St. Stephen's Cricket Club held a successful dance in the Orange Hall on Thursday evening, there being an attendance of about 100 couples. A Monto Carlo waltz was won by Mr F. Crowe, and Miss Paget. Mrs A. Mitchell's orchestra supplied the music, extras being played by Miss K. Ibell. and Mr S. M. Cassidy. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Messrs W. Mayson and W. Patching.

Lodge Dance. About 50 couples attended a dance conducted by the Daphne (Kebekah) Lodge, 1.0.0. F., in the Tancred street Hall on Thursday evening. Lennall's Orchestra (Methven) supplied the music and Mr A. Moore was M.C.

Magistrate's Court. Mr C. E. Orr Walker, S.M., presided over the sitting of the Ashburton Magistrate 's Court yesterday. James Oliver Scott, of Ashburton, was charged with selling liquor in the nolicense district of Ashburton, and with being" an" idle and disorderly person in

that he had no lawful means of support. Mr Cracroft Wilson appeared for Scott, and pleaded not guilty. John Hunt, a butcher, said that on October 15th, Conßtablo White saw him in Cass street, and paid him 2Ss. Witness.nest saw the defendant, and asked him for a drink. Scott replied in the affirmative, and witness later went to Scott's residence in Peter street, and received half a bottle, of whisky from defendant for 10s. Constable White' afterwards came on the scene, and witness admitted having bought the liqour. Constable A. C. White said that he paid Hunt £1 Bs, in Sutherland's shop. Witness later saw Hunt ride into Scott's gate. Hunt had a small parcel which certanily did not contain a bottle. Witness watched Scott's house for about 10 minutes and Hunt came out. He followed Hunt, who handed witness a bottle half full of whisky. On Scott's premises being raided he first said he had no liquor, but later said he had, and handed over a half bottle of whisky, to the police. Scott said the bottle handed, over to the police had been in his home for about five weeks. He had taken some of the whisky for his influenza. Mr Walker said he was always willing to help a man and he proposed to convict Scott, and place him on probation.for twelve months. In addition to the ordinary conditions' of his probation order, Scott was banished from all no-license areas for the period, except with" special permission. A prohibition order was issued against Scott. The other charge was withdrawn. Judgment for plaintiff by default was given in the case of Wright Stephenson and Co., Ltd. v. George Chambers claim £7O 4s 9d, with costs £4 los. Leslie G. Millichamp, James. Holland, and Robert Shearman were each fined 10s for. riding motor-cycles, without silencers.

For riding cycles after hours without lights, Albert Johns, Arnold Houston, Laurence Booke, Jack Donaldson, Jack Graves, David Osborne, Daisy Bramley, Robert W. Wade, and Hugh Clark were each fined 10s. Albert E. Martin was fined 10s for riding on a footpath. James Oliver Scott and William Higgins were jointly charged with having sold liquor on October 30th in the nolicense district of Ashburton and Wm. Higgins was separately charged with having sold liquor i- the no-lice:--,.; district of Ashburton. The case was adjourned until November 19tb.

George Winter, of Euapuna, who was £5 3s 6d in arrears on a maintenance order, in respect of an illegitimate child, was convicted and sentenced to i 4 days' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as he pays 7s 6d weekly, according to the order, and 2s 6d we'eklv off the arrears.

General News. A motion in favour of a reduction in the petrol tax from 4d to 3d per gallon, and the exemption of fuel used for farm implements, was carried at the Ashburton County Council meeting yesterday.

County Council. At the monthly meeting of the Ash burton County Council held yesterday, there were present: Messrs A. Horsey (chairman), W. G. Gallagher, H. C. B. Witbell, K. Houston, J. Bruce, J. Carr, H. E. Jessep, J. Lambie, H. J. Crothers, J. Moore jun., D. J. Morrow, and W. T. Lill.

The financial statement showed that tbe revenue to date totalled £23,047 lis, and the expenditure £51,771 <s, leaving a debit of £8724 6s Id. In addition, the accounts passed for payment at the meeting, less the antecedent liabilitv left a total debit of £11,783 15s "lOd. In connexion with the Jubil§e of the Ashburton County, Cr. Gallagher moved

that the Council award £5 in prizes to children of the County schools for an essay on the history of the County. Cr. Crothers seconded the motion, which was lost on the casting vote of the chairman.

It was decided to request the Bail-' way Department to clear gorse on its reserve adjoining the Council's reserve near Chertsey. On the recommendation of Cr. J. Bruce, it was decided to inform the Wakanui Road Board that its application for a light at the,Wakanui Hall corner could not be granted as no provision had been made for it on the estimates.

With reference to the Council's support of the resolutions which were passed at Dunedin recently bythe business community, protesting against the Government's proposals in connexion with a Ministry for Transport, and also against any increase in the civil ser- , vice, the Prime Minister wrote stating',! that the representations had been noted j and would receive careful consideration. »r. Advice was received from the Mt. Somers Eoad Board'to the effect that, it had appointed Mr C. Timpson, of Staveley, stock ranger for the Board's district, and asked if the Council would like to appoint him stock ranger on. the Main Highways in the Board's district. The suggestion was agreed to. The usual grants of £25 to the Ashburton Technical School Board, and £5 to the Ashburton branch of the Workers' Educational Association were passed. The Canterbury Education Board wrote thanking the Council for its offer of prizes for the best primary school gardens iii the County. The Health Inspector (Mr E. N. Johnson) was granted permission to attend the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors' Conference at Napier from January 23rd to 27th.

An application by the Geraldine County River Board for the transfer of a reserve, was refused. Plunket Society. At the monthly meeting of the Ashburton Plunket Society, held yesterday, Mrs H. Hunter presided. It was reported that the nurse would commence her holiday on Novembt 7th, and she would be relieved by Nurse Kenny. It was decided that the next meeting, which was the last for the year, take the form of a country conference. The report of the nurses showed that in the town and Tinwald, visits to homes totalled 121, and visits to the office 461, while in the country 14*5 homes were visited, and 403 visits were paid to the rooms.

Land Sale. By order of the Supreme Court, the National Mortgage offered 824 acres, situated at Lowcliffe, for sale yesterday. The farm was bought in by the mortgagees, the McLean Institute. Primary Schools' Cricket.

Allen ton beat Convent by an innings and four wickets in the only match played in the Ashiburton primary schools' cricket competitions yesterday. Convent made 10 in the first strike and 20 in the second. Allenton replied with 38 for four wickets (C. Thomas 11, H. Moses IS, not out). Bowling for Allenton, Jim Varcoe took five wickets for 3 runs, and Jack Varcoe three for 7, in the first innings, while Jim "Varcoe took three for 11, and Jack five for 7 in the second innings.

METHVEN At. the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Methven Lodge, 1.0,0.*".. M.U., Xo. 7620, Bro. L. Vaughan, N.G., presided. In view of the Summer Time Act coming into force before next meet-

ing, a discussion arose as to the commencing time of the lodge meetings. It was deoided to make no alteration. Nominations for officers for the ensuing term were received and opened, and the ballot will be held on November 30th. Six proposals for membership were received.

MOUNT SOMERS. The quarterly meeting of the Mount Somers Anglican. Vestry was held on Wednesday. Present: Rev.-J. W..P. Dyer (chairman), Messrs J. H. Boaler (vicars' warden). S. Baxter, L. Harrison G. L. Sandry, B. Hamson : and J. T Bull. A motion of sympathy was passed to the Peter family in their bereavement. The question of curtailing services at Ashburton Forks and Staveley was held over. The vicar reported that, apart from a few minor needs, the church and vicarage were in good repair. Mrs T. W. Hix. Mount Somers, is visiting her son, Mr S. Hix (Christchurch). 1 •-'

SEAFIELD. At the final card tournament of the season Miss D. "Watson won the ladies' prize with 125 points, Mrs C. H. Hampton (Pendarves) being second with 124. The men's prize was won by Mr R. Baynes with 133 points, Mr A. Trot being second with 129. Mr J. Gregory controlled ihe games. The occasion was also marked by the presentation of the trophies won by the members -of the Miniature Rifle Club during the season. In making the presentation Mr A. Gregory, president of the club, expressed thanks to all who had given trophies and also to the committee for the way- in which it had carried out its duties during the season. The* trophies were presented as follows; —Curtis Cup, presented by Mr Curtis (Ashburton). won by R. J. Martin; president's trophy by' J. Gregory; Sir James Bruee's trophy by A. Gregory; Mrs James Brace's trophy by J. B. Lambie ; Mrs A. Gregory's by R..J. Martin; Mr H. McElrea's by J. W. Watson; Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd.'s by H. Watson; Mr J. Mason's by A. Watson; Mr M. Coffey's by M. Bruce; Seafield Farmers' Union's by R. Baynes. A dance followed, the music being contributed by Mis3es I. and C. Bruce, E. Gregory, and Mr A. Bennison.