HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 108, 31 January 1935, Page 4

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Charged with being found on licensed premises after hours, Allan Cole was lined £2 and costs by Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M.. in the Petone court yesterday.

The following persons, charged with traffic offences, were fined 10/- and costs by Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., in the Petone court yesterday; —Sanden John Symons, no driving license: William Rae Douglas, carrying more than one passenger on liis mctor-cycle: William George Nelson, negligent driving; James Gerald Meaclien, failure to keep to the left; Albert Phillip House, failure to observe the off-side rule; Marshall EtHvard Gregory, using an unlicensed motor vehicle; Sydney Edward Jones was ordered to nay costs. £2/4/-, for negligent driving.

SERVICES EULOGISED

Farewell to Inspector For Petone Borough

Eulogistic reference to the inspector for the Petone Borough Council. Mr W. B. Gough, on the eve of his retirement. was made by several speakers at a farewell gathering in the Petone Borough Council Chambers last evening when there were present the Mayor. Mr. A. Scholefield, councillors, and members of tne stall. Mr. Gough was presented with a set of bowls in a leather ease, on which was an inscription, and Mrs. Gough was the recipient of a bouquet. "The time has arrived when we must say farewell to Mr. Gough in his official capacity.” said the Mayor, who enumerated the various appointments the inspector had held. In 1903 he was appointed borough inspector, having served for live years with the borough in different capacities before that. Mr. Gough had secured certificates on twq occasions from the Royal Sanitary Institute. London, and had been very prominent in the New Zealand Sanitary Inspectors’ Institute, being its president last year. That was a good finale to a career of public service. Mr. Scholefield said he was pleased to say that Mr. Gough was going out under the superannuation scheme which the council adopted in 1927. "I am looking to the time when a national superannuation scheme will be instituted* the Mayor said. The chairman of the works committee, Cr. V. A. Noble, said he would like to pay a tribute to one who had served the borough faithfully aud well. No one could say he had not been treated fairly bx- Mr. Gough, who had carried out his duties with credit to the borough and hiniseif.. "May your retirement be one which you may thoroughly enjoy. I wish you the best of luck,” Cr. Noble said. The town clerk, Mr. 11. Firth, said he had been associated with Mr. Gough for fourteen and a half years, and not a single incident or word was to be regretted. It was a period of co-opera-tion and good fellowship. The harmony in tlie borough was remarkable, and no due had contributed more to it than Mr. Gough. If there was any pressing work to be done the inspector would do it. He had risen to the top of his profession in spite of handicaps, for he had had to educate himself, and he deserved credit for it. Mr. Firth referred to the work done by Mr. Gough iu the court, and said he always; had tlie opinion that if the inspector:had had the requisite training he would have made a first-class lawyer. He wished him the very best of health and very many years of peace and contentment in his retirement, which was well earned.

Cr. E. N. Ciitnpbell said lie had been associated with Mr. Gough for tlie last 10 years and lie had found him very attentive to duties and always ready to give advice to a new councillor. He had shown to the public that consideration and sympathy which borough officials should show. The borough solicitor, Mr. R. EHarding, said he could not remember when Mr. Gough was not an institution in Petone. He had outstanding good qualities and was always in the forefront to raise the attainments of members of his profession. Cr. AV. 11. Edwards referred to the interest which Mr. Gough took in friendly society work. Cr. G. London said lie hoped tlie retiring inspector would remain in Petone to watch the borough's progress Further tributes to Mr. Gough were expressed by the engineer, Mr. C. L. Jackson. Cr. D. M. Dickson, a former councillor, Mr. Longman, and tlie borough foreman. Mr. 11. Goodin.

“This is one of Hie few occasions when you catcli me tongue-tied.” said Mr. Gough in rejdy. The expressions he had beard were greatly appreciated. He referred to his years of service in the borough, ami remarked Hint it was unique that be was appointed inspector in Mr. London's time and was farewelled b.v Mr. London's son. Mr. Gough said his appointment was a romantic one. He never knew tlie job was going. He was a lamii-ligiiter at tlie time, anil one day he read in the morning paper that he had been appointed borough inspector - . lie had always maintained that no inspector was doing his 3°b efficiently unless he cared more for the welfare of the community than for any remuneration lie got or was likely to get for his services. When he was appointed the public used to look upon inspectors as a bother, but now. thanks to the Sanitary Insnbctors’ Association, they looked to the inspector for guidance and assistance. In his work he had always put himself in the position of Hie other man. and, although lie had made mistakes, there was nothing he could look back on and regret. Tlie council earned the greatest appreciation for introducing tlie supei'.'iininntion scheme in Petone. Mr. Gough said that leaving the staff was the biggest heartbreak he got. The gathering was later the guests of Ihe mayor al supper. SWIMMING SPORTS Hutt Club Results Results of the swimming sports condueled b.v Hie Lower Halt Swimming and Life-Saving Club in the Riddiford Baths on Tuesday evening are as follow :— 33 l-3yds. Boys’ Handicap.—l). Maekieack. 1 ; J. Oidershaw, 2; L. Bmisfield. 3. Time, 2-1. lOOyds. Breaststroke. —I. Hay. I ; |{. Meek. 2; L. Deans, 3. Time. 99. 440vds. Palmer Cup Handicap.— W. Pritchard. 1 : 11. Wright. 2; II Warburton. 3. Time. 7.50 Handicap Dive.—l. Palmer. I ; 11. Tremewnn. 2; G. McDonald, '3. 100yds. Relay.—Warburton, Treinewan and Miss Canipberi. 1; Palmer. Miss Pritchard and Miss Wood. 2; Milne Mackisacls, and Mclnnes, 3. Polo Match.—Hutt B 3. drew with Island Bay B 3. A. Baker scored the goals for lliitf. and Russell for Island Bay. Mr. N. N. Oidershaw was I lie referee.

“HOME-BREWERS” IN EASTBOURNE

Relief Workers Fined £25

WOMAN'S CASE DISMISSED

Xwo of Eastbourne's home-brewers, who ajipearcu before Mr. W. I'. Stilwell, S.M., in the Petone Court yesterday ' were fined the minimum amount, £25,' for carrying on the trade of brewers without licenses. They were William noilway aud Hubert Coombes, both relief workers. The charges were laid under tlie Finance Act and the Collector of Customs, Mr. A. Paul, prosecuted. The police charges of selling beer without licenses were withdrawn at the request of SeniorSergeant Siv.ver. Evidence showed that Constable Gill bought two bottles of beer at ninepence each from Hollway. A week latei a search was made and 29 large and nine small bottles of home-brew were discovered. It was stated that Hollway’s wife said the beer was only sold to friends, and that her husband did not make much out of it. Stout in the process of brewing was also found, and Hollway explained that he had made that for his wife and the beer for himself.

Counsel, Mr. R. E. Pope, submitted it was a little flattering to call defendant a brewer.

The magistrate said he was satisfied Hollway had committed an offence, although he was carrying on the business of n brewer only to- a limited extent.

Mr. Paul said his department viewed illicit, brewing in a very serious light It was very difficult to detect. Counsel: “If my friend wanted to make au example 1 wish he didn't choose n relief worker in poor circumstances.”

In the ease of Coombes, Constable Gill said he had purchased three bottles at a shilling each. Defendant had said he did not sell beer to everyone, but only to reliable customers. When the search was conducted 40 small bottles of stout and 50 quart bottles of beer, some of which was under the bed. was discovered.

Mr. Pope submitted that it was incumbent on the prosecution to prove that defendant made the beer for sale, and that, he carried on the business of a brewer. As far as making beer for sale was concerned what had to be proved was that the beer was made for sale, and that that was the intention of the party at the time he made the beer. If a man came along and said. “That is fiice beer; I will give you a shilling for a bottle,” then, counsel submitted. the maker was not a brewer, because he did not make it for sale in the first place. Carrying on the business of brewer inferred some continuous practice of selling or dealing.

Mr. Stilwell said the case came within the section of the Act. Both defendants were allowed four months to pay their fines. A ease against Iris Kathleen Hunt, managing-director of the Muritai Park Stores, of selling whisky without, a license was dismissed. Mr. Stilwell remarked to the prosecutor, SeniorSergeant Sivyer: “I appreciate your difficulty, but you have not covered the ground.” According to Constable Gill he bought a half bottle of whisky for 7/from the store, while another man got Iwo bottles 'of beer. He did not think defendant had •given them the liquor, but another woman. Thirteen bottles of beer aud six bottles of port wine were found on the premises. Defendant, claimed the wine was for her own use and the beer was an order for a customer. She explained that it was her habit to get. liquor for her customers and deliver it with their goods. Mr. Pope appeared for this defendant also. THEFTS OF BICYCLE “Quite a Number in the Hutt” "I am not going to send you to prison on this occasion, although you will go lo jail next time as far as I am concerned.” said the magistrate, Mr. W. F. Stilwell, in (lie Petone court yesterday, when fining John Charles McDonald, a relief worker, £7/10/- for stealing a bicycle valued at £4, the property of Albert Spence. Senior-Sergeant Sivyer said that the bicycle was removed from the street in December. The owner, who reported the theft, said he had noticed a saddle on another bicycle in the town, and the police discovered that accused had most of Hie parts made up into other bicycles flint were produced in court. When interviewed, accused at first said lie had bought the bicycles, but later, when tlie parts were definitely identified, be admitted the offence. “In these circumstances it is very, very difficult for the police to locate stolen bicycles, find only for Mr. Spence seeing tlie saddle we might not have found this.” said Mr. Sivyer. Quite a number of bicycles were being stolen in the Hutt at the present, time. The magistrate allowed two months to pay the line. Default, was fixed at three months’ imprisonment. EXCUSE FOR SPEEDING Best Man at the Wedding An explanation that lie was the best man at. a wedding aud that lie speeded up in order not to delay the service, was made b.v Henry Robinson, when the police questioned him concerning reckless driving on tlie Muritai Road. In the Petone court yesterday, he was fined £1 and costs by Mr. W. F. Stilwell. S.M. Mr. Siv.ver said that several witnesses had estimatf'd the speed at 45 to 50 miles an hour, which was very reckless on this twisty road. Counsel. Mr. T. A. Cunningham: The senior-sergeant has nut tbe case clearly, your Worship—— Mr. Stilwell : And charitably. I think. Counsel submitted that this was not a trip made for det’emlant’s own benefit. as he was in a burry to assist at tlie wedding. Ho was not a reckless driver, ami in fact was considered tlie reverse. The ear had very uood brakes, so that it could easily have been nulled up, and there was no aceident or any suggestion of an accident. In the circumstances it did not seem a matter that would be repeated. Counsel asked the magistrate to take into consideration the fact that defendant had come down from Masterton in order that lie might answer any questions ‘I think I should lake that into consideration.” said Mr. Stilwell in imposing the fine.