SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23691, 26 September 1940, Page 13

SOUTH OTAGO NOTES

[Fkom Ock Correspondent] MILTON MATERNITY WARD. The matter of a maternity ward at Milton, was again before the Clutha County Council at this week’s meeting, whoa Mr W. Roy, secretary of the South Otago Hospital Board, wrote asking the council to reconsider its decision not to support the proposal to raise an additional £5,000 loan for the purpose of building a maternity ward at Muton Hospital, He stated that the ward would be but a part of the whole assets of the board, and the Maternity Commission which took evidence throughout the Dominion four years ago recommended it. The possible increase to the council for 1941-42 would not be more than £9O, and this might not bo required, while in about two years the board’s original loan would be paid oil and they would be relieved of an annual payment of £2,500 interest. Cr Jas. Gumming wanted to know if the maternity block would supply the needs of the whole of South Otago. Cr W. J. M'Kenzie (who is also a member of the Hospital Board) said the block would be separate from the hospital, but would be connected in a way. The result of the council continuing to refuse would be to force the board to put on an extra rate. Cr A. V. King said the position now was that men were refusing to go to Balclutha Hospital when refused admission to Milton, and were going to Dunedin. Cr f. Maginness said the council was doing what the ratepayers wanted it to do in refusing to sanction this loan. The letter was “ received,” and Cr Bi'Kenzie gave notice to move at nest meeting that the previous motion bo rescinded. BALCLUTHA COURT. Mr H. T. Dixon, S.M., presided over the monthly sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at Balclutha yesterday. —Civil List.— Judgment by default was given in the following civil cases:—A. M'Ewan v. S. Scott, jun., 11s (costs 8s); John H. Stevenson Ltd. v. M. J. Wybrow (Chaslands), £8 6s 8d (costs £1 19s 6d) ; Commissioner of Taxes v. Alfred J. Glen (Awamangu), £22 18s 4d (costs S2s). —Wandering Cattle.— 'Alex. Balloch (Kaitangata), for allowing two cows; to wander, was fined Bs, with 10s costs. W. A, Aitkenhead (Kaba Point), for allowing three cows and a calf to mender, was fined 10s, with 21s costs. Win.- Prentice (Kaka Point), for allowing two cows to wander, was fined 10s, with 12s costs. F. M. Dow (Finigand) was fined 10s, with 12s costs, for allowing a horse to wander, and for a similar offence Alexander Ramsay (Kaitangata) was fined 9s, with 10s costs. —Traffic Breaches.—• For cycling without lights Albert Rogers (Kaitangata) was fined 10s, with 10s costs; George Uren (Kaitangata) was fined ss, with 10s costs; Wm. Crook (Balclutha) was fined ss, with 10s costs; and D. M. Henderson (Bal♦lutha) was also fined ss, with 10s oosts. For failing to notify change of ownership ,of a motor cycle, Joel Lancaster (Kaitangata) was ordered to pay 10s costs.

George Edward Dewar (Clinton) was fined 10s, with 10s costs, for operating » car without a warrant of fitness, and • similar penalty was imposed on J. Crawford (Puketi) for a like offence. Henry Haggart (Kaitangata), for operating a heavy truck without a heavy traffic license, was fined 20s, with 10s costs; Clutha Carrying Co. was fined 15s, with 10s costs for a similar offence. For riding a motor cycle without a Warrant of fitness, F. Anderson {Kaitangata) was fined ss, with 10s costs. Bertie Stevenson (Clinton) parked ■is car on the wrong side of the roadway, and he was ordered to pay 12s oosts David. Frame (Invercargill), charged with speeding through Balclutha, was fined 20s, with 10s costs. Lawrence H. Frye (Balclutha) was charged with driving-without due care and attention.—After hearing the evidence of Traffic Inspectors Gray and Ireton and the defendant, the case was fiumissed. —Claim for Possession.— The Kaitangata Coal Company proceeded against T. E. Ashley on a claim for £5 rent and possession.—J. G. Henderson, _secretary to the company, said the plaintiffs owned a house used by the medical officer of the Miners’ Benefit Society. _ Defendant had been appointed medical officer, but after arrival at Kaitangata, refused to sign the agreement. He occupied the bouse, but was not the medical officer. Another medical officer had been appointed, but defendant refused to vacate the premises.—Judgment was given for the amount claimed, with costs, and an order was made for possession on or before October 10. —Criminal Charge.— John Horsley Taylor, a farmer, aged 80 years, of Paretai, was charged with, on or about January 24, 1940, at Paretai, having committed incest on his daughter, aged 17 years.—Chief-detec-tive Holmes (Dunedin) prosecuted, and Mr R. R. Grigor appeared for accused. The court was cleared, and an order made prohibiting the publication of the names of female witnesses. Evidence was given by Dr D. M. Frengley, Charles Fuller, and Detective-sergeant Hall. Accused entered a plea of guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Dunedin for sentence. Mr Grigor asked for bail, and this was allowed. accused in his own recognisance of £3OO, and two sureties of £IOO each. Mr Grigor also asked for the suppression of _ accused’s name, but the Magistrate said he could see no reason for this, Md refused the request.