LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 651, 19 July 1921, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The art classes in the Technical High School commence this evening. Mr H, H. Pattle will act as instructor.

Farmers who produce ere ana by home separation should note the advertisement to-day of Ambury’s Ltd., offering to bdy all creaip.

The annual meeting of the Pukekohe Chamber of Commerce will be held in the Carnival Tea Rooms on Monday evening next and will take the form of a luncheon. All members arid intending members are invited and should hand their names in to Mr V. S. Roberts by Thursday next.

Some of the recent valuations on farm properties are, .compared with those of a few years back, very indeed. As an example of the rise during the last four years one witness at the Assessment Court, held at Pukekohe last week, said the valuation of his property had increased “only’’ 124 per cent.

Because they did not put in ain appearance at toe Assessment Court to substantiate their objections, several farmers had their cases struck out. The president (Mr V. G. Bay, S.M.) remarked «• “We are not here to run after people. If they dp not appear when their names are called, they will have their cases struck out,” and this was accordingly done in several instances.

During the sitting of the Assessment Court, held at Pukekohe last week, an objector to the valuation placed on his property, was giving evidence, and proceeded to compare the previous valuation with the recent one. The president of the Court (Mr V. S. Day, S.M.) interrupted, and pointed out that the previous valuations had othing whatever to do witr. those in question. Counsel for appellent submitted they had, but the president considered otherwise, and would not allow counsel to examine the witness on the point..

What gives a value to f arm lands ? Most people have an idea that they are valuable if valuable produce can bo obtained from them, but not otherwise. But apparently we have all Been wrong. At the sitting of the Assessment Court in Pukekohe last week, an objector was about to give evidence as to the fall in value of produce, but the president of the Court stopped him, and said he would not allow any evidecne on the subject, “because the value of produce had nothing to do with the value of land.”

A very nasty accident befel Mrs Gardes, wife of Mr P. W. Gardes, the local hotelkeeper, a few days ago. It appears that the unfortuate lady had taken some medicine, and was inserting the cork in the bottle in the ordinary way, when apparently too much pressure was applied, and the bottle gave way ujider its head, with the result that Gardes severely lacerated the base of the thumb on one hand, while several severe cuts were sustained on the other. First aid was applied, j and at the present time Mrs Gardes 'is progressing favourably. The mis- | hap is all the more regretted, inasmuch as Mrs Guides was already prepared (luggage packed, etc.) to 1 clave Pukekohe on a visit to Wellington.

The first meeting of the newiys erected council of the Franklin Beautifying Association is advertised t® take place to-morrow evening j n tho Council Chambers at 8 o’clock, fn tending members, and those interested, are invited to watch the proceedings.

Conservative Scotland Yard is finding women of decided value on its detective force, especially in ferreting out the intricacies of certain sorts of crime. The talent of ‘these feminine sleuths, it is said, is . due largely because of their greatefT'f success of , practising deception. An&\ it has been found that they can keep a secret. Many of the women detectives cover assignments at social events where it’ is necessary for them to wear evening gowns and jewels and to display the social Women Ndetectives were employed ' first in London, but now their activities have extended to the provinces.

While giving evidence at the Assessment Court, held at Pukekohe, st Government valuer, who valued the Aka Aka Swamp properties, the values of which were objected to, wae asked by counsel for the objectors,« how he arrived at the unimproved vaiue. After the witness had hesitated for a moment or two, counsel. interrupted and remarked: “Come on, Mr (naming the witness), sur»> ly you can tell us! Did yon make a guess at it ?” The witness looked up at counsel in a manner that reminded one of school days, when the teacher was questioning a shy, boy about doing something contrary te the rules of the school, and said that he fixed the unimproved value, and then added the improvements: “Oh; is that it,” retorted counsel. After concentrating his thoughts, witness corrected himself by “I fix the capital value, then the improvements, and substract, which gives the unimproved value.” Now, which is it ?” asked counsel. Witness said the laist answer was i the correct one.