LOCAL NEWS

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1948, Page 4

LOCAL NEWS

Sensational luck with horse-racing bets, and equally spectacular losses, were described in the Supreme Court, when Joseph Barnao, aged 22, Wellesley Street, Auckland was admitted to probation at Palmerston North, for three years on a charge of the theft of £l5B from Campbell, Ehrenfield and Company, Auckland, on June 29, 1948. Barnao had started gambling in a small way, said his counsel (Mr. J. A. Ongley). Unfortunately, he had had such phenomenal success that at one time he had made £5,000 within six months. His luck then changed, and he lost all his winnings, plus an extra £2,000, which included his earnings from his tomato-growing business. Mr. Justice Stanton made a condition of probation that Barnao must abstain from all betting and gambling, and make restitution of the money out of his own earnings.

In, the past racing season, £22,211,388 10s went through the totalisator in New Zealand, an increase of £212,014 10s on the previous year. Betting on galloping meetings totalled £15,257,575, compared with £15.592,646 and trotting investments rose from £6,406,728 to £6,953,813 10s, an increase of £547,085 10s.

Heralded by lesser illumination than previous evenings, the Aurora Australis, early last evening lit up the southern sky with a glorious display. Many people had their attention attracted as the rays of the Aurora fluctuated in ranges and colours. The hues of green were particularly brilliant, as they beamed across the heavens. The flashes of pink and orange verigated the phenamena. The centre of the meteoric arch corresponds with the magnetic south. The phenomenon is generally seen two or three hours after sunset. Aurorae displays are among the most beautiful of nature. The rays last evening were constantly changing and vibrating with light, presenting an awesome spectacle. The auroral displays are usually associated with sunspot activity and magnetic storms. Last evening’s display lasted for over 20 minutes, being visible in Auckland, among other widely separated areas in the North Island.

Following are the scores for the weekly shoot of the Ross Miniature Rifle Club, C. Hamilton winning the I-lotty Button: J. O’Connor 89/5/100, R. Head 89/20/100, J. Puketapu 89/17/100. J. Thomson 91/10/100, L. Gray 92/9/100, C. Hamilton 99/0/99, F. Galletley 97/2/99, K. Foster 90/9/99, W. Carter 98/0/98, R. Jones 94/4/98, W. Mitchell 92/5/97, A. Adamson 95/2/97, L. Gilmore 88/9/97, T. Manera 94/2/96, A. Cowan 92/4/96, W. Sharpe 90/6/96, G. Forrest 91/7/98, H, Jones 87/9/96, R. Wheeler 93/3/96, F. Pierson 95/0/95, S. Scott 91/4/95, J. Burrell 92/3/95, D. Thomson 89/6/95, L. Bailey 92/2/94, W. Leggott 93/1/94, J. Mitchell 73/20/93, F. Hamilton 90/1/91, P. Head 89/2/91. I. Small 91, R. Hamlin 83, D. McTainsh 80.

It seems that just about everyone has a holiday except poor old Mum —there’s always the washing or something to do ! Now, Mum, what about having a real rest —and send all that extra washing to the Westland Laundry. We know you’ve always prided yourself on the snowy whiteness of your washing, but just give us a trial and you’ll be simply delighted with the results—and low cost. Only the finest washing soap is used, and all clothes are hygienically washed in seven separate waters. ’Phone 136. Depot: Sam McAra. —Advt.

The new grandstand at Rugby Park was the scene of a unique presentation ceremony on Saturday afternoon. Upon declaring the stand open, Mr S. S. Deans, was presented with a greenstone paper knife by Mr F. W. Baillie, president of the West Coast Rugby Union as a token of esteem for the great work that he had done throughout New Zealand and on the West Coast.

A month’s imprisonment for ship desertion was on Saturday imposed on Wm. A Chalmers and Jas E. Johnson, who pleaded guilty to deserting the motor vessel “Wairangi” on July 26, at Wellington, and who were arrested at Roa, after they had been for two days working at the Paparoa mine. They stated that they thought they would better themselves by remaining in the Dominion and had so intended when they signed on. Messrs J. North and N. V. Lovell, J’sP. were on the bench.

The inquiry by a tribunal into last month’s stoppage at the Runanga State mines is timed to open to-mor-row, the tribunal comprising (subject to acceptance of some of the Diembers') Messrs A. A. McLachlan S.M., (chairman), F. Connew, Buller, and G E. English, Runanga (union nominees), J. McArthur and J. Hughes (employers’ nominees. The miners case will be conducted by Mr J. Harrington (deputy check inspector at Strongman mine). Mr C. J. s F°nffi™*n (superintendent) is expected to conduct the case for his department.