LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 287, 9 May 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

During the progress of the Puta-ruru-Mamaku football match at Mal,■ i during the Mr. John Schofield, a Putaruru player, susa broken collarbone. He is progressing l satisfactorily.

The Putaruru school, in common with others in the Auckland Education Board's district, will close for the first term vacation to-morrow. School will resume on Monday, May 27.

The Putaruru Chamber of Commerce at its monthly meeting on Monday decided to inform the Matamata County Council that it was reported that treeplanting had been started on the Club Run ” holding at Putaruru.

Rev. G. Wilkinson, Anglican curate at Arapuni, is at present on his annual holidays, which are being spent at Auckland. After his return Rev. Wilkinson will spend a few days at Arapuni, after which he will leave for ICawhia, to which curacy lie has been appointed.

The matter of the appointment of a justice of the peace at Lichfield was mentioned at the meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening. It was pointed out that the residents were put to inconvenience through having to travel to Putaruru to have documents witnessed. ' The chamber decided to recommend the appointment of a justice at Lichfield and also to bring before the Justice Department the need for two other justices to be appointed at Putaruru. Certain names will go forward in this connection.

A proposal that a committee be set up to deal with local matters in connection with motoring was brought before the meeting held on Wednesday night by Mr. F. C. Barnett. In making the suggestion Mr. Barnett thought such a committee could assist - the Auckland Automobile Association, but it was pointed out that the association’s interests were watched by Mr. J. M. Spear, the local agent. After hearing Messrs. Curd and Chamntaloup’s explanation Mr. Barnett withdrew a motion he had moved in the direction mentioned.

At a clearing sale held in the Putaruru district recently the auctioneer, in referring to the halters used in tying the cattle up, said the halters were getting like the ladies’ dresses, shorter and shorter. The sally caused great merriment among those who heaid it.

When the question of signs was under discussion at the meeting of motorists on vv ednesuuy evening a memuer ot the audience said tnere was a sign not lar from irutaiuru winch reau ” blow Ciuidren. ’ Tins Sign was not appreciated by me ciuidren, who sensed a re.lection on tnem. (.Laughter.)

The opinion was expressed by Mr. Chaniptoioup at tne meeting or motorists on Wednesday evemng tuat tne road from la up o to Atiainuri had been considerably improved. The •jL'auranga local Domes looned alter their end very well, but portions of tne roads m the Matamata county were not in such order. This a.so applied to certain loads the Pudiic Yvoi’ks Deapitment was responsible lor.

When Mr. Champtaloup referred to the new railway crossing regulations mat were to come nico ioi.ee next month, at tne meeting of motorists on Wednesday evening, a member asked n tne engine drivers would ue lined or otherwise punished if they tailed to mow tne wmoues as laid down in the regulations. Another fneinDer humorously remarked tnat tile engine drivers should take out tmrd party risks.

Not the least interesting feature of the coronation dance held last Tnursaay was tne conierrmg oi tne Honours on the local nobility, in this connection an appropriate touch was given to the kmgnung ”of a wellknown local resident, whom rumour sayeth is shortly joining the ranks ,of tne’ benedicts, by the playing of ithe Vv’edding March by the orchestra. •Even the " victim ” enjoyed the joke.

The Putaruru Chamber of Commeice decided at its meeting on Monday to assist the Auckland Automooue Association in its efforts to get tne trees near the i'irau tennis courts cut, as they are said to be a menace to users of the road. The need for attention to the Tirau crossing was also mentioned, it being the opinion of the meeting that it is at present a decided danger to motorists.

An ex-resident of Putaruru in the person of Mr. Vv. Armstrong, of Asnourton, was a visitor to Eumruru during the week-end. Mr. Armstiong used to De in Eutaruru many yeais ago, before the town had reached its present size, and he Dad not revisited it lor six years. Mr. Armstrong said he Was amazed aL tne progress made, especially in the development of thd farm lands. he had seen nothing to equal it on the journey from Asnburton.-

At a recent meeting of the Putaruru branen of tne Gin Guides it was decided to hold a field day at Eucaruiu on Saturday, May 11. Commissioner hams, of Rotorua, will be in attendance. The Matamata company and tne Lone Patrol oi Seiwyn will be present, and an interesting programme of competitions, guide wont and pageants will be presented. The colours of the Putaruru company \\Tll be dedicated by Rev. ti. Ashworth. Mrs. C. C. Neal has donated a cup for competition, and Matamata lias also given a cup.

The question of the facilities afforded residents in paying tne rower Boards accounts at tne rutaruru office was before the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday. It was stated that inconvenience was often caused to those having business to transact owing to the unsatisfactory hours. The chamber decided to write to tne board suggesting that it advertise in the tress the dates on which the office will lie open and also to date stamp the accounts with the same information.

General regret was felt in the Arapuni district when it became known tnat Mr. James W. Swaney, superintendent of the Rorahora and Arapuni power stations, had passed away, in addition to his official duties Mr. Swaney was well known by reason of his activities in connection with football, tennis and church affairs. He was also a trustee of the Medical Association. The department loses an efficient officer and the district is made poorer by the passing of s-ch an excellent resident as the late Mr. Swaney proved himself. To his widow and little daughter the sincere sympathy of a host of friends will be extended.

At the meeting of the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce Mr. A. Simpson brought up the matter of the delays caused to vehicular and pedesI trian traffic at the Main street crossing by the shunting operations carried out by the railways. Mr. Simpson asked if it were not possible to confine the shunting- to the railway yards instead of blocking the road as at present. The local stationmaster, Mr. J. D. C. Davis, said the trouble was unavoidable. It was mostly in the mornings when the blockages occurred, as there were three trains in the yard at one time. The timber train was usually the one at fault, but this too was not preventable, for it was always a heavy train. Mr. Barr Brown said the department had promised to see if anything could be done to improve the yards when the work in connection with Arapuni was finished. Various members of the chamber paid a tribute to the staff engaged in shunting for their consideration shown to the public by giving them a chance to get over the crossing at the earliest possible moment.