LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 299, 1 August 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Mr. C. C. Neal has passed his examination for an optician’s certificate under the new regulations. The Farmers’ Union meeting colled for Saturday lapsed for want of a quorum. Mr. J. P. K. Callaghan, of the Hauraki Plains, has been selected to succeed Mr. Edmonds on the staff of the Putaruru District High School. The intellectual needs of Putaruru were not neglected last week, for a lecture was given on each afternoon or evening. The subjects included missionary enterprise, modern drama, poetry and Bolshevism. Each lecture attracted a satisfactory audience.

Second-hand separators are apparently a drug on the market, for at a number of clearing sales held recently in the surrounding districts machines in first-class order have failed to realise bids even in cases where the auctioneer has gone as low as £2 in search of an opening bid.

Despite the unfavourable weather there was a good attendance or ladies at a lecture given by Miss M. Barnett, on the work of the passionaries in the Solomon Islands, in the Methodist Sunday School room on Wednesday. Rev. H. Ashworth presided, and at the close of the address Mrs. Ashworth conveyed the thanks of the ladies to Miss Barnett. Afternoon tea, followed by social chat, concluded an instructive function.

Rev. S. R. Wareing. vicar of Putaruru, has received notice of his transfer to the parish of Te Awamutu He leaves in October to take up his new duties. Mr. Wareing, who has been in charge of St. Paul’s Church during the past 15 months, will be greatly missed, for he has taken an active interest in all movements pertaining to the welfare of the youth of the town. He is connected with the Putaruru Rugby Union.

A dance will be held in the Putaruru Town Hall on Thursday, August 8. in aid of the Putaruru Brass Band. Roll up and have a good time. Music by Shalfoon’s orchestra.*

I Mr. F. D. J. Whyte, of Otorohunga, : succeeds Mr. E. nl. Marshall in tne secondary department of the Putaruru District High -School. Mr. Whyte took up his duties to-day.

The Putaruru Brass Band, under Mr. A. Brown, gave an enjoyable programme in Princes street on Saturday night. A large number listened with evident pleasure. Owing to the prevalence of influenza in Arapuni the football match set down for Saturday between Tokoroa and Arapuni did not take place.

“ The Rise of Modern Drama ” was discussed by the Putaruru branch of the W.E.A. last week at Mr. and Mrs. T. F. Snell’s residence. Mr. Marshall led the proceedings, which included the reading of two one-act plays. Mrs. Snell provided supper.

The fourth annual dinner of the Waikato division of the Workers’ Educational Association was held in Hamilton on Saturday. The Putaruru branch was represented by Miss Alcorn, Mesdames C. R. Alcorn, Tulloch. J. S. Reid, Messrs. A. R. Vosper, T,. M. Nicklin, Davis, F. Peters, J. C. Ross.

The box circle of the Putaruru branch of the W.E.A. met at Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Reid’s residence on Monday night,> when three one-act plays were read. Opportunity was taken by the chairman, Mr. J. S. Reid, to bid farewell to Mr. E. M. Marshall, who left for Taumarunui on Wednesday. In the course of a brief speech Mr. Reid referred to the help the box scheme had been to members by way of increasing their knowledge of music, art and literature, and it had also assisted members to have a better knowledge of one another. In losing Mr. Marshall they were losing one who had been of great assistance to the movement. Mr. Reid then handed the departing guest a handsome autograph album containing the autographs of the members. Ip returning thanks for the gift and kindly expressions Mr. Marshall said t h e six months he had spent in Putaruru had been happy ones. He had gained inspiration from the circle. Supper brought an enjoyable evening to a close.

The fortnightly meeting of the Selwyn Lodge M.U.1.0.0.F. Putaruru was held on Thursday and was marked by the presence of Bro. F. Best, D.G.M., Hamilton. After being welcomed by the N.G., Bro. E. Barnett, the D.G.M. in an inspiring address urged the young members to attend the meetings and take part in the work of the Lodge. During the last 10 years there had been an increase of over 4000 members in the Auckland district, equalling an increase of 139 per cent., a wonderful advance. Bro. Best went on to point out the benefits received by i members, and he stressed the point that members are always welcome at Lodge meetings in other towns, so that strangers are always assured of a warm welcome. The address was listened to with great interest ana at the close Bro. J. W. Barr Brown, the local secretary, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker, paving a tribute to Bro. Best for his work for 1 the order. The motion was carried by acclamation.

The story of a sure fortune that was lost because of the coming into operation of the Motor Vehicles Act was told in a petition presented in the House last week on beha f of Frederick James Lake, of Putaruru. Prior to 1925, the petitioner said, he was the owner of a factory in Auckland designed and equipped for the manufacture of a sufficient number of patented motor vehicle number plates to supply the whole of New Zealand. The business, which largely expanded after he acquired it, was carried on under the security of royal letters patent. The petitioner said he had made inquiries from a Minister of the Crown, and so far as could be learned nothing was contemplated that would interfere with the making of the sure fortune he had ; n sight. The carrying into force of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1925. however, automatically confiscated the business and nullified the value oi the patent rights. Had his patent rights been merely infringed, the oetitioner said, he would have had a legal claim, but, as the rights were wiped out of existence, he had no claim, and had been forced into bankruntev. Fe now asked for sufficient compensation to convince all that he had received British justice.