LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 310, 17 October 1929, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The Matamata County Council has decided to suggest to the Putaruru Town Board that the time has now arrived when the latter body should attend to the maintenance of the highways within its district. Consequent on the discussion at the October meeting of the Putaruru Town Board relative to building permits, the question of a brick area is to be gone into by the clerk and a report submitted to the next meeting of the Town Board.

At the close of the case involving the theft of turkeys, . heard before Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., at Putaruru on Thursday, the defendant’s solicitor raised a laugh by stating “he could have bought ostriches at that price,” when Mr. Hewitt stated that the total amount payable by the defendant was £6 ss.

During the hearing of a case at Putaruru last week, involving the theft of turkeys, the fact that the defendant had refused to make a statement to the police was stressed on several occasions, and his counsel stated that it would be a wise thing if all persons, guilty or otherwise, adopted that attitude. The statement was disagreed with by the Magistrate, Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt.

The fact that fresh tenders had not been called for the lease of the Putaruru Town Hall was stated by Mr. R. A. Bent at the meeting of the Town Board on Tuesday last, to have caused some talk, and he thought that fresh tenders should be called. The chairman (Mr. G. G. Griffiths) stated that the matter was held up by circumstances beyond their control. The plans of the proposed new town hall would be before the Local Government Loans Board within a week, and a reply therefrom could be expected in about a month’s time. He thought they should hold the matter over until then. This was agreed:to.

Mr. J. W. Anderson, chairman of the Matamata County Council, left for Wellington on Sunday evening on official business. The grounds round the Putaruru District High School are looking well at present. The School Committee has purchased a lawn mower, which Is greatly appreciated by those who keep the grounds in such excellent order. The issue of permits for motor lorries which exceed the classified weights has been left to the discretion of the clerk and engineer of the Matamata County Council, with a limit of four tons on the portion of the Putaruru-Taupo road classified fifth class.

The secretary of the Putarun. branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union has been advised that a party of Tasmanian farmers will arrive In Putaruru on October 30 and will spend the day in the district. Visits to Arapuni and the afforestation areas are to be included in the itinerary.

The Matamata County Council has agreed to accept £750 cash in settlement of a claim against Messrs. Finlay and Farrar (deceased), of the Waiomo sawmill, for £1215. The balance has been apportioned as follows : General account £315 9s, Te Poi riding £75, Okoroire riding £75. Prior to the commencement of business at the Matamata County Council meeting on Friday, the chairman (Mr. J. W. Anderson) referred to the loss the council had sustained by the death of Cr. Middleton. He felt sure that Mrs. Middleton would have the sympathy of all round the council table. Cr. Middleton had been a most likeable man. A motion of sympathy was carried, members standing in silence.

Fifty men from the ranks of the unemployed in Auckland arrived at Ferguson’s gully, on the MatamataCambridge road, on Thursday, under engagement to the Public Works Department. The work of straightening and widening the corners and reducing some of the grades on this route is now to be taken in hand in earnest, and it is expected that a further 50 men will shortly augment the 50 who are now at work.

At the October meeting of the Putaruru Town Board the chairman (Mr. G. G. Griffiths) made reference to a letter that appeared in the Press recently. In 'doing so Mr. Griffiths said he would not reply to any anonymous correspondence. If any ratepayer, keenly interested in the town’s welfare, wished to write to the press he should put his name to the letter, or, if not desirous of having his name published, he should attach his card with the intimation that the letter could be seen by any interested person. Ratepayers keenly interested in the town could interview the chairman or vice-chairman, and any reasonable question could be answered. The bulk of the correspondent’s references in the letter referred to were answered in the chairman’s letter-telegram to the Highways Board. Town Board members were as keen as anyone to see the work done.