MERCER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 135, 21 January 1916, Page 3

MERCER.

Tbe absence of crime in tbe district was made apparent at tbe Magistrate's durt yesterday, whrn the only case that came before the Magistrate, Mr E C Cutten, was a judgment summons, the United Timber Company v. Whetu Kingi for £4 17s. An order for payment was made. Captain Kagg expresies himself in no uncertain manner as to the vast difference that exists between the treatment meted out by the Government to the authority controlling t'je Wanganui river and to the Waikato River Board. While the expenditure of Government money on improving the former river is particularly heavy, he says there is an entire absence of anything in the shape of essistance towards bettering tbe conditions on th 3 Waikato river, which more urgently required attention. Although it is nuw rorr.e weeks su.ci the punt sank out of sight in the river, and many ratepayers favour raising it and restoring it to its old duties as a connecting link between the two banks of the river, the Town Board, to which those interested have looked for assistance, appear, with the exception of Mr M Gallery, reluctant to bring it again into use. Meanwhile means of transit between Meicer and Pukekawa and Uoewhero are cut off The United Timber Company is likely to be a greater asset to the district than what it has already proved to be. The Company is negotiating with tbe barque Activ, which is lying at the Auckland wharf, loading 600,000 feet of timber from the United Timber Company, for it to sail to Port Waikato three months hence and there to load a lurtber shipment of timber from the Mercer mill and tu tall direct tor Sydney. If arrangements prove satisfactory several hundred tons of merchandise will be carried in the trip from Auckland to be unloaded at the Beads for consignees in tbe Waikato At tbe regular monthly meeting of tbe Town Board, held on Wednesday evening Messrs M Gallery, acting-chairman, C JWatkinson, and ij Carter, together with the clerk, gljl< N King, being present, the Hws adopted at th 3 Board's loin meeting were conrfimed Hg renovation of tbe p lice residence at Mercer is preceding satisfactorily and should, when finished, make a decided improvement Mr Gimblett, the new licensee of the Mercer Hotel, and Mr Morris, th° manager, are uow comlortably gettled in the hotel, and the busines] is being carried en in firstclass style, the accommodation and meal* being particularly good.

By Constable Watson: He was as sober then aa he was that day in Cou t By Mr Hopkins: It was qiite day light when the struggle cccarred, and be would have seen a bottle if there had been one Mr Hopkins contended tbat fie evidence was contradictory. The defendant denied that he had had a bottle of whisky and the only other perfon in the waggon had expressed the same opinion The Magistrate said that the whisky was the subject of the prosecution, and there seemed to be no doubt but there had been a bottle of whisky. Morgan had been convicted betore and was fined £l, but il had cot stopped him. He would un tbat occasion be lined £2, with costs £2 A Syrian, named Joseph, was charged with having introduced intoxicating liquor into the Maori kianga at Tauranganui on the 8:d December. He pleaded not guilty Ngapuka, a Maori, said tbat be was the chairman of ths Tauranganui Native Committee, which body had made regulations prohibiting liquor from being introduced into the kaianga, the boundaries of which bad been agreed on by the Committee. The rule was enacted with a view of keeping liquor out ot the more serious functions of the Maoris. By the Magistrate: The regulations were posted about in tbe district, but the secretary was entrusted with their keeping. He did not have a opy of tbe regula tions with him The Magistrate dismissed the case, saying tbat if there was no copy of tbe regulations available it was no use proceeding with the TRANSIT OP POULTRY Henry Millward, millhand, of Tuakau, pleaded guiltv to a charge of having cruelly ill-treated a number of geese, fowls, etc. Cor stable Watson stated tbat two crates of poultry, one containing six geese and the other seven hens and several guinea fowls, were left at Tuakau station by tbe defendant from December 24th to 27tb, and owing to the crates being too small lbs birds got cramped and two of them died Tbe defendant explained tbat a telegram was sent from Auckland, from whence the birds bad been consigned, to a person at Tuakau < advising tbat tbe birds were at the Tuakau station, but they were not taken away by tbat person. Be handed in a receipt for food which he bad purchased and given to the birds which he left at the station to be carted out to him The Magistrate said that there appeared to be something in the excuse offered, but although it was not altogether defendant's own fault, he would have to take the responsibility. He would be convicted and lined £1 and costs 7s