PAPAKURA.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 265, 5 April 1917, Page 1

PAPAKURA.

PAPAKUM MAGISTRATE'S COURT. MONDAY, APRIL 2nd. (Before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M.) Alleged Theft. George Henry Davis, driver, of Papakura, peaded "not guilty" to a charge of stealing a gold bangle, valued at £3 12s, the property, of Mrs. Agnes Jenkins. Dr. Bamford defended. Mrs. Agnes Jenkins, now residing at Pukekohe, stated that on the 23rd February last accused removed her furniture and effects from her house at Papakura, conveying them to the station, where they were trucked. On their arrival at Pukekohe the bangle was missing. By Dr. Bamford: She did the packing, but admitted she did not take the care over it she should have done. Some sleeve links, the loss which she had informed the police about, had since been found by her among her own things. William Price Jenkins, husband of the lastr witness, gave corroborative evidence. Police Constable Millar, stationed at Pukekohe, deponed that after receiving a complaint from Mrs. Jenkins, he went to Papakura, and was shown a bangle by Mrs. Davis, which she said her husband (the defendant) had found at the Papakura railway station. The bangle was subsequently identified by Mrs. Jenkins. Police Constable Kelly corroborated. Accused, giving evidence on his own behalf, defioned that lie had no idea any jewellery was included in the goods that were being removed. He picked up. the brooch near the spot where the truck was loaded, and he looked at the "Lost" advertisements in the paper, but it was not advertised for. He had no idea it belonged to Mrs. Jenkins. The Magistrate dismissed the case, thinking that the defendant was entitled to the benefit of the doubt. A Dead Cow. A fine of 10s and £2 9s costs was inflicted on Ernest Shepherd, a stock dealer, of Otahuhu, for having failed to bury a dead cow that was lying on his property at Alfriston TOWN BOARD MEETING. At the meeting of the Papakura Town Board, held last Monday evening. there were present " Messrs. P. Holt (acting chairman), T. Markwick, H. Linstrom, W. Richardson, H. Lloyd, and T. Campbell, together with the clerk (Mr. H. W. Geissler). New Bakery. Messrs. Willis Bros, wrote enclosing a ground plan showing dimensions of a brick bakery they proposed to erect. —The letter and plan were received. The Sanitary Service. Mr. M. Keane, a local plumber, forwarded a sample sanitary pan, which he stated he could supply to residents. —The clerk was requested to give information as to the same to any enquirers. A Defective Footpath. Mr. J. Ryan wrote asking that the footpath iii front of the Papakura Hotel should be repaired.—On the motion of Mr. Markwick, seconded by Mr. Linstrom, it was resolved that the matter should be deferred until the engineer's report was received. Noxious Weeds Inspector. A letter was read from the Department of Agriculture sanctioning, subject to certain conditions, the appointment of the Board's clerk as the local Noxious Weeds Inspector.—On the motion of Mr. Markwick, seconded by Mr. Linstrom, it was resolved that the clerk should be appointed to the position on the terms stated. . Subsidy for Library. The Education Department, Wellington, wrote advising that the sum of £lO 10s 5d had been paid to the credit of the Board's account, as a subsidy to the library. It was pointed out in the letter that the books purchased should be books of a permanent value, and not those of merely a passing interest.—On the motion of Mr. Holt, seconded by Mr. Linstrom. it was resolved to refer the letter to the Library Committee. Anzac Day. A circular letter was received from the Department of Internal Affairs, respecting the commemoration of Anzac Day, and the observance in connection therewith. After some discussion it was, on the motion of Mr. Markwick, resolved that the chairman, and Messrs. Markwick, Linstrom, and Campbell should he a committee to deal with the matter, with power to act, any other members bein.tr invited to attend the committee meeting. National Efficiency. A circular letter was received from tin: National Ktliciency Board, advocating the curtailment of all but necessary work, and suggesting various modes of employing women in place ' of men. Mr. Markwick said the Board was I already conserving their resources, ! and it was impossible to make any , further restrictions. | that the clerk should reply to this effect. The Y.M.C.A. A circular letter was received from the Y.M.C.A.. asking for financial assistance on behalf of their work in connection with "the hoys" servile.' i at the front. Mr. Campbell mentioned that some of th« schoolboys were collecting on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. Institute. { It was resolved to reply that -the Hoard would be williim to assist in every possible way. Area of Town Boards. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr. Holt moved that the (jovernineiit ■ hull be requested to amend the Town Bard's Act so that Town p, ■;»r is inhht have an area of three square miles, instead of being restricted to an area of two square miles. Mr. Holt also suggested that a letter j in support of the chango should be sent to the Minister of Internal Affairs pointing out:—

(1) That the area of this Town District is within a few acres of the maximum area (two square miles) allowed by the Act. (2) That since the Town District was defined a considerable amount cf continguous lands has been subdivided into building lots, many of which have been already built upon. (3) That a. portion of these lands extends almost to the heart of the town, and can be more conveniently administered by the Town Board than by the County Council. (4) That the population of the* contiguous lands is not sufficient, when added to that of the Town District, to enable a borough to be constituted, unless large areas of purely farm lands were included. <5) That the Act already contemplates a larger area than two square miles being allowed, under certain circumstances.

6) That these facts show that under the present law a gap exists between the maximum size of a Town District, and the minimum for a borough, restricting the natural growth of the former in its progress to a state when the borough form of government is suitable, which restriction would be obviated by the amendment requested.

Mr. Lloyd seconded, and the motion was agreed to unanimously. Easter Monday Sports.

Mr. E. S. Cole waited on the Board on behalf of the Athletic Club, and asked that no charge should be made for the use of the Recreation Ground on Easter Monday, in view of the fact that the proceeds of the sports were to be given to patriotic funds. The application was acceded to. • Defaulting Ratepayers.

The clerk was instructed to take legal proceedings against all persons in arrears with their rates.