LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 407, 6 September 1918, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Messrs. Alfred Bucklandand Sons are to hold their usual monthly stock sale at Tu ikau next Thursday. The usual monthly moetiug of the VVaikato River Board is to be held at Meioer to morrow (Baturday).

Ir eluded in a list of soldiers notified as returning to New Zealand shortly is the name of Pte. R. Schlaepfor, son of Mr John Schlaepfer, of Pukekohe.

Nominations for membership of the Papakura and Mercer Town Boards will close at noon on Wednesday next, and similarly in the rase of the Manurewa Town Board at noon on Thursday next.

Official notice has bean issued by the Defence Department that for gallantry on the field of battle Trooper J. P. Clark, of Waiau Pa, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, whilst Sig.-Sergt. James McGahan, of Tuakau, and Rifleman E. Hill, of Karaka, lnve gained the military medal. The new Drury Central railway station is likely to be completed and brought into use by the end of November and then the present stations at Drury and Runciman will be closed. Following this the work of lowering and deviating the line at the Drury and Runciman ends will be put in hand so that overhead road traffic bridges will take the place of the existing level crossings. The truth of the old adage "Never put off till to-morrow what you can ao to-day, was exemplified at the meeting of the Tuakau Town Board on Tuesday last when a contract price of 2s per cubic yard for earth work, as Accepted by the Board last April, had to be advanced to 2s 2d as the result of the contractor intimating that through increased cost of horse feed and labonr he could not now carry out the work at the rate originally agreed upon, bad weather having necessitated its delay in commencement.

That a favourable result would be secured at the poll of ratepayers of the Borough of Pukekohe on the proposal to raise a loan of £2500 for the purchase of a site in Pukekohe for a technical high school was the general impression and this led to comparatively little interest being taken in the poll, which was held on Wednesday last, only 113 ratepayers taking the trouble to vote. The loan was carried by a majority of 83, the voting being 98 "for" and 15 " against." Although willing at all times to meet the convenience of counsel or litigants appearing in person by allowing cases down for hearing at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court to be temporarily adjourned if application is made accordingly Mr F. E. Hunt, S.M. made it evident yesterday that he expects due respect to be paid to the Court in the way of punctuality being observed. Upon a number of being called without response His Worship sternly announced " Struck out." The Pukekohe District Patriotic Committee met in the Borough Council Chambers on Tuesday evening to consider what steps could be taken to raise the balance of £IOO wanted to make up Pukekohe's contribution to the Bed Cross Fund to £IOOO. Mr C. K. Lawrie presided. Mr J. J. Coady, through Mr Barter, offered to give an entertainment next Tuesday evening for the benefit of the fund. The offer was accepted and Mr Coady was thanked for the same. Mr B. Bilkey offered a £5 war bond certificate to be raffled for and Mr Barter donated a £1 war bond certificate as a second prize. The offers were accepted with thanks. The following sub-com-mittee was set up to carry the effort into effect, viz., Messrs Boadley, Dell, Grigor, Barter and the Chairman, with power to add to their cumber. Purchasers of tickets for admission to the pictures will secure chances to win the war certificates in connection with the Art Union. It was decided to appeal to the public generally for gifts of edibles and articles of all descriptions for a jumble sale to be held in the near future.

At the annual meeting of the N.Z Dairy Association last Friday Mr. Anderson moved: " That this meeting is of opinion that the time has arrived when a chairman of directors should be appointed, such chairman to assist the managing director and attend all meetings, the managing director to act in the advisory capacity." During Mr Pacey's recent illness, said Mr Anderson, it had been found impossible to get certain business done. That was a rotten position. The managing director was an employee, and one of the shareholders should preside at the annual meeting. Mr H. E. Pacey (Managing Director) pointed out that the matter referred to the Articles of Association, and could only be dealt with by notice of motion. The articles provided that the Managing Director should be the chairman. This was the usual provision, and they had good precedent for their position. He did not think the affairs of the Association suffered through his illness. Mr T. Young (Te Awamutn) agreed that it would be a good thing to have a farmer in the office. Probably the position would be reviewed later. That was in no sense said m a spirit of no-con-fidence in Mr Pacey, but because he thought it would perhaps be better when farmers visited the office on business if they had a farmer in the chair to meet rhem. Mr Chapman considered it would be a mistake to place a farmer in the position. That would mean that a man who had the business at his finger-ends would be playing second fiddle to one without his - expert knowledge. Other speakers agreed. 0-0 stitert that ii v( u d take years to t aio a farnrr f°r th° portion. " But if Prohibition is carried we won't be able to get decent hotel accommodation," is an argument that is heard occasionally. Weigh the whole matter up impartially. Rarely, if ever, is a larger bar trade done by the hotel that gives the best service to the travelling j nblic. National Prohibition is in f »ree in the sister Dominion of Canada, and

it was found that instead of adversely affecting hotel servic •, quite the opposite resulted. Tim hotel had to give better service in order to get its share of the custom of travellers, and hence the general standard has been raised. Bgn the Alliance Monster Petititon asking for a poll. Be 6ure you sign the right Petition! Look cirefully, or you may be induced to make a proposal asking for nationalisation of the Drink TiJlic with all its attendant evils. The Alliance Monster Petition is the one that efery patriotic j citizen should support. Siga it and j no other.—,'Advt\

A case of diphtheria at Paerata and another at Pukekohe West were notified to the Health Department on Wednesday.

An "in memoriam" service in honour of the late Rifleman Q. Blake is to be held on Sunday morning in the Pukekohe Presbyterian Church.

A clearing sale on behalf of Mr J. Hickey is to be held by Messrs J. T. Stembridge and Co. on the property at Pukekohe next Wednesday. For particulars see advt.

The usual monthly meeting of the Manukau County Council is due to be held in Auckland on Tuesday next, the Raglan County Council will hold its bi-monthly meeting at Ngaruawahia on Wednesday, and the Franklin County Council meets at Pukekohe on Thursday.

The quarterly meeting of the Franklin Licensing Committee was held yesterday at the Pukekohe Courthouse, Mr F. K. Hunt S.M. presiding. The following transfers were approved of, viz, Howick Hotel from W. H. Hickey to Stephen Keogh, and Globe Hotel, Papakura, Mrs 1. Smith to J. R. Fraser. Giving evidence at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court yesterday in a pigeon shooting case a witness volunteered the information that he had lunched with the accused but he assured His Worship that the repast did not include pigeon pie. Then the Court laughed.

With a view of securing a full complement of "goods" to be offered for disposal at the forthcoming jumble sale in Fukekohe that is being promoted in order that Pukekohe'a contribution to the Red Cross fund may be made up to £IOOO an appeal, initiated by Mr C. Boadley, is put forward for all poultry keepers to donate at least one head of poultry and for the lady-chiefs of every household to contribute an Xmas pudding of not less thin lib in weight. The late Mr Alexander Townsend, who died at his residence at Papakura, at the age of 71 years, on Thursday of last week, was born in Carrickfergus, Ireland. He landed in New Zealand some 48 or 49 years ago and went through all the hard times of the early days of the Dominion. He first lived in Auckland fora few months and then settled down on the land at Bama Bama where he stayed until four years ago, when he gave up farming to reside at Papakura. He is survived by Mrs Townsend, five sons and seven daughters. Arrangements for the forthcoming Spring Flower Show promoted by St. James' Ohurch, to be held in the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, on Thursday and Friday, the 19 th and 20th inst, are now well forward and promise to excel all previous efforts both from a spectacular point of view and also as a means of providing a pleasant and entertaining social gathering for the residents of the district. The star attraction in the cut bloom section will be a magnificent display of daffodils from leading Auckland growers and also from Pukekohe and the surrounding districts. The Entertainment Committee are arranging an attractive sports programme a series of tugs of war being the special attraction. Entries for the show close on Monday, the 16th inst. Pursuing certain investigations recently in the vicinity of Glen Murray Constable Taylor, of Tuakau, happened to chance on a bush-falling camp occupied by a Dalmatian, named Dominic Yitali, with whom his brother Mick lived. The Constable's suspicions as to illegal shooting were aroused wh°n a profusion of feathers of native pigeons met his gaze. He accordingly interviewed the brothers on the subject and some heated words passed, during which Dominic Vitali remarked <- Aman would be better in Turkey than under New Zealand laws" whilst Mick exclaimed " New Zea'and laws change with the moon ant instead of it being God's own country it is hell.' The sequel was that at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court yesterday Dominic was charged before Mr F. K. Hunt, SM. with having shot a native pigeon, lie also being further charged, in conjunction with his brother, of having been guilty of seditious utterances Mr R. E N. Ma .thews appeared for the brothers, the defence being a denial of both charges In regard to 'he pigeon shooting charge the Magistrate convicted and imposed a penalty of £o and ordered Dominic also to p*y £5 14s the amount of costs that had been incurred in the case. Whilst accepting Constable Taylor's state ment as to the words uttered by the brothers His Worship recognised that the defendants had evidently got excited when spoken to by the Constable aud he sa.id he would not enter a conviction as such might entail their interment which was unnecessary in that instance since they bore good characters and were good workmen. He accordingly dismissed that charge.

THE FLETCHER MILKING MACHINE possesses distinct advantage, which make it worthy of even dairy farmer's investigation The system is mechanical!) driven and consequently every operation can be definitely followed, easily understood and kept in the highest state of efficiency, The working parts are few and these are strong and simple ensuring low upkeep and the utmost reliability. While the design is the simplest, the " Fletcher " machine has proved the most effective in use to-day. It not only milks the cows thoroughly, but enables the highest milk test to be reached and maintained. An important factor contributing towards this is the sanitary system on which the " Flet cher " works. [All parts of the machine are readily accessible for cleaning and, when working, vacuum is used to keep all impurities from the milk. Further particulars will be gladly given : Fletcher Mii.kinc; Machine Comi'vw Hamilton. Kubber stamps of all description may t e ordered at the office of the Tiroes,

An unusual case came on for hearing at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court yesterday when two Maoris appeared to answer charges of cutting the ears off a heifer skin, and the ears off five sheep skins. Both pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay 7s Court costs. The Magistrate pointed out that the ears constituted the only available trace in the event of cattle stealing taking place and that was why their retention was insisted on.

When an undefended civil action was called at the Pukekohe Magistrate's Court yesterday in respect of a claim by a country hotel-keeper for £5 Os 9d and plaintiff's Counsel applied for judgment by default the Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt 8.M.) asked for particulars of items charged for. A reference to the statement of claim showed that the items were liquor supplied £3 15s, damage to bedroom furniture £l, and meals ss. His Worship insisted that evidence in regard to the liquor being sold should be forthcoming and adjourned the case to the next Court for the plaintiff's attendance. The motor car that was " commas deered " in the Auckland Domain on Saturday, and was taken to Putaruru before its occupants were stopped by the police, became bogged, it appears at Mere Mere at the foot of the Rangiriri Hill on Sunday. A youth, named Bert Qlass, who lives near by, assisted with his horse to haul the car out of the mud. In return for his services he was presented by the motor driver with a tin of benzine. This tin has by a special mark on it been since recognised as the one that was stolen from Mr. Douglas' launch as referred to under our Mercer heading. The "purloiners" of the car are theie» fore likely to be also prosecuted in regard to the launch incident. That the working of the Military Setvice Act are attended with injustice are inatarced in regard to Mr Henry Tooman, of Pukekohe East. He voluntarily enlisted as a member of the 13th Reinforcement Draft and proceeded to Trentham Camp, where on the day of his arrival he was rejected as medically unfit for active service. On reading in the papers that volunteers were liable to reexamination he went to Auckland but was told by the military authorities there that there was no necessity for him to attend until he was duly notified. Subsequently, vie, in September of last year, his name wai drawn in One of the final ballots of the single men and an appeal forrft was duly sent him, of which he did not desire to take advantagA. Receiving no intimation that he was to present himself for medical examination, despite several applications at the post office, he concluded that his earlier rejection at Trentham Camp was responsible for the same and that his obligations had ceased. Last Wednesday, ihowever, he was arrested by the civil police on a warrant charging him with having failed to present himself, as ordered, for medical examination on May 31st last and on being taken to Aucklaid he was handed over to the military authorities and undeiwant the unpleasant experience of being put into a cell at Devonport barracks for the night. Yesterday morning he was convey el backjjSo Auckland and on being examined by the Medical Board he was classed C2. He was next taken into a room, in which some jffieers were sitting apparently on court-martial business, and was charged under the terms of the warrant already referred to. He pleaded not guilty and after ex* planations he was released, being new once more a free man Mr Tooman complains bitterly of the indignity which he has suffered and claims that it ifc a very poor return for his attempts, to which he voluntarily gave effect, to serve his King and Oountrv.