BURGLARIES AND VIOLENCE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 516, 23 March 1920, Page 2

BURGLARIES AND VIOLENCE.

One of the symptoms of social disease prevalent the world over to-day is the frequency of burglaries, often with violence. There is no likelihood of any speedy reduction in the average number of these crimes in any particular country, because the roots lie deep in our social system and cannot easily be eradicated. Possibly the use of flogging might have a salutary effect, for many hardened criminals, and also criminals in the making, have no great fear of imprisonment. At any rate, burglary and violence are now so very frequent that individuals and communities are naturally concerned about measures of protection. Pukekohe has been singularly fortunate; buiglars have at various times made their presence felt very keenly in both Auckland and Hamilton, and yet Pukekohe, which is the largest town between the two centres named, has been unmolested for some years. Our security has doubtlessly been due in a large measure to tlie local police force, which is very assiduous in promptly "moving on'' undesirable characters visiting the town. But we cannot always expect to escape; the more clever of the professional burglars come in such well-dressed, respectable looking guise that they *are not so open to a "move on" order as are the lower types that do not study appearances so well. In our last issue we referred to the need of a businessmen's association in Pukekohe, to deal, inter alia, with the question of holidays. If formed, such a body might also arrange to appoint and pay a nightwatchman, whose duties would be to keep an eye on business premises and give the alarm if he noted anything or anyone suspicious about the property and also to notify the brigade should a fire break out.

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. m Owing to the Easter holidays the next meeting of the Franklin County Council will be held on Tuesday, March 30. Latest reports in regard to the Prime Minister's illness are of a satisfactory nature. His speedy recovery will be welcomed by none move heartily than his Franklin constituents. The two popular Zane Grey stories, "The Riders of the Purple Sage" and "The Rainbow Trail," as previously announced, will be screened on Tuesday, March 30th, and April 14th, respectively. Full particulars will appear later. Skaters owning skates arc advised to bring them along to Mr. Thomas, skate expert I'd' Mr. Coady, and have them tuned up ready for the season. A session for practice will be held on Fiiday afternoon from :t.:so p.m., and on Monday from 2 p.m. The season commences on Mon day at 7.150 p.m. Children's classes will be held iluiing next week in the afternoon. The dale will be given later.

An interesting list of sales is announced to-day by the Franklin Farme.s' Auctioneering Company, including the usual produce sale on Friday, 2l>th, a sale of furniture and effect's at Papakura on Saturday, 27ih. and a similar clearance sale at West Road. Pukekohe, on Wednesday, March 31, the property of Mr. A. M. Sterling, who is leaving the district. On account of Friday of next week being Good Friday, the sale that week will be held on Thursday.