Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 224, 10 December 1927, Page 5

Province and Suburb

1 , ,- (From THE SUN’S Correspondents.) \ i TZ i _ _

CARDS AT WIRI KEEN COMPETITION A very enjoyable evening was held in the Wiri Public Hall on Thursday evening, when a 500 tournament was held. There was a good attendance and some very keen competition even- * tuated. The women's trophy was won } by Mrs. Blewett. and Mr. Norman i Walls captured the men's prize. A dainty supper, which was much enjoyed by all, was served by the women’s committee. A NEW ROAD WHAKATANE TO OPOTIKI The efforts of Whakatane local bodies j to secure a shorter main route between j Opotiki and Whakatane has advanced another stage. After careful investigations a suitable route, with easy grades, has been found shortening the distance between the two centres by about ten miles. The new route circles Ohiwa Harbour for several miles, joining the present main highway about 13 miles from Opotiki. An endeavour is to be mads by the Whakatane people to interest Opotiki in the new road and then it is : hoped to approach Government and . ask for substantial assistance toward the cost of the proposed main highway. , OPOTIKI ELECTRICITY I ERECTION OF LINES The monthly meeting of the Bay of Plenty Power Board was held in Opotiki on Thursday. The Northern Steamship Company offered the board special freight rates for cargo landed at Opotiki, Kutarere and Whakatane wharves. The Whakatane Borough Council of- j fered the board power for the pur- ‘ poses of supplying light to Taneatua t and also offered to supply the board \ with power at night. The offers were f declined. 1 The engineer’s report stated that c good progress had been made during t the month and up to date a total of 3,722 concrete poles had been made c at Opotiki, Waimana, Taneatua, ] Whakatane and Edgecumbe depots c and 1,134 poles had been distributed, t The erection of power lines was now under way. As a result of the canvass the total amount guaranteed now is £ 14,436. ' PAPATOETOE BUSY BEES ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE j The annual Christmas Tree, held in !\ connection with St. John’s Presbyter- £ ian Sunday School, Papatoetoe, was held last evening in the Great South c Road School Hall, when a large num- v ber of members of the Sunday Schools ° and their little friends attended to do ' homage to Santa Claus. This kindly J benefactor received a royal reception J: on his appearance and his popularity \ increased, when the gifts were being 1 distributed. The evening’s entertainment was organised by the members of the Busy Bees Club, and the members attended to the wants of the gathering at the various stalls erected in the hall. The following were in c charge: Sweet stall, Misses Hilda c Percy, Isabel Gow, Margaret McFar- Jland, Mildred Foster; fancy stall, 1 Misses Mary Wilson, Molly Sly, T , Thelma Wilson; lucky dips, Connie Sly, Alma Willis; Christmas tree, Mrs. Muir and members of the Busy Bees; refreshment stall, Busy Bees. The proceeds of th© function are to be devoted to the mission work connected with the church. The Rev. T. H. Roseveare extended thanks to the band of workers who had toiled to make a success of the evening’s entertainment. c MATAMATA COUNTY 2 £ DECEMBER MEETING " i There was a’ full attendance of -J i members of the Matamata County : j Council at the December meeting on } ! Friday last. L Considerable discussion followed the reading of a letter from the Hamilton ' Borough Council in regard to the col- 1 lection of heavy licence fees from 1 contractors using the Putaruru-Ara-puni Road. J On the motion of Councillors Judd ; and Darby it was decided to reply that 1 the road was built by the Public Works r Department and maintained by special agreement by Messrs. Armstrong, 1 Whitworth, Lt., and under the circumstances the county had not felt justified in collecting any fees so long as they kept their lorries to this road. In the circumstances the legal aspect did not enter into the question. t After some light remarks on the two machine-guns which have reposed on top of a high shelf in the council chamber, undisturbed for years, it was decided to reply to the War Museum r Committee, Wellington, that the coun- »- cil had no war trophies to return . * After trying two different times for : starting meetings since the introduction of daylight saving, all efforts to counter Mr. Sidey’s time was abandoned, and even such a rigid opponent * as Councillor Judd did not raise his voice in protest, when Councillors 1 Bruce and Wilson moved that the £ council revert to 10.30 a.m. as the * starting time of meetings. The altera- c j tion was agreed to unanimously. i c HEAVY TRAFFIC FEES PROBLEMS OF COLLECTION l The question of the allocation of \ heavy traffic licence fees has been a 1 vexed question with most of the local bodies situated in the Waikato and Upper Waikato districts. At present the allocation has been computed on a mileage basis, and the Hamilton , Borough Council has been the collect- ! ing body. This basis was that settled t upon after the matter had been thrashed out before a magistrate, and I as the period stipulated expires at the end of March, the Hamilton Borough t Council requested the Matamata ! ( County Council at its last meeting to J, state its views on the matter. Councillor Cox stated that town j boards would not object to the present ( proposals as they were enabled to } “pinch” fees. Councillor Judd held it was useless I to hold a conference as they were diametrically opposed to the views of ‘ ' boroughs and town boards. The chairman thought they might j let the present agreement stand for ; I three years as asked. Councillor Judd objected, and held j 1 , that they should confirm the agree- j I ment only from year to year. Eventually on the motion of Coun- 1 cillors Anderson and Darby it was de- < cided to confirm the present arrange- * ! ment for one year only, and to reconj sider the matter again at the end of ; : | that period. . J

PAPATOETOE TOWN BOARD BENEFIT CONCERT The revue, “Oh, Percy," was ren dered in the Papatoetoe Town Hal last evening by the Kewtie Kids, j company of some dozen juveniles, wh< presented an amusing and entertain ing show, including a number of danc ing and vocal solos; also a host o concerted numbers. The plot wa: very cleverly acted, and some of tin situations brought the house down. The proceeds were in aid of th« Papatoetoe Town Band, which ren dered a programme outside the hal prior to the entertainment commenc ing. PUNCHED ON THE NOSE PAYMENT FOR DEBT At the Te Awamutu Court on Friday morning, before Messrs. G. A Empson and S. H. Dunkley. J.P.'s. s Maori named Paki Te Ahipu was charged with assaulting John A. W Smith, and also with using obscem language in Lyon Street. Kihikihi. Smith gave evidence regarding th* assault, saying accused had punched him on the nose, in reply to a request for payment of a debt. Constable Boyle said Smith's nose was badly damaged. Their Worships decided to convict accused of assault, and impose a finof £1 and costs. The second charge would be dismissed. FARMERS’ UNION WOMEN'S DIVISION WORK The Pio Pio branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union has been successfully launched. The housekeeper appointed by the executive, Miss Wishaw, has been fully occupied during the past six weeks in giving assistance to farmers’ wives in the backblocks in cases of sickness or distress. Miss Wishaw will be available for settlers’ wives who are unable to get relief from their family duties, but cases of illness will take precedence. Members desiring assistance should communicate with the branch secretary at Pio Pio. PIGEON RACING BLENHEIM TO TAURANGA The Tauranga Club brought off a eery successful race for the Henderson Challenge Cup. The birds were iberated at Blenheim (.-89 miles airine) by Mr. R. Wanden at 7. a.m. The irst to arrive was Mr. H. Stevens’s ‘Sunlight” at 2.20 p.m. Thus the race occupied 7hr. 20min. Mr. Stevens ,vins th© cup, which will be held for me year, and outright a miniature cup. rhe full results are: Mr. H. Stevens’s p.c.c., Sunlight, 1; Mr. W. Stevens’s 0.c.c., Fugisall, 2; Mr. N. Prime’s b.c.c., Dreadnought, 3; Mr. E. Munro’s b.c.c. Uarini, 4. MANUNUI CLUB The Manunui Pigeon Club flow its old bird championship from Christchurch, and the match resulted: D. Andrews's Comet, 897.4 yards a minute, : J. Whittaker’s Sling, 894.6yd5, 2: D. Wilson’s Star third. PAPAKURA CARNIVAL CROWNING CEREMONY The crowning ceremony of the successful candidate, Miss Daisy Watson, Business Queen,” in the Papakura School Queen Carnival, took place imid great enthusiasm in the Paragon Theatre on Friday night. The tvhole ceremony passed off with a quiet iignity befitting the occasion. The :jueen was attended by Miss Mildred [Crancis (Sports Queen) and Miss Laura Brown (School Queen), as maids of honour. Mrs. Mcllwraith performed the duties of dame with distinction. Great credit is due to the Rev. W. C. Wood, chairman of the School Committee for the splendid way he stagemanaged the final ceremony. After the crowning ceremony had concluded the Pukekohe Musical Society, under the conductorship of Mr. Edwin Parker, contributed several part songs, which were well rendered and much enjoyed by the large audience. TAURANGA PROGRESS HARBOUR AND COUNTY WORKS The monthly meeting of the Tauranga Harbour Board, was held on Thursday, Mr. D. Grant presiding. As there was very little business the meeting was a short one. Sir W. Armstrong Whitworth Co. wrote offering to sell their jetty at the Mount, but the offer was declined. The tender of AARD’s service for [easing the old offices of the board was accepted: also the tender of W. Southan for the lease of the goods shed on the town wharf. The Regatta Club was granted the use of the board’s launch for regatta day. The Tauranga County Council lias made all preparations for extensive road and bridge works this summer. Several large contracts have been let, and tenders are being called for others It is estimated there will be an expenditure of from £15,000 to £20,000 during the summer and autumn months. WAITOMO COUNTY HOSPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS At the monthly meeting of the Waitomo County Council held at Te K.uiti on Friday the chairman. Mr. L. R Jones, presided. The secretary of the Waikato Hospital Board replied to the council’s communication regarding medical arrangements at the Te Kuiti Hospital stating that the board would provide £3OO per annum for the cost of medical attendance on patients other thar maternity cases; the matter to be reviewed in 12 months’ time. • The county's contribution to the hospital was over £682, and this had beer paid to date. Cr. C. K. Wilson drew attention tc the fact that statements had been published in outside papers that the council had defaulted in its payments and he moved that steps should b* taken to rectify these impressions. A , resolution to this effect was carried. Mr. Rolleston forwarded the Minis-

ter’s reply to the deputation which j waited upon him on September 21 j asking that a free grant of £B,OOO b€ ‘given for the maintenance of certain j county roads metalled out of loan moneys. Regret was ex--1 pressed that additional moneys could not be placed at the Minister’s disposal, and it was therefore impossible to aeeede to the council’* request. It was decided that another deputation wait on the Minister at the official opening of the Mokau bridge, which will take place shortly. Support was given to the Taumarunui Chamber of Commerce effort with 1 regard to improving reading conditions between Te Kuiti. Taumanmui . ■ i the National Park. | F. J. Hunt was granted permission jto erect a telephone line along the I Aramati Road. i A letter signed by ratepayers on K o Kie Road, Aria, regarding the unmet - ailed portion of the road, stated no | work had been done there for 1 $ I months. It was requested that tt» • - gineer make an inspection so that work could be done during the sum - inter months. It was decided to reply j that no funds were available for this work. A similar reply regarding Ohura | Road would bo forwarded. | The Secretary of the Marine Department wrote that on September 29. j IPI3. trustees were authorised to occur.y a site for a wharf and shed on Marakopa River for a period of 14 rears The licence was later transferred to the county council, and information tegarding the present controlling authority was requested. It was decided to reply that Kawhia Countv was now the controlling body. TE KUITI HUSTLER DESPATCHES WOOL CLIP A very good performance in the driving, shearing and railing of wool was accomplished by Mr. A. Julian, of Te Kuiti. recently. With the he’n of one man on foot. 1,550 ewes and lambs were driven from Mr. Julian's farm to Mr. A. Sutherland’s property, a distance of 5J miles on the Ahuroa road, where they were shorn and driven back on December 1. The wool clip of 19 bales was railed to Dalgety’s siding at Auckland on December 2. The whole of the operations were completed in six days, and constitutes an excellent performance. The vital statistics ior Te Kuiti for the month of November. 1927. compared with last year’s figures for the same period, are as follow: 1927. 3 926. Births S 12 Deaths 2 Marriages 2 3 RABBITING CONTRACT ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD In the Magistrate’s Court. Te Ruiti, before Mr. K. M. Watson. S.M.. James Alexander Meikle. of Oparure. Te Kuiti, rabbiter. claimed from Fred Stevens, of Oparure, farmer, a refund of the sum of £95 paid for a rabbiting contract, alleged to have been paid under misrepresentation, and also £ 25 damages. The plaintiff said that on June 4, 1927, defendant sold to hipi for £IOO the right to trap rabbits on the Monuwal Estate, representing that there, were 2,000 acres on the property, and that it was all cleared and very ‘rabI bity,” whereas the estate comprised I 1.100 acres, of which only 700 acres j were fit for rabbiting over. For the defence it was claimed that j plaintiff had been over the property and had paid over the money knowing what he was paying for. i After hearing Stevens and his son, his Worship gave judgment for defendant, and expressed the opinion that plaintiff knew the possibilities oC the country. TAUMARUNUI BOROUGH TRANSFER OF LICENCES At the fortnightly meeting of the Taumarunui Borough Council the j license of the Midland’s Hotel was transferred to Mrs. A. Bullymore, and that of the Central Hotel to Mr. C. Birkenshaw, in accordance with applications made to the council. Discussion took place on a suggestion to lease the borough stonccrusher, and it was decided that the Works Committee investigate the matter and bring down a report for the j next meeting. j It was resolved that a leaky bowser ' pump at the garage of Messrs. Bishara Bros, must be immediately repaired or the licence would be cancelled. Councillor Simmons brought up the matter of some firms using tripods for the sale of benzine from tins, and on his motion it was decided to prohibit the use of tripods on the footpaths. The Works Committee was in- ; structed to go into the matter of the disposal of dead timber in Sunshine ! Reserve, and to call tenders for the j work. It was decided that the assist- | ance of Mr. A. O. Riches be obtained in this connection. Mr. A. J. Langmuir wrote with re- | ference to repairs to the footpath at I the Hotel Cecil Corner, and stated • that as £l3O was paid in rates on the j section the matter should be remedied. : The council resolved to have this ; corner and also Domett’s Comer atI tended to at the earliest opportunity. On December 17 the members of i the council and the Mayor will make | an inspection of a reserve at the head 'of the Taringamotu Stream, with a view to its suitability as a possible new water-supply for the borough. An inspection of the Whakapapa area will ; be made early in the New Year. At a meeting of the Taumarunui j Domain Board a committee, consisting I of Councillors Broad, Thompson, Simmons, Dryland and the Mayor, Mr. O. E. Manson, was set up to co-operate i with the various sports bodies and citizens of the borough in the matter : of permanent improvements to the domain. Councillors considered the land should be vested in the borough, when I money for improvements could be bor- ! rowed. i i i