Province and Suburb

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 268, 2 February 1928, Page 14

Province and Suburb

(From THE SUN’S Correspondents) I . '

STILL MISSING SEARCH FOR MR. HUMPHREYS A thorough search is being carried out over the hills near Wairoa, by over 100 people well acquainted with the country, for Mr. R. H. Humphreys, who left his home at Rotorua on Friday morning to go for a long walk. Major Dansey and a party of Maoris started out yesterday to help the searchers. NORTHERN ELECTRICITY PROPOSED CENTRAL POWER At a meeting of the Hobson Electric Power Board at Dargaville on Tuesday, the board decided, on the suggestion of the Otaraatea County Council, to call a conference of all Northern local bodies to discuss a scheme submitted by Mr. B. Mandeno to harnes sOmapere Lake, to provide power for North Auckland. February 28 was suggested as a suitable date. The chairman’s suggestion that a report of an engineer be obtained as to the cost of the scheme was deferred until next meeting.

MANUNUI PIGEON CLUB YOUNG BIRD RACE The Manunui Pigeon Club opened its new series of races for young birds, for a trophy presented by Mr. McGaughian, which w'as annexed by Mr. T. Williams’s entry. Results: T. Williams’s Master Ben, 748.9yds a minute, 1; R. Patterson's Deluge, 698.1yds a minute, 2; D. Wilson’s Stand Star," 691.2yds a minute, 3; D. Andrew’s Lonesome, 676.5yds a minute, 4: J. Whittaker's entry, 651.7yds a minute, 5. WIRI BRIDGE CONCRETING WORK WELL ADVANCED Good progress is being made with the concreting of the northern approach to the Wiri bridge, on the Great South Road, and at present about three chains of the new work is under the bags. When this stretch is finished, the whole of the Manukau County portion of the Great South Road will be concreted. LATE MR. W. R. HARKNESS FUNERAL AT HAMILTON The late Mr. W. R. Harkness, Government cheese inspector, was buried at Hamilton yesterday. Representatives of various Government departments and cheese factory companies of the district, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and Lodge Beta, "Waikato, were present. The Rev. H. G. Gilbert, read the burial service and Mr. Carrick Nisbet, W.M. of Lodge Beta, Waikato, recited the Masonic service. THAMES VALLEY ELECTRICITY GREAT INCONVENIENCE CAUSED Great inconvenience is being caused farmers in the area controlled by the Thames Valley Power Board bv the continued interruption in the electricity supply, resulting from the operations of the Public Works Department ait Arapuni. Several dairy factories are being operated by steam power, and some hint at changing over to steam or oil power permanently if the position does not improve. FISHERMEN IN DANGER A CLOSE CALL While Eric Bell and Harry West were Ashing in the Waipa River on Wednesday afternoon. West, who cannot swim, got into difficulties and was swept by the current into deep water 6 L l Pl J U, i5 ed ln ful,y dressed and grabbed his companion, but they were swept over the rapids into a deep hole. Bell caught a willow branch, but West was again swept away. Bell went after him again, and seizing him by the hair, worked his way to safety It was a close call, for West was unconscious when finally rescued. RUSSELL NEWS COLLECTING RECORD SPECIMENS Admiral Sir James and Lady Fergusson, the Hon. Vernon and Mrs Reed, Mr. A. S. Paterson, of the “Dommion,” Dr. George Radmore and his brother are among visitors to the fishing grounds of the North. Mr. A. Archey, Curator of the Auckland Museum, has paid a visit to the fishing camps with a view to arranging for record big -game fish, when caught in the future, to be sent to the museum at Auckland. It is a pity that such records as the world’s largest mako caught on rod and line recently by Lord Grimthorpe, should have been lost to the Dominion,-and the Auckland Museum authorities are to be congratulated on taking the necessary action in this regard. The farmers are taking the opportunity of the dry weather to burn all the hill sides, consequently the surrounding district has a very burnt-up appearance. The H.M.S. Diomede is anchored in the harbour.

ROD AND GUN CLUB MEETING AT TAUMARUNUI At the monthly meeting of the Taumarunui Rod and Gun Club a letter was received from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, advising that it had been unanimously decided that no preference licences should be issued for deer-stalking this year. The number of licences issued had been cut down, and the society considered that every applicant should have the same chance in the ballot. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Guthrie and Brown, that the Taumarunui Rod and Gun Club write to the society, asking for the reason why the number of licences had been cut dtfwn. and drawing attention to uncalled for remarks passed at the council’s last meeting as reported in the Press. A further letter was to hand from the Auckland Acclimatisation Society, advising that under the annual allocation of pheasants the Taumarunui Rod and Gun Club had been granted 100 birds, delivery to be made early in February. The letter pointed out various protective points that should be observed in the liberation of young birds, and the propagation of the species, and also urged the club to make every effort to increase the sale of shooting licences this year. On the motion of Messrs. Harris and Richards, the club decided to write thanking the society fo.r its helpful suggestions, and promising to make every eifort to see they were carried out. At the same time it was decided to request that Mr. W. Hughes, a local breeder, be allowed to supply 70 of the pheasants on the grounds that local breeders should have preference, that this course would save freight, ’

and that the birds were acclimatised. The club passed a vote of thanks to Mr. A. Saddler for the donation- of two cups. It was resolved to write to Auckland £or supplies of poison to keep down pests, and thus assist in conserving game. VITAL STATISTICS FIGURES FOR FRANKLIN vital statistics tor Franklin for the month of January are as follow, the figures in parentheses being for the corresponding period of 1927: Pukekohe.—Births, 17 (19); deaths, 4 (6); rdarriages, 4 (1). Tuakau.—Births, 2 (3); deaths, nil (nil); marriages, 1 (i). Waiuku.—Births, 6 (10); deaths, nil (1); marriages, 2 (1). Papakura.—Births, 8; deaths, 4marriages, 2. The 1927 figures are not not available. LARRIKINS AT PUKEKOHE TAUGHT A LESSON The depredations of two Auckland youths, Francis Lewin Milne and William Baines Purser, were unfolded in the Pukekohe Court yesterday. Having journeyed to Pukekohe on September 25 last with a city football team and defeated a local team, they were apparently overjoyed with their win, for after having attended a dance at Paerata they "ratted” electric light bulbs and shades from outside a host of shops, in the early hours of Sunday morning. They, however, recognised the long arm of the law, and dumped their booty subsequently. Neither of the lads appeared to face the music, but one elected to send his legal adviser, who suggested that the matter was over-estimated, ten counts being preferred. The Magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean: It is an ordinary act of larrikinism and a curious form of amusement. Each was fined £3 and ordered to make restitution amounting to £3 18s each. Default was fixed at 14 cays, accused being allowed a fortnight in which to pay. The suppression of names was refused. FORTY YEARS’ SERVICE FATHER SMIER’S ANNIVERSARY To-day, February 2, marks the 40th anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Father Smiers, now in charge of St. Mary’s parish, Opotiki. The reverend gentleman was born on February 5, 1856, in Holland and celebrates his 72nd birthday on Sunday. He was ordained in Salford, England, by Monsignor, afterwards Cardinal Vaughan, and came to New Zealand shortly afterwards. He was first stationed at Matata for 11 months and then for seven years was the first priest in charge of the Waihi-Taupo district, which extended all over the Bay of Plenty, including Tauranga and Opotiki. He next relieved at Puhoi for one year and then was appointed first priest at Whangarei, where he stayed 14 —ears, his district extending all over the Kaipara. ' He was stationed a few months at Taumarunui and Otahuhu. After that he was appointed chaplain of the Sacred Heart College for two years, coming to Opotiki in 1913, where he has been ever since. The anniversary will be celebrated to-day. REV. FATHER DUFFY WELCOMED TO MANUREWA A large number of the residents of Manurewa gathered in the town hall last evening for the purpose of extending a welcome to the Rev. Father Duffy, who has been transferred to the parish from Taumarunui. All denominations were represented at the function, which took the form of a social evening. The chairman, Mr. Robert Frost, extended a hearty welcome to the father, assuring him of the wholehearted support of every churchgoing member of Manurewa, independent of his or her denomination, and expressing pleasure *at welcoming the first residential priest to the parish. Mention was also made of the growth of Catholicism in Manurewa, the first church being held in a pri-

vate house. After a lapse of some time the picture theatre was taken, and to-day the parishioners were the proud possessors of a church building of their own. Father Duffy, in a happy vein, expressed his appreciation of the very cordial welcome extended to him by his future parishioners, and hoped, by co-operation, to strengthen the bonds of their Church, and also all the churches of the district. Other speakers were Rev. Father Wright,' 6f Otahuhu: Dr. C. Jenkin, of Manurewa. The Rev. Father Dumphney, of Otahuhu, was also present. During the evening the following contributed a very enjoyable musical programme: Pianoforte solo. Miss Darby; song, Mrs. > Glenning; song, Mr. Owens; elocutionary item, Mrs. Wrigley; song, Miss Flo Farrow; song, Madame Aileen Frost, who also as accompanist. The guest -of the evening was the recipient of a very handsome dinner set, subscribed for by the parishioners of Manurewa. PUKEKOHE COURT TRAFFIC PROSECUTIONS As the result of a motor collision on the Waiuku-Papakura Road on the night of December 4, Geoffrey Clark, a Waiau Pa farmer, who was charged at the Pukekohe Court yesterday with negligent driving and failing to stop, is now £6 9s lOd poorer. From evidence it was gleaned that H. C. Emson, a Waiuku farmer, was returning home from Auckland when he became dazzled with the approaching headlights of Clark's car at a narrow portion of the highway. He brought his vehicle to a standstill, and accused when passing at a reasonable rate of speed tore off a front wheei, failing to stop after the mishap. Evidence given by a police constable showed that there was a width of 4ft of loose metal on Clark’s side and 3ft on Emson’s. The defendant denied any knowledge of the mishap, and stated that he failed to hear the crash from inside of his car, a closed model. An outside v/itness, W. J. Robinson, who followed the ill-fated car a short while afterward, contended that caution was required at the particular spot. Mr. W. B. McKean, S.M.. took the same view; he fined Clark £1 on each count and ordered the payment of £4 9s lOd costs. In another collision case, in which T. George, an islander, residing at Takanini, while riding a motor-cycle with a female pillion passenger, col-

lided with a motor-car driven by a Greenwood, of Otahuhu, at the Drury corner on the Great South Road the former was fined £1 and ordered to pay £3 7s 3d in costs. * • • For driving a motor-car through the township of Pokeno on November W at a speed of 47 7-18 miles an hoar Morris C. Smith was lined £4 with costs. EUCHRE TOURNAMENT ODDFELLOWS COMPETE Members of the. Loyal Pukekohe Lodge, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, visited Drury on Tuesday evening to compete for the euchre challenge shield. After a close contest, in which K players participated, the visitors were defeated by 37 games to 35. Having won the first round by a comfortable margin, Pukekohe will meet Pokeno, who recently beat Tuakau, in the final. BIRKENHEAD BOROUGH HASTENING LOAN PROPOSALS At a meeting of the Birkenhead Borough Council yesterday evening, presided over by the Mayor, Mr. E. G. Skeates, it was agreed to hasten the loan proposals for a recreation ground at Birkdale, and swimming baths, bathing sheds and boat lockers at the waterfront, near the Birkenhead Wharf. It was decided that, at the j next meeting, the desirability of including, in the loan programme, a proposal for the extended water services should be considered. A letter was received from the Birkenhead Ratepayers’ and Residents Association, urging the provision ol adequate fire-fighting apparatus, ana restating the association’s readiness to assist in any possible way. Licences were granted to two motorcars to ply as omnibuses under the borough by-laws. The engineer reported that seven men were employed on relief workit Hinemoa Park. The sum of £176 naa so far been expended on relief vr*#*a out of a n agreed amount of £249. The exchange of about five ■£*** of land in the Birkenhead Domain n» cemetery extension purposes was agreed to. ... i Arrangements were concluded the Waitemata County Council to j the reconstruction of portion of Onew» • Road, between the Xorthcote and Birkenhead borough boundaries.