South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 7 April 1928, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporters.)

MASTERS AND OLD BOYS. ANNUAL REUNION AT HAWERA. Hawera Technical High School old boys living in South Taranaki, and the present masters of the school gathered round the banquet table on Wednesday evening, when Mr. A. Walker presided over the attendance of forty. The school was holding her own, said the chairman in proposing the toast of Alma Mater. By the successes achieved in scholarship, football and cricket higher ideals were being created for the schoolboys and the old boys’ association. While praising those who merited it, the headmaster, Mr. A. Gray, in reply, said there was plenty of scope for.the old boy.s’ energy. The school needed a piano, an assembly hall, a gymnasium and a swimming pool. The Old Girls’ Association and what it had achieved, were mentioned by Messrs Ralph Sage and L. Hulbert. It was a very live association, said Mr. Sage. • The way the Old Boys’ Association matters were being advanced was the subject of congratulations by Mr. W. W. Thomas. Last year he had expressed the hope that old boys’ sports activities would be formulated. The cricket club had later been formed and its success in its initial year had been undoubted. Tributes were paid by Mr. Gray to the work done by the chairman (Mr. R. S. Sage) and the members of the Board of Governors. "I took up the work, of the Hawera Technical High School more or less as a hobby, when I found Hawera had no high school,” sold Mr. Sage. “I could see years ago that there was no hope of keeping my children home and still giving them an education in keeping with the increasing desire for higher efficiency, so I and some others moved in the matter.” The fact that so many were sitting around the table, he said, showed the idea had been a sound one. He agreed he would be happy to give up the control of the school administration, when the time came, to old boys. He congratulated the teaching staff on its work. “When you leave school your education is not finished,” said Mr. Larkman, the engineering master. "There are all kinds of study you may pursue. Take yourself by the scruff of the neck and make yourself get on.” The camaraderie spirit apparent was commented upon by Mr. J. C. Findlater, who believed it was continued from school day associations. The need for and the power of old boys’ associations were stressed by Mr. Whitehead, science master. WHAT’S IN A NAME! A FALSEHOOD BOWLED OUT. MOTORIST FINED FOR DECEPTION. "Horace A. Tweedale’s” name was not Tweedale, but John William Jaekson, when Inspector Hunt asked him what his name was on March 27, when his car stalled on the intersection of Union and High Streets and he was conversing with two ladies. Inspector Hunt was insistent, however, and demanded Tweedale’s license. The license said “Tweedale,” not "Jackson,” so Tweedale agreed the license was correct. The driver Was fined 30s (costs 10s) by Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., on Thursday. Defendant was fined 5 s on a plea of guilty for stopping his ear within eleven feet of the corner.

The story of the occurrence was that the inspector passed by and warned defendant that his car .should not be pulled up on the intersection. The reply had been “Righto!” A couple of chains down the street the inspector looked back and the ear had not been moved, and defendant was still talking to the ladies. Inspector Hunt- asked why he had not -moved round . the. corner. “What’s the idea?” defendant had asked, and when asked for his name and address had asked “What is the caper?” The wrong ■name had been .given. The problem was, which name was correct? The driver replied that the name on the license was correct, and he had given the name Jackson "because he was bustled.”

Because he was so accustomed to give his employer’s name he had become bustled and given Jackson as his own name, said counsel for defendant. Counsel thought the information should be dismissed as, if a. conviction was entered for giving a false name, it "would 'be difficult to explain away should there be any further court case.

“He did it,” said Mr. Barton, "because he wished to give a false -name. If inquiries as to the license had not been made by the inspector and defendant howled out immediately, he would have escaped. He gave the wrong name because he wanted to do it.” “It is so awkward to explain away,” said counsel. "But it was in his own hands at the time,” said the magistrate. “In my experience I have had several cases very similar. If Tweedale had escaped the police would have gone to Jackson, .who would have proved an-alibi and told the police to find out who had the car on that night, or else have said he didn't know.” POLICE COURT NEWS. MISCELLANEOUS CONVICTIONS. - ; Lawrence Corrigan paid £lO yesterday morning on account of arrears amounting to £207 5s Id for the support of his two children. The magistrate asked why he had not paid for so long and yet on the day of the hearing of the ease was able, to pay £lO in one lump. "You seem to think it part of the game,” said Mr. Barton, "not to pay a.nd then when found by the police to pay like this. You are liable to imprisonment and you deserve to get it.” The sentence was imprisonment for 14 days with hard labour, defendant to be released on pavment of £lO on' account of arrears, “You will get a long *en-

tence if you come up again,” added the magistrate. “He goes to all the enjoyments around the country,” said Sergeant Henry. “If he paid £1 a week the department would not trouble him.”

A plea for a fine was made by defendant, the magistrate replying that he would not give Corrigan the option of a fine as be would sooner have the money go towards the maintenance. The sentence was, however, made provisional on payment of £lO on account of arrears instead of an unqualified sentence. With no rear number plate s attached to his car, Gordon Mocken drove up Princes Street and was noticed by Constable Mullan at about 8.30 p.m. The excuse had been that the ear had just come out of the garage and the number had been omitted. "I give him the benefit of the doubt and will fine him 10-s, with costs 10s,” said Mr. Barton. On the further charge of having only one headlight and that on the left-hand side and out of action, defendant was fined £1 (costs 10s). Defendant said he had driven, from Patea ignorant of the conditions referred to. NO LICENSE FOR 12 MONTHS. Asked by Inspector Hunt to produce his license, Tere Kururangi failed to do so. “He has not had a license for twelve months,” said Mr. Hunt, “and admitted it.” "He told me,” said counsel with a smile, "he quite overlooked it.” A fine of £2 (costs 10s) was imposed. Robert Greenbanks did not pay for the maintenance of his child as ordered, and had arrears amounting to £22 2s 9d still owing. He did not appear. ’’l think he could find plenty of work if he would,” said.counsel for complainant. "He is fit and strong and, in fact, is a first-class footballer.” The sentence in default was- three weeks’ imprisonment, failing non-payment of £7 10s on account of arrears. HARD LABOUR FOR HUSBAND. The fourth summons of Tere Kururangi, of Hawera, Native interpreter, before the court on maintenance proceedings at the suit of his wife, resulted in his being sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour, with a proviso that ho be released on payment of £lO on account of arrears amounting to £27 to March 8, and £37 to date, with solicitor’s fee £.l Is and costs of arregt. BIG BLAZE NEAR OKAIAWA. THE ORIGIN A MYSTERY. To return home late on Thursday after spending the afternoon in Hawera to find their house 1 burned down was the experience of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Simmons, of Division Road, Okaiawa. At about 1 o’clock Mr. and Mrs. Simmons had gone to Hawera, leaving everything apparently safe. A boy passed near the house at 2.30 p.m. and there were no signs of fire then, yet when Mr. Simmons returned a few hours later he was greeted by a scene of desolation. Mr. Simmons could advance no theory as to the cause of the fire. The building, which comprised five rooms, was insured in the Southern Union Office and the furniture was covered in the same office for £250.

SCOUTS IK CAMP AT MANAIA. FOUR DAYS UNDER CANVASS. Sixty Seouts from Opunake, Hawera, Mokoia, Normanby and Manaia are at the Manaia domain on the occasion for the annual Easter camp. The eamp is in charge of the camp commandant, Colonel Sutherland, camp adjutant. Cubmaster C. Hitchcock, camp quartermaster Mr. J. D. Robertson, and Scoutmasters N. Qowie, A/C. Lane, Assistant Scoutmaster Paine. To 7 day the Scouts march to Kaupokoliui beach, where Mr. Mackie is to deliver a lecture on nature ‘study and Assistant-ScOutmaster Lane one on tracking. In addition swimming tests are to be conducted. The Rev. H. Miller will conduct service at the camp to-morrow morning, while in tfie afternoon the Manaia band is to give a programme. The camp will conclude on Mcnday with a mock attack on the blockhouse, and the boys are to break camp in the afternoon and return to their homes. "LIVING ON THE TAXPAYERS.” SIX MONTHS FOR A DEFAULTER. THREE CHILDREN KEPT BY STATE. Remarking that he would find opportunity for Charles ’ Henry Hopkinson, of Ararata, to earn money and support his three children and receive punishment' for default in observance of a court order for maintenance, Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., on Thursday sentenced defendant to six months’ hard labour with a direction that after the first three months the money earned should be paid for the support of Hopkinson’s children. Arrears amounted to £B4 on the order made in 1926 for payment of £5 per month. "This man is living on the taxpayers,” said Mr. Barton, who described defendant as the class of man who, when-his dependents were being kept by the State, evaded payment and left it to the community to maintain his children. It was unfortunate that no institution existed wherein defaulting husbands could be detained and made to earn sufficient to support their dependents. It was always a problem, the magistrate said, to know how to deal with such defaulters, because short terms of imprisonment were not productive of earnings. Examined by the magistrate, defendant said he had had periods of unemployment and had not been able to pay arrears nor obey the order of the court. "Where were yoti last Saturday night” demanded Sergeant Henry. “I 'was in Hawera.” “What were you doing "Just in the Iowa?

"Did you go to the pictures?”—"Yes.” "What about last Saturday week; did you go to the pictures then?”—“Yes.”

"You are not very concerned about paying the maintenance, are you? You don’t care, do you?”—“Yes, I do.” "How much did you pay for those boots you are wearing “Twenty-one shillings.” "When did you buy those boots?” demanded the magistrate sternly.—Defendant did not remember. "You can go to pictures, buy new boots for yourself and have a good time, but your children receive nothing from you,” expostulated the sergeant. CYCLIST DROVE NEGLIGENTLY. ACCIDENT AT AN INTERSECTION. Brian Douglas Nicholas, a youthful motor-cyclist from Matapu, was convicted of negligent driving and was ordered to pay costs Gs at the Hawera Court on Thursday. As Nicholas had had his license cancelled for some weeks on the same ease, which arose out of a collision at the intersection of Surrey and Wilson Streets, and the present appearance was the result of a successful application for a re-hearing, the magistrate said he thought defendant had learned his lesson and he would not be punished further. “I am satisfied he was negligent,” said the magistrate in answer to counsel’s contention that because there was an accident both parties were not necessarily negligent. He said he! was convinced that an accident on a rectangular intersection could not happen in daylight without negligence. COLLISION ON TONGAHOE HILL. The Tongahoe hill was the scene of another motor-car accident on Saturday afternoon, when a head-on collision occurred between a three-seater car driven by Mr. C. J. Hawken, who was proceeding from Mokoia, and a. service bus. Slight cuts were sustained by the lady passenger in Mr. Hawken’s car, which was very extensively damaged. It is understood that Mr. Haw-ken was trying to avoid a restive horse when the service car came round the bend. FAILURE OF FARMING VENTURE. NORMANBBY LABOURER FILES. Only one creditor, attended the meeting summoned before the Deputy Official Assignee (Mr. R. 8. Sage) on Thursday in the bankrupt estate of Arthur Duggan, a labourer of Normanby, and the meeting lapsed. The creditor present was Mr. T. King, of Okaiawa. Bankrupt was present and was represented by Mr. L. A. Taylor. The financial statement revealed unsecured debts totalling £215 9s 3d, comprising Newton King Ltd. (Hawera), £104; Welsh, McOarty, Beechey and Houston (Hawera), £72; Booth, Macdonald, Ltd. (Christchurch), £6 3s Cd; Taranaki Daily News, £5 7s; Dr. Davies (Manaia), £4; Kanpokonui Dairy Co., £l6; W. A. Parkinson and Co. (Hawera), £7 18s 9d.

“A farm of 143 acres at Auroa laving come back to my father as mortgagee, I I bought it from him at £3B per acre in 1921,” said bankrupt’s written statement. "By arrangement I paid £2OO to prior mortgagees and spent another £550 on stock. For the first year sharemilkers were put on, but this venture was a failure. The property was then leased to John Hurliman, who kept it for one year and paid six months’ rent. From the proceeds of the sale of my stock before I leased the property I paid off a mortgage of, £3OO, which absorbed all my money. "I then went back to the farin', the Farmers’ Co-op. . financing ' me. Till mid-winter of 1926 I carried bn, but was compelled to hold a sale to pay the interest duo u'ndbF tire mortgages. The sale was a poor one and left me stranded, so I abandoned the farm to my father. Since then I have done casual work, and pressure by Booth and Macdonald Ltd. has compelled me to seek the protection of the bankruptcy court. I have a . wife and three children and the furniture we. have was bought by my wife four years ago.” Questioned by the Deputy Official As : signee, bankrupt said . nearly all the debts were incurred in connection with the farm. He had a young herd of 50 odd cows and they had not done at all well, the returns being between 9000 and IOjOGOIb of butter-fat. He estimated the furniture to be worth about £35. Bankrupt said he was now in employment.

SAFEGUARDING WORKMEN. SCA FFAI:!: 1 R l‘> ■ lILATION S PR EA< ’H. “I am satisfied that the scaffolding was substantially safe, although it did not comply with the regulations,” remarked Mr. J. 8. Barton, S.M., at the Hawera Court on Thursday in fining Arthur Brown, contractor of Hawera, £1 and costs £1 8s 2d for a breach of the scaffolding regulations during the erection of a building in Union Street. The scaffold inspector outlined several minor irregularities in the scaffolding, notably that the ledger had been nailed instead of bolted or roped. The Magistrate: In its structure would you say it was unsafe? Tiie inspector: Not as regards the standards, but the ledger should have been lashed or bolted. He explained that there was no guard rail and two men had been working on the scaffolding when he paid his visit. For defendant, -who pleaded guilty, counsel said the scaffolding at the rear of the building was not completed but, if the inspector said two men had been working On the scaffolding he would accept it. Defendant claimed that the scaffolding was quite safe, since he had tested it with Bewt qf- cement

Counsel referred to the high standing of defendant in the building trade, and pointed out that that was his first appearance before the Court for any breach. Th© Magistrate said h© was prepared to accept Mr. Spratt’s explanation. FUNDS FOR OLYMPIC TEAM. Appreciation of the generous response of the people of Hawera to the appeal for funds for the Oylmpie Games was expressed by Mr. G. P. Aldridge at a meeting of th© Athletic Club, Whereas when the effort commenced the Hawera fund stood at about £3O, there was now approximately £l2O in sight, and he wa s confident that if, as had been suggested, the campaign was continued until April 21, concluding with a special rally, the sum of at least £l5O would be realised. So far only a comparatively few people other than those of the town had been approached and h© felt BUT© that further support could be expected from residents of the outlying distriotai and from all part® of the province. GENERAL ITEMS. The selection committee of the Hawera Amateur Operatic Society chose the following operas from which this year’s production will be selected at a meeting on Wednesday:—"High Jinks,” “So Long Letty,” “The Chocolate Soldier,” and "The Girl Behind the Counter.” That necessity is the father of invention was borne out at the Tawhiti sports on Wednesday, when the megaphonist found himself without the necessary equipment. Nothing daunted, he hastened to the dairy factory nearby and returned a few minutes later with • separator funnel which answered the i purpose admirably. | A decision to put on a musical extravaganza in June, the production to take the form of grand opera and lighter music with popular ballets and about 12 scenes, was come to at a conference between Messrs. Cardston and Baxter, the producers, and the committee of the Hawera Ameteur Operatic Society on Tuesday. Rehearsals are to commence immediately after Easter and the producers are to take over on April 30. For th© extravaganza which, it is anticipated, will be one of the finest performances ever held in Hawera, 150 people will be required for the cast. A fairly heavy frost was experienced in Hawera on Thursday. The resignation of Mr. G. Colling a« secretary of the Hawera Amateur Athletic Club was accepted with regret at a meeting of the club on Wednesday. Mr. Allen will fill the position temporarily. Mr. Collins is leaving the dig. triet. PERSONAL HEMS. Mr. William Crichton, the prominent, architect of Wellington, died on Thursday morning, according to advice received by his sister-in-law, Mrs. David Strachan, of Hawera. Mr. Crichton, in conjunction with Messrs. Duffill and Gibson, of Hawera, was th© architect who prepared the plans for the new Hawera hospital. Mr. L. H. Giblin, of the Bank of New Zealand, Hawera, is to be married shortly. He was met by his fellow officers on Wednesday. On their behalf the manager (Mr. M. C. Hay-Macken-zie) expressed their best wishes for the future happiness and welfare of Mr. Giblin and his bride-to-be, and presented him with a handsome antique Florentine brass bowl.

Mr. G. Aldridge, organising secretary for the Olympic Association of New Zealand, who has been in Hawera for the past few days, returned to Wellington by the mail train On Thursday morning! Mr. E. G. Betts, of Okaiawa, left on Thursday for Tongaporutu on a week’s fishing trip. Mr. F. J. Gimblett, of the Hawera branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia, has received advice of his promotion to accountant of the bank’s now branch at Dannevirke, and will leave almost immediately to take up his new duties. Mr. S. F. Taylor, from the Whangarei branch, has arrived for the purpose of taking over from Mr. Gimblett. Mr. P. O’Dea. of Hawera, left yesterday for Dunedin. SALVING DAMAGED CARS. GOOD WORK BY FARMERS’ CO OP. The work of raising Mr. Cassidy’s sedan ear from the bed of the Tongahoe River (Hawera) was carried out on Wednesday afternoon by the Farmers’ Co-op. motor department, which possesses the only plant in the district capable of dealing wi ll a job of the magnitude. The plant consists of a portable winch with necessary gear in the way of wire lifting and anchor ropes, the whole outfit being so compact that it can be carried in an ordinary ear. This enables the plant to be placed in position with the least possible delay, and provided suitable anchorage is available on the site, the work of salving is quickly under way. In the case under notice it was necessary to convey to the site a beam of ironbark 15 ineheg by 12 inches for anchorage purposes. The total distance was about 100 feet, and the lifting had to be done in three sections. The car weighed about a couple of tons, being waterlogged. The winch has two gears, a high gear to take up slack or shift a comparatively light load quickly, and a low gear, which gives a lift of three-quarters of an inch per revolution. The job was carried oat without a hitch end the car was towed to town and lodged in the Farmers’ garage by half past five o’clock. The body i» wrecked beyond repair and the chaem* considerably damaged, but this will b® repaired at the Partners’ works.