LOCAL AND GENERAL

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 41, 5 September 1911, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Mr F. C. Daniel!, architect, of Hamilton, has decided to open an oPrice in Redoubt Chambers, Te Awamutu, on nth September next. The Te Awamutu office will be in charge of Mr R. P. de Ridder, C.E., M.A.A. (London)', iate consulting architect to Liverpool Fireproof Construction Co. Mr de Ridder has had twenty years' English and six years' colonial experience, and should prove an acquisition to Te Awamutu.

We are pleased to hear that a movement is on foot to re-organ-ise the Waikato Fruit Growers' Association with the object of having a show at Te Awamutu about February of next year. Schedules are now being drawn up, and intending exhibitors will do well to make preparation. The movement is deserving of the greatest support, and the organisers—with Mr D. Bockett as promoter —are to be congratulated on taking the matter in hand. The newly-formed greens at Victoria Park are being kept in good order for the forthcoming season. The Tennis Club property is. to be moved from the present court at an early date, and that club will, all being well, open its season on the newcourts. An endeavour is also being made to have the new bowling greens ready for the incoming season. The croquet lawn is ready for the club to take possession, and it is to be hoped that those interested will take immediate steps toward the formation of a Croquet Club. . The ratepayers of Frankton have authorised the Town Board to raise a loan of £6,300 for installing electric lighting in the town. The report recommends a producer gas generator with a three wire direct current low tension system-at 230 volts. Current would be sold at 8d per unit to consumers and 6d per unit for street lighting and on the estimates would yield sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund and working expenses.

Mr Laurenson's bill for universal Saturday half-holiday is evoking a great deal of interest in Auckland. During the last few days Auckland members have been bombarded by telegrams urging their support to this measure. A few days ago telegrams were despatched to Northern representatives on behalf of over three hundred employees of Messrs John Court, Ltd., while to-day this firm has wired as follows : —" Our employees' appeal for universal Saturday half-holi-day heartily endorsed by the firm.

The suggestion was made on the occasion of Poweika's previous escape —this one, it may \be mentioned, is his fifth attempt — that he should be sent to the South Island, "as he knows the country adjacent to the Wellington gaol." The Christchurch Press suggests, in turn, that this is not quite the way to look at the matter, it should make no difference to the authorities of the Terrace Gaol whether the man knows the surrounding country, or not. Their business is to keep him in prison, and the idea that he should be removed to a part of the Dominion with which he is not acquainted would almost suggest that the police admit that it is impossible to prevent his breaking gaol, and so want to handicap him as'much as possible after his escape. It would be interesting to know how many prisoners have escaped from New Zealand gaols in, say, ten years. We have a notion that the number would prove rather startling. It is surprising how few people cited to appear in the S.M. Court as defendants in debt cases, take the trouble to read their summonses, says the Auckland "Star." For instance, there are usually quite a number of defendants who when their case is called on, inform the Court of their wish to defend, bin on being asked whether they have given notice to this effect, say,. "I didn't know I had to." It is then pointed out to them that it is expressly stated in the summons that notice to defend must be given, or the case will go by default. Thus a great deal"of the Court's time is wasted because, not wishing to take advantage of the defendant's ignorance, time is usually allowed for the necessary papers to be filed. Of course, there is little or no excuse for people,'who wishing to delend their cases, do not take the trouble to read their summonses, but it would in all probability save a great deal of time if the paragraph relating to the necessity of giving notice of defence was set out in bolder type. At present it appears on the back of the summons amongst a considerable amount of other reading matter.

We would remind our readers of the monthly meeting of the Band of Hope, which takes place on Friday evening next, when an excellent programme will be rendered.

At Ohaupo, a strong committee lias been formed in connection with the local Football Club, to arrange a plain, fancy and poster ball. " This ball will be held early in October, and from present appearances promises to be a great success.

We are given to understand, that a petition is being prepared amongst our local tradespeople requesting that the regular weekly half-holiday at Te Awamutu be observed on Saturday. The petition is meeting with the support of all more directly interested.

The members of the ladies' guild of St. John's Anglican Church are making the necessary preparations for the garden fete to be held at "He worth" on Wednesday of next week. The grounds will be thrown open to the public, and those present will deposit articles —of any nature—in a basket provided. The ie Awamutu Town Band will play at regular intervals, and the afternoon will doubtless be a most enjoyable one.

Raetihi is stirred to its depths over the proposed formation of a town board. A strong party opposes the scheme. The local poet breaks out into verse, one of which is — " We don't want a council, Whatever else there be ; It's been good enough for father, It's good enough for me." It has been suggested that the Raetihi poet's effort with slight alterations as under might meet local requirements : "We don't want cold water, We will stick to Tea ; If Father never wanted it, Then why should we."

The Princess Picture Company showed to a fairly large audience in theT own Hall on Friday evening last, and the programme screened was very good indeed. The picture giving a representation of Lord Tennyson's poem "Maude" was very highly appreciated, while the comics and dramatic were of an entertaining nature. Altogether the programme submitted was a first-class one and as the management are endeavouring to arrange to visit Te Awamutu regularly in fur-are it is to be hoped they will receive the patronage which their'enterprise deserve. The next programme is to be an exceptionally good one and all picture-lovers should make an effort to see them.

In connection with the attitude of members of the House of representatives on his Gaming Amendment Bill, Mr Jennings informed a reporter in Wellington that he is satisfied with the position as far as it has gone, having had a substantial majority behind him in the passing of the short title of the bill, which recorded the fact that the House affirmed the principle of the measure. Members had voted solidly in favour of the bill, whilst at least five absent members were also on his side. He estimates that forty-eight members of the House are in favour of the bill. As the outcome of last night's endorsement of the demands of the country clubs, it is understood that an influential deputation will wait on the Premier and urge him to see the matter through.