FEATHERSTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1941, Page 7

FEATHERSTON

CHARGE OF MISCHIEF CHEESE MAKERS BEFORE COURT. (“Times-Age” Special.) James Ker Foss, 21 years, of Carterton, and John Sydney Robert Murphy. 19 years, of Palmerston North, were jointly charged in the Featherston Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., with mischief, in that they wilfully damaged one cheese, valued at £1 17s 6d, thp property of the Featherston Co-opera-tive Dairy Co., Ltd., on April 23 last. Detective-Sergeant W. Kane, Masterton, prosecuted. In outlining the case to the Court he' said that at the time of the offence both defendants were employed at the Featherston Co-opera-tive Dairy Co.’s factory, and were engaged in cheese making. Subsequently a 501 b. cheese which was delivered to a Martinborough store was found to contain a bar of soap and a steel bolt, known as a press pin, belonging to a cheese press. Inquiries he made resulted in both defendants admitting the offence. Detective-Sergeant Kano pointed out the seriousness of the matter, saying that had the cheese been exported to England, and found to have been tampered with in the way it had. the effect might have been serious for New Zealand dairy produce. Although the defendants appeared to look upon the matter as a prank, it was regarded by the Department as a serious matter, and defendants were lucky that they were not appearing on a more serious charge. Foss told the court that he and Murphy were aware that the cheese was for the local market. James Blain, secretary of the factory, said that there was no evidence of any other cheeses having been damaged, and nothing had been heard of any damaged cheeses from overseas. Foss assured the court that no other cheese was in any way damaged. Each man was convicted and fined £2, with 10s costs and each ordered to make good the damage in equal shares (18s 9d). Mr Lawry pointed out the foolishness of such an act by the young men. Constable Farewelled. A pleasant function took place after the sittings of the Magistrate’s Court, Featherston, yesterday, when Senior-Sergeant G. Doggett, Masterton, presented a handsome smoking outfit to Constable A. McLeod, Featherston, who leaves on August 3 to take up a special appointment with the Naval Department, Auckland, the gift being made on behalf of Constable McLeod’s associates in the force in the Wairarapa. Senior-Sergeant Doggett and Detective-Sergeant Kane (Masterton), and Constables Gregor (Greytown). Prussing (Martinborough), Williams (Carterton), and McNamara (Featherston), spoke in eulogistic terms of Constable McLeod’s many fine qualities. Constable McLeod suitably responded. All present wished Mr McLeod and his wife, the best of luck and the function ended with all present singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” ) Golf. The challenge cup match played by the ladies on the Gum Grove links yesterday resulted: —Mrs Feast, 3 points, Miss Nix, 2 points. Mrs Gold, 1 point. A qualifying round for the championship is to be played next Wednesday. The women’s drill squad was taken for a route march on Tuesday night, under the command of Mr K. N. Allen. On their return, Mr J. Beech instructed them in physical drill. Both officers commented on the women’s fine marching. Euchre Tourney. The Fire Brigade held its usual weekly euchre tourney on Tuesday, when there was a fair attendance. The results were: —Ladies: Miss Eva Card first, Mrs Wilson second; men, Mr Cameron first, Mrs Watson second. Owing to other attractions on Tuesday nights, it has been decided to hold the weekly euchre tournaments on Wednesday nights.