COUNTRY NEWS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 37, 7 November 1919, Page 10

COUNTRY NEWS

NOTES FROM VARIOUS CENTRES From Our Special Correspondent!. walarapa The following have been elected officers for the ensuing year ol' the Masterton Central Band, the name of which has been changed to the Masterton Citizens' Band, in recognition of the manner in which Masterton residents liuve subscribed to the band's funds-l'atron, Mr. llusli Morrison; president, Mr. B. J{. liayncr; comluetor. .Mr. F. Davey; )>andniaster, Mr. E. front; sergeant, Mr. W. Harding; corporal, Mr. .1. Harding; secretary, Mr. 11. Greig; librarians, Messrs. 11. B. Willoughhy and F. Butcher; custodian, Mr. .1. Harding; band committee, Messrs. 1). Hngerty, J. Carter, and J. Liddington; treasum', Mr. J. Carter; trustees, Messrs. T. F. Watson, J. Toolnalh, and B. .11. llayner. It has been decided to register the baiid 'with tho Kortli Island Brass Bands' Association. At the Masterton Magistrate's Court, Hugo and Shearer Ltd. proceeded against Hugh Stanley M'Laren, sheep farmer, of Hinakura, and .his wife, Jessie Feo M'Laren, to recover a sum of .£llO lis. for. drapery and outfitting supplied. Counsel for plaintiffs said the goods had been supplied to Mrs. .M'Laren. on Verbal orders. The defendants had been separated by deed, but co-habitati.ou had recommenced in .July, 1917, and had continued until tlio date of tho last item mentioned in the claim. It was contended that the purchase of the goods had been ratified by tho- fact that Air. mid .Mrs. M'Laren had gone to the shop together to select tho goods.- Harper .P. Hugo, in evidence, said that tho husband caiiio to the shop and got tho final items of the account. M'Laren'did- noli dispute Die items, but tho dispute was as to whether the husband or wife was responsible. Hugh Stanley M'Laren said he had had serious trouble with his wife in consequence of her extravagance. On May 19, J917, witness am! nis wife arranged a deed of separation. While they lived separately she received Jio a week. Ho also paid her debts at that time. With t:lie payment of the debts tho tradespeople were notified that witngss would accept no further responsibility for payment of bills incurred by his wife. His Worship said tho facts and (lit law on tho points wero clear. When the first account was paid, Messrs. Hugo and Shearer were notified tlvat Mr. M'Laren accepted no further liability for his wife's debts. About five weeks alter receiving' the letter, Mrs. ITLuren obtained further credit, and His AVorsliip did not think she had her husband's authority for so doing. The fact that the husband assisted with tho selection of .% lint could not. be taken that he ratified the credit being given. Tho onus was upon plaintiffs to show that the wife liad the expressed authority or implied i authority of the husband to get credit, as far as'M'Laren was concerned. Witih regard to Mrs. M'Laren, judgment would bo given against her by default for i! 110 Is. 1(1. ■ All roads appeared to lead to tho Wairarapa Ansae Club, Featherston. on -Tuesday night, when the returned soldiers <if the Wairarapa, together with visiting comrades, were entertained at a social gathering ranking as unique in tile history of the district. There was an assemblage thoroughly .representative of the men who had served tho Empire, and the citizens of Featherston ' and Lower Valley, together with tho subscribers to tho club, have every reason to lie well pleased with the record established. Tho body of tho club building was comfortably, arranged for the accommodation of dancers and-onlookers, whilst a billiard and smoke room was used by the sterner six not addicted to "tripping it lightly along." Cowley's orchestra, Wellington, played the dance music, Mr. W. E. Bidwill, 0.8. E., chairman o£ the Anzac Club, providing tho amount required to secure snch delightful music. Extras wero played by Mrs. Wiekens, Misses Bennett, and Harrison, and Messrs. W. J. Martin and J. Martin, jttti. Messrs. I). C. Collins. G. Gundy, ami A. 0. Holms acted as M.C.'s. Tlio supper reflected great credit upon fhe ladies' committee headed by Mrs. W. ,T. Martin (chairwoman), and Mrs Q. Donald (vice-chairwoman). . Tho Mayor (Mr J. W. Card) and Mayoress (Miss Card) and Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Bidwill filled the offices ,of hosts and hostesses respectively. Speeches of welcome were delivered by the Mayor and Mr. Bidwill. and advantage was taken of tho occasion bv Mr. Bidwill to hind the club ovv to the borough council. Special credit is due to the lion, tary. Mr. C. J. Carlvon for his efforts in 'connection witli the gathering. ' The Master lon Bacing Club made a piflfif on its recent meeting of .£985 (is. 4,1. T'le Onvcrnmont tax amounted to W. .t! "Collins, of iMartinbormmrli, had the misfortune to break one of his v:rst-= wW'« cranking, a motor-car on Tuesday aftonioon.