LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 49, 19 June 1914, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A few days ago while a butcher's cart was standing outside a house in one of the side streets, it was levied upon by someone to the extent of a large roast of Leef valued at 12s. The thief made himself scarce without anyone noticing him, although it was broad daylight.

At the Manawatu Winter Show there were several Taranaki entries in the poultry classes. Mr S. Campbell secured a first for game pullets, and first and third for black breasted red game cockerel. In Seabrights, Mr H. Masters, of Stratford, secured first with buff hen, second with buff pullet, and third with buff coi'kcrej.

"Fined £5, in default twenty-eight days' military detention," was the penalty inflicted at the' Court this morning on W. E. Porter and Kobert E. Parkes, charged with failing to attend the training camp at Takapau. "There are some men," said the S.M., "who have made up their minds not to do their military training, and they must be compelled to do it."

A first prize costume at a recent fancy dress ball in Sydney, where the price of the toilettes was limited to 2s, consisted of 3$ yards of Cretonne at 3£d, two of book muslin at 2£d, half a pint of harricot beans, and two balls of dye; 2Jd was allowed for odds and ends. The design was of the cretonne with a lamp shade tunic, handpainted with the dyes, in a scroll design; the book muslin frilled medici collar and elbow frills were also of the muslin, and the headdress of the dyed beans. It was most effective.

"Feathers or votes?" was the cry during the discussion upon the Prohibition to Plumage Bill, in the British' House of Commons. Mr Glyn Jones wittily pictured the rage and indignation if the bill were passed, giving men the right to determine what feathers women should be permitted to wear in her hat. Another member agreed that the women would see in the measure an attempt at tyranny. Finally the amendment was carried. "You must give them feathers or votes," said Mr Jones. So feathers it was.

A charge of driving four loose horses in the street preferred against Fred Fitz.simmons was dismissed at the Court this morning. Defendant said the horses, which were young ones, had broken out from the stable and he had rounded them back when the Inspector accosted him. ' The Inspector said defendant had not spoken of the matter at the time. The S.M. told defendant that a little civility in telling the Inspector the circumstances would probably have saved him an appearance in -Court, just as in the case of Territorials, a lot of whom were brought to Court merely because they neglected to send a letter to the Defence Office. Philip James, for whom Mr S. Spence appeared, was fined os without costs at the Court this morning on a charge of having piled for hire with an unlicensed dray. Mr Spence said defendant was very busy on the day in question and made use of an old dray which he used on occasions when he had a lot of work to do. He was approached by the Inspector and promised to license the dray, but overlooked the matter. The dray had since been licensed. C. W. Corkill was fined 10s, with 7s costs, for riding a bie\cle without lights. Mr Thomson appeared for H. H. Reynolds, who was charged with driving a gig without lights. Defendant had two lights going when he left Kaponga, one going out before he reached Stratford. A fine of os without costs was imposed.

Judgment was given at the Court this morning in the case in which the Inspector of Noxious Weeds proceeded against C, Leathern for failing to cut noxious weeds on a farm at Waipuku, on which he milked coway on shares. Mr Kenrick said it was clear from the agreement that tho owner did not desire to part with possession of the land in any shape or form. In his epinion the milker was merely a servant, who was remunerated by a share of the profit in lieu of wages. He therefore could not be held to be the occupier under the Act, and the information would be dismissed. He did not think tie judgment would affect many agreements in the district, as defendant's agreement was drawn on unique lines, and he did not think many agreements would be so drawn up. It was very much in favor of the owner. By the judgment defendant, would not be much better off, as the owner could still compel him to cut the weeds under the agreement. Leave to appeal was granted, but the S.M. reiterated his view that the judgment would not affect many agreements. In future the safest course for inspectors would be to ask to see all sharemilkers' agreements. Mr J. E. L. Stanford appeared for the Department and Mr H. E. Lawrence fot defendant.

Thirty-two Wellington unions have signified their intention to be represented at the conference which has beeri convened by the Trades Council to assemble next week to discuss the *Cost of living. ,

A very pleasant afternoon was spent on Wednesday at the residence of Mrs J. W. "Boon, Regan "Street, when members and friends of the W.C.T.IJ. met to celebrate White Ribbon Day. Mrs T. White (president) presided, and songs were nicely rendered by Mesdames McAllister and Dixon. Afternoon tea was handed round and a collection taken up in aid of .the organising fund.

At Mr H. M. Campbell's meeting at Petane on Friday night, Mr T. H. l Moynihan asked Mr Campbell what his views were in connection with the totalisator and the bookmaker. Mr Campbell replied that he had already asked the Minister for Justice whether he would make it impossible for a bookmaker to exist in New Zealand, and hoped to see this done. In regard to the totalisator he would like to see the, end of all gambling, but so long as the British race remained constituted as it was gambling would take place, and the totalisator was by far the best means of doing it, especially as it insisted upon cash being put down in advance and was absolutely fair. /