LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 68, 25 February 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

The weekly patriotic market and tea rooms, conducted by the members of the Ladies’ Patriotic Committee, will be held as usual to-morrow. The promoters vvil| be pleased to Receive donations of cakes, produce, etc., for tomorrow's market.

The Methodist Conference now sitting at Auckland, has decided to appoint a strong deputation to interview the Premier in Auckland on the subject of curtailing the hours for the sale of liquor and the sale of intoxicants to soldiers.—P.A.

At the Stratford Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, judgment was entered by default in the following eases —Geo. Rao v. Albert Arthur Nelson £lB 19s 3d. costs 30s 6d; McCluggage Bros. v. Woodney £lO 15s 3d, costs £2 2s 6d ; Nelson and Green v. F. F. Flower £3, costs 16s; R. D. Lowers v. L Tavlor £1 11s 6d, costs 7s.

The Minister of Agriculture Hhe Hon. W, I). 8. MacoDnald) accompanied by his private secretary,,Mr A. W. Mulligan, and M essrs R. Masters, \y. P. Kirkwood. R. Dingle, and A. J). Stanley (secretary of the A. and P. Association) motored round the Stratford district this morning and visited several dairy factories. Ihc party inspected the Cardiff, Lowgarth, Mangatoki.Kaponga, and Ngaire Dain Factories, and tlie Egmont Box Co’s, premises at Kltham. Ibis afteinoon the Minister visited the district around Midhirst. The Minister, when asked his opinion of the district as a whole, simply remarked; “It’s a beautiful country.”

At the Court this afternoon, William Green was charged with faihne tf> observe an order for payment of maintenance to his wife and children. Mr Cecil Wright appeared for Mrs Green, who was present in court with some small children. Green, who was not represented by counsel, stated, in answer to the Magistrate (Mr Haselden) that he had this morning paid the sum of £3 into court on account of maintenance arrears. He "ad not been able to pay more as Ins wages had been .seriously, affected by the wet weather lately. Mr Wright said this statement was ridiculous, as the weather for the past six weeks had been perfect. After hearing defendant’s statement, the S.M. decided to adjourn the ease until the sitting of (the court on tue 2-ltii March. His Worship ; “You have paid £3 to-day, or 1 would commit you p» gaol now.” His Worship ordered \ defendant to ~av arrears due before the case was again called oft, and significantly remarked ; ‘‘l am adjourning the case because T am the only one who can commit you, and if I am not satisfied at next sitting, will see what a term of imprisonment will do if only as an ; example to those who allow tlieir i wives ami children to starve. I shall h t , here as Executioner, s" don’t, wait for the Block to be fixed and the Axe I Ground.”