LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 59, 6 October 1916, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A juvenile brought up at to-day's Court for stealing a coat containing £6 pleaded guilty. As he hitherto had a good character, the Magistrate admonished him, his father entering into a bond of £SO for the lad's good behaviour for twelve months. An order was made for the restitution, of the sum of 7 s 6d.

Judgment was given by Mr Harden, S.M., to-day in the case of Donald v. McCowan, N a claim For breach of contract in regard to the purchase of a car. Plaintiff was non-suited. The judgment was a fairly lengthy one and will be published to-morrow.

j When the short-weight bread ease was being heard at the Court to-day, ,the S.M. remarked that in the case sf-tobacco, short weight was a different matter—one only got Hqzs tor a two-oz. packet !-The remark caused some amuseDgmt.

At to-day's Magistrate's Court cases wore heard as follows: For fading to attend drill, T. W. Walker was fined 20s and 7s costs, and A. Clulus 10s and 7s costs. For, riding a bicycle without a light, Darcy Cameron was fined 58 and costs 7s, Philip Beere was also fined 125., The case of Bert Laoey for driving a motor ear over a railway crossing within half a mile of an approaching train-was dismissed.

It has been stated that the ejected matter from Mt. Tarawera contains a' considerable amount of phosphoric acid. There are in New Zealand rocks containing potash which, under some circumstances, might he uilised, and the New ,Zealand Herald states that in the old thermal springs deposits potash and other fertilisers might »e discovered. It suggests that in these districts, or where sulphur abounds; there is scope for scientific investigation, and it states that it is not impossible that the kelp deposits on the coasts of New Zealand may, under development, produce both potash and iodine.

A Maori woman strolled leisurely into the Napier Magistrate's Court dur> ing the hearing of a ease last week' and settled herself comfortably on a .seat at the rear of the court (says the Hawke's Bay Herald). She wore a man's felt hat, and was muffled in a long rain coat. She had hardly been seated a minute when tin? magistrate rapped ou t' sharply: ''Take off your hat!" The Maori woman smiled back blandly at his Worship, who now looked very severe. Then a surprised and embarrassed look came over the magistrate's face: "Oh, ho faltered, "I thought it was a man." A new port in Foveaux Strait will shortly be opened at Mussel Beach (states the Bluff Press), where an Australian firm proposes to expend. £25,000. A township of 25 houses will be built, and also a wharf. The syndicate owns two steamers, and will take! a hand in the. timber industry. The country round about Mussel Beach is heavily timbered, and forms one of the finest stretches of natural, uncut forest in New Zealand. The Hump (3000 ft) is beautifully wooded with silver birch, and the beautiful littleknown Lakes Houroto,, Poterifiri, ami Monov.-ai lie inland. The leaders of the new settlement were in Bluff a few days ago. .i *> " ':' Before Mr Hasclden, S.M, at the Stratford Magistrate's Court this afternoon, .Vivian Neville [.ester was charged with selling bread under weight. A. Gray (inspector) gave evidence that on 30th August, Edward A. Tqwnley, who was in charge of defendant's motor van, sold him a 41b loaf which weighed 31b and on other loaves there was a difference in weight, som e being slightly over weight. Mr Coleman who appeared for defendant, pleaded technically guilty. The .Magistrate, after hearing the evidence, suggested that in future it would 'be better to add an extra ounce and charge slightly more for it. As there had been no previous convictions, he made the line in this case onlv £2.

At the local Magistrate's Court this afternoon, Charles M. Copestake J 6) was charged with failing to attend drill. 1 Defendant pleaded guilty, stating that | he was unable to attend owing to his parents living away from Stratford, 'and to the fact that in his leisure time he attended the technical school. George Smart, his employer, gave evidence that he was attending the technical school. The Magistrate stated, that under the circumstance;:, as he was attending school to his own advantage he granted an exemption. Benjamin Hunter was charged with failing to render personal service as a cadet. After hearing the father's evidence that his son was not medically lit to attend, though willing xo do so, the Magistrate adjourned the case in order that more evidence could be produced by the Defence authorities. Mr Fookes appeared for the defendant, and pleaded "not guilty." ,