Stratford News.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 173, 20 January 1912, Page 3

Stratford News.

Stratford. Friday.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

The weekly sittings of the Magistrate s Court was held to-day, when Mr. W. G. Kenriek, S.M., was on the Bench.. CIVIL CASES. Judgment by default was entered in the following cases: Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. (Mr. Malone) v. T. McCulley, claim £3 18s and Gs costs; A. W. Birss (Mr. Thomson) v. C. 0. McCully, claim 16s and.6s costs; John Petrie (Mr.' Fookes) v. J. Dodunski, claim £1 15s and 5s costs; Court and Cottier (Mr. Thomson) v. Jas. Stringer, claim £37 Is 4d, and costs £2 14s. In the case of McCluggage Bros. v. Clias. Eaton, judgment summons, Mr. Malone appeared for the judgment creditor. The debtor admitted having earned about £3 a week for the past five months, but had paid nothing off the debt. He had been under the impression that the debt had been satisfied, for he had given the Public Works Office orders on his wages in favor of McCluggage Bros. At the time the debt was incurred he and his wife were running a boardinghouse, and the boarders used to give orders on the Public Works Department for payment of their board. As the debtor was unable to give any satisfactory statement of his earnings, etc., the S.M. gave him till two t'clock in which to obtain the information and appear again. WHANGAMOMONA OFFENCES. Charles Dinuelson, who did not appear, was charged with committing an indecent act in the main street at Whangamomona. Constable Scannell gave evidence that the offence was committed whilst there were women and children about. There were previous convictions against the accused for drunkenness. Constable Scannell, of Whangamomona, said the man was not drunk at the time, as he pleaded in his statement. Had he 1 been drunk he would have been arrested. The Magistrate, receiving, an assurance from the police that there were public conveniences at the hotel close by, said that he would have to deal more severely with these cases in future. The accused would be fined £3 and costs. Patrick Mooney was charged with having used obscene language in the street at Whangamomona on January 6. He pleaded guilty, and added: "I've been out there three years, and I've never been in trouble before. It's because I had a J little drop of drink. I don't remember I ft word about it." j

Constable Scannell said that the man was slightly under the influence of drink at the time. Ordinarily he was a, quiet, hard-working man, and witness had never seen him drunk before. The Bench pointed out that the accused was liable to twelve months' imprisonment, but as the accused had never been in trouble 'before he would be dealt with lightly. Accused: Thanks, sir. The S.M.: I will line you forty shillings and costs. Accused: Thanks,'sir. . The Magistrate further said that in future he would imprison for obscene language. BREACH OF PROHIBITION ORDER. John Haggie was charged with having obtained liquor on December 30, during the currency of a prohibition order against himself. Sergeant McXecly gave evidence that the prohibition order was made on December 5, on Haggi't's own application. Yet on December 30 Yie found the accused with a bottle of whisky in his possession. The bottle was produced, with about a "nip" taken from it. The Magistrate 'said he had no desire to fine men who appeared under such circumstances, for he knew that their temptation was great. 1 But if they would not disclose the nartie of the person supplying them illegally with the liquor then the Court would have to fine the accused. In this case a fine of 20s and costs was inflicted.- 1 TAKING "THE RISK. Cecil Corkill was charged with riding a bicycle on a footpftth in the borough. He pleaded guilty, a'nd was fined l€a and ; costs. The Magistrate said he couldn't i understand these young fellows continuing to ride on the paths when they saw repeatedly that men were fined for the offence. He now increased the fine from five shillings to ten-shillings to endeavor to put the practice down. STRATFORD POULTRY SHOW, TO BE HELD IN JULY. Stratford has an egg circle. Its members are enthusiastic, and its operations successful. One result of the formation of the circle has been to stimulate interest in the breeding of pure stock, a*d

* * * From Our Resident Reporter, * * Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. * * 4t

the natural sequence is that the Egg Circle lias decided to hold a poultry show. The A. & P. Association holds a poultry exhibition in connection with its annual spring show, but, whilst it is fairly well supported, it is impossible to close one's eyes to the fact that November is the wrong time of the year for a poultry show. The birds are not then 1 at their best, and, further, there is no great interest in poultry just then. Fanciers require the shows just when they are looking round for fresh bloow, in view of tlie mating season. In Taranaki the New Plymouth and Hawera shows are held about July, and that date is a good one. The Stratford show will be held, if possible, between the two shows just mentioned.

The executive has received numerous promises from exhibitors in other parts to bench large exhibits here, some of the well-known Auckland breeders being among the number. There should be good competition amongst local fanciers, for nearly all the popular breeds are strongly represented in Stratford; and Hawera, Inglewood and New Plymouth fanciers can be depended on to give this show a helping hand. Some years ago we had a poultry show in Stratford, but it was evanescent. It came on the top of a mild poultry boom, •when the people in different parts rushed into the poultry business, believing that all one had to do to make a thousand a year was to erect some yards, set, the incubators going, and collect the cheques. Time brought disillusionment —and failure. The local poultry society had some hard-hit enthusiasts amongst its workers, and the show barely survived its incubation. The prospects for the 191-2 fixture, though, are bright. The ! expenses to be incurred are already guar- < anteed. The promoters are experienced poultry breeders, who are in the business for profit. The local fanciers can be depended on to place their birds on the benches in goodly numbers, and visiting fanciers ought to find a ready mar-, ket for the best suff. The show promises to serve a useful purpose in stimulating interest in poultry generally. A meetihg of the Egg Circle is to be held next week to. go further into details.

j STRATFORD A. & P. ASSOCIATION. , MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the A. & P. Association's executive was held on Thursday evening. Mr. R. Dingle, president of the Association, presided. Other members present were Messrs. S. M. Porritt, W. P. Kirkwood, D. J. Malone, F. Dobson, J. D. Healy, G. Sangster and G. Hobbs. The Holstein Breeders' Association notified that Mr. T. Lyford's hull Admiral de Kol was eligible for the Herd Book, and Messrs. Tichbon Bros.' protest against Ithe award was dismissed. Their protest fee of one guinea will be returned, this being retained only in cases where the protest is deemed to be of a frivolous nature. It wasi decided to hold the annual meeting on Saturday, February 4, at 1.30 p.m., at the Municipal Chambers. The general committee will be called together on Saturday, January 27. at 1.30 p.*. The secretary reported having forwarded a letter of condolence to Mrs. H. W. Huggett, on the occasion of the death of her husband, the letter aiao recording the high , esteem in which the late Mr. Huggett was held by members of the Association. " , Several letters were received from ex- < hibitors complimenting the Association oil the management of the show, and particularly upon the loading and unloading of stock at tlie railway station, and the care of animals generally. One exhibitor from South Taranaki wrote: "I shall certainly support your show in future, as I consider .jt was the best, show of the year, and the judging fair." It was suggested that, the autumn gymkhana he held about the second week in MhrchL WkAT'S IN A NAME? some Tun at the a. & p. EXECUTIVE.

Naming a racehorse, or naming a baby, is a- mere circumstance compared with the choosing of a "style and title" for a sports gathering promoted by the Stratford A. & P. Association. The programme, as has already been announced, will be composed principally of mounted events, in which skill will be needed by horse and rider. There will be hunters' and leaping competitions, driving competitions, probably military events, and so on. The executive of the Association on Thursday night spent considerable time in choosing a name which, whilst brief, would indicate at a glance the nature of the function. The first suggestion was "the Stratford A. & P. Association's Autumn Competitions for Horses." Someone suggested "A. & P. Horse Sports," but the idea didn't appeal. Then came "Equine Sports," "Equestrian Sports" and "Gymkhana." "What's that?" asked somebody; "say it again." It was Mr. Kirkwood who ventured the name, and he explained that a gymkana was a term usually associated with military sports, and mounted events in particular. Members professed never to have heard of the word before, and, harking back to a previous discussion, one gentleman facetiously asked if Mr. Kirkwood's new horse was in the Stud Book. Suggestions rained in thick and fast, hut no one had a word that was shorter or more uncommon than gymkana. A proposal was made that this name be adopted. "But," objected a member, "people will be asking what it is." "That settles it for me," rejoined his colleague; "we want them to ask. It'll be a great atf." So the autumn competitions to be held on the showgrounds during the autumn for the purpose of raising funds for some specific object (probably for increased stand ac-. commodation) 1 will be called the "Stratford A. &P. Gymkana." Particulars will be advertised in due course. STRATFORD GUN CLUB.

At the annual meeting of the Stratford Gun Club <Jn Thursday night, the chair was taken ,by Mr. A. Stewart, the president. Officers' were elected as follows:—Patron, Mr. W. P. Kirkwood; president, 'Mr. 1 A; Stewart; vice-presi-dents, Messrs.'- E. "Kirkwood and W. Lovatt; eomjniittft, Messrs. P. Dunlop, W. J. Morison.' W. P. Kirkwood, ][. Campbell, W. 11. Davis, A. Scott, H. Wickham; eeeretary, Mr. G. D. Hunter; handiea-pper, Mr. W. J. Morison. The general committee was .elected a match committee. . ' 1 The mefeting decided to place on record on the minutes the club's satisfaction with the work of the secretary and handicapper (Messrs. G. D. Hunter and W, Morison, respectively).

I A vote of thanks to the Stratford Racing Club for use of the racecourse ; was passed, and it was decided to apply for the use of the property for this ' year. The Golf Club will also be asked j for the use of their premises. j A sweepstake ?'ioot will be held on j February Ist. Fortnightly shoots for the cup will commence on February 15th. CRICKET. MANAIA v. STRATFORD. When stumps were drawn in the above

: cup fixture, Stratford had completed its innings for 136, and Manaia had made 65 for six wickets. The visitors' fielding was poor, and the local batsmen took undue risks with the bowling. Scores:— STRATFORD—First Innings. E. Jackson, c Price, ib Cosgrove.. 16 Prebble, thrown out ' 4 Twohill, b Meuli 181 Dunlop, c Ryan, b Gorringe 34 j Richmond, c Stapleton, b Gorringe 121 0. Jackson, b Meuli 0] Boyes, not out 29 Hartley, c Stapleton, b Gorringe..,,. 0 Gilbert, b Meuli 2 George, c and b Gorringe 0 Hedditch, c Bullock, b Franklin 1.1 Extras C, Total 136 MANAIA—First Innings. Bullock, ,b Twohill 0 Howard, b Prebble 5 Bergin, Jut wkt, b Dun10p........ 13 Stapleton, b Twohill 0 Gorringe, not out 27 Prince, c and b Twohill 15 Cosgrove, b Dunlop 1 Extras 4 Total for six wickets 65 GENERAL NEWS. ] The Stratford Bowling Club will prob- I

ably send three rinks to the Taranaki 5 Bowling Association's annual tournament, which is to be held at Patea on February 6, 7 and 8. Mr. A. Woodhead has written to the Egmont Club executive, offering to place liia collection of Maori carvings at the club. The executive at its last meeting accepted the offer, and passed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Woodhead for his generous offer, the members recognising that such a fine collection would greatly enhance the appearance of the entrance hall. I

The borough staff is out to-day with tar-barrel and brush, re-tarring the asphalt footpaths in Broadway. It is often said that an Englishman's greatest pleasure is to grumble. It ison record, too, that the average farmer, too, is distinctly difficult to please. Here's an instance. Last week I was talking to a farmer, and the weather came under review. A gloriously fine spell had- succeeded to many weeks of heavy rains. "Well, how does this weather suit you?" I asked. "Too dry, too dry altogether." Astonished, I said, What! It's only a week ago since you were growling about the wet." "That's right. So I was. But this fine weather came on so blooming suddenly that it's drying everything up." The same man was in town to-day. It had rained in the meantime. He was growling that the showers were keeping him from getting in his hay! | Which reminds me that hay is being | cut a month later this year than usual. Peed was so scarce in the early spring that farmers were unable to shut up paddocks for hay until very late, and even then the weather was against the growth of grass. Everything is backward, though. There are acres of turnips to go in yet in all parts. From the 22nd inst. the regulations' appearing on page 83, Postal Guide, with reference to placing letters, etc., for other than the actual box-holder in private letter-boxes will .be strictly enfoiced at this office. Only correspondence for the principal, or principals, or for others definitely addressed to the box number, will be sorted into privatef boxes. All other correspondence, includ-! nig that for the wives and families of I box-holders, will, where they reside within the radius of the, letter delivery, be taken out by letter-carriers. The Postmaster has issued a circular to the above effect. The railway traveller passing through Stratford looks out on an uninviting collection of leans-to, privies, and generally unsightly, buildings which would be replaced if the occupiers of the land were on freehold instead of on railway leasehold. The Chamber of Commerce has jjTequently discussed this matter, and on Thursday approached the General Manager of Railways, Mr. T. Ronayne, and suggested that the Department might erect a fence along its boundary. Mr. Ronayne said he had been impressed, but not favorably, .by the 'outlook from the platform, and promised to consider therequest of the deputation. Senior-Sergeant Dart, who has been on a visit to Sergeant McNeely, of Stratford, felt this morning for Wellington, accompanied by Mrs. and Master Dart. The general committee or the general meeting of members of the A. and P. Association will have to decide on whether or not the members of the Associatipn will pay for admission at the forthcoming gymkana. If they are admitted free the' profits won't be very big, for nearly every male member of our com-i miunity seems to be a member 'of the Assqciation as well. A "special" ear at the railway station prompted enquiry, which revealed that the Genera] Manager of Railways (Mr. Tj Ronayne) was paying an official visit tcj Stratford, accompanied by Mr. IT. Buxton, 'Chief Traffic Manager; Mr. .T. Bhrnett, Chief Engineer: Mr. A. L. Beattie, Chief Mechanical Engineer; Mr. J-i E. Armstrong, District Traffic Manager; and Mr. F. J. .Tones, District Engineer. The party inspected the line as far as Te Wera, and the Waipuku section.