Our Stratford Page

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 243, 13 April 1912, Page 3

Our Stratford Page

* * * From Our Resident Reporter, * * * •g Office: No. 3, York Chambers, Stratford. * ***<§> + ***** + + *

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Mr. W. G. K. Kenrick, S.M., presided over the usual weekly sitting of the S.M. Court this morning. THEFT OF CLOTHIXG. Albert Ayling, Sydney Baker, and Henry Williams appeared to answer charges of breaking, entering, and theft. They were unrepresented by counsel. Sergeant McNeely conducted the prosecution, and, in opening, said that the three accused were practically strangers in the town, having been employed for | only a few weeks at the County Hotel. The sample-rooms there were entered I during the night and goods were missing I on the morning of April Ist. Two of the ! accused left the town, and were arrested at New Plymouth, having the stolen goods with them, but the third (Ayling) remained here, and subsequently admitted to Sergt. McNeely his share in the matter. Charles McAUum. commercial traveller] employed by Archibald Clark and Son, of New Plymouth, gave evidence that lie had the sample-room engaged at the) date mentioned. On April Ist he left I the sample-rooms at about 5.45 p.m., and did not return there till about !) o'clock next morning. When packing up later in the day he missed some shirts, and identified as goods taken from the sample' rooms eleven shirts, two mackintosh overcoats, a suit of men's clothes, and other goods, the property of his firm. The suit produced bore a number corresponding to the box in his rooms, so he could say it was the property of his firm. He noticed a footmark on a rug on a bench under the window of the sample-rooms. He had given no one authority to remove any goods. Thomas Kirkwood, brother of Wm. Kirkwood, proprietor of the samplerooms, identified the men as having been employed as kitchenman, pantryman, and porter at the hotel. He had been to the pictures on Monday night, and returning home by way of Miranda Street, thej three men passed him. He* stood for a time, and the men returned, passing him again. He last saw the men at the mouth V>f the right-of-way, about * chain from the sample-room in question, at about 11 o'clock. As far as he knew, the accused. Baker and Williams, had given no notice of their intention to leave the hotel.

Constable Donald Archibald Mac Lean, of New Plymouth, gave evidence of having arrested the accused Williams and Baker, in consequence of a telephone message received from Sergeant McXeely. of Stratford. When apprehended in a boarding-house, Williams said, "We stole nothing; we only arrived from Wellington to-night.' * The witness, however. «aw two mackintoshes hanging on the wall, and told them that those were part of the proceeds of the theft, and that he would arrest them. He asked about the suit of clothes which had been stolen, and Baker replied that it was hanging behind the door. Williams told him, too. that there was a parcel of shirts under the bed. On being told next morning of the arrest of a third man at Stratford, thev replied, "Yes, A.yling, the porter, was 'with us." The articles produced were those found in possession of the accused. Sergt. McNeely stated that it was reported to him on April 2nd that Kirkwood's sample-rooms had been broken into and certain articles stolen. Next evening it came to his knowledge that Williams and Baker had suddenly left their employment at the County Hotel and had gone to New Plymouth. He made inquiries as to their movements on the night of Ist April. The accused Aylinor told him he had been room-mate with Williams, and that he had been in the company of the other two up till about 10.30 o'clock on the Monday night, when they had all returned home to°the hotel. After some hesitation Aylinc told him, in answer to a question/that they had all gone out again, and, further questioned, that they had gone out "to get into the window." He then made a statement and signed it. in which he said that he and the others were together on Monday evening. They had one or two drinks together and played billiards, returning home about 1030 When m Ayling's room he said "It won't be difficult to get in any of the hotel windows." Thev went for a walk and returned. Baker left the room, and Aylmg turned in. Williams came back and said, "We're going to try and get in the window," to which he replied, "It's rio telling me what you're going to i i T??- 7 Went 6ff ' bu * returned, and asked if he were going with them. He refused, but later he got up and went to the corner of the right-of-way. He nromised the others he would' oive "the I"™ ,f any o "" approached. "He saw Wilhams hand stuff out of the window to Baker. They returned to the bedroom and sorted the stuff out. and Williams took it all away next day. Whilst they were awaiting a chance to get into the sample-rooms Tom Kirkwood passed them, but did not speak to them. The accused all pleaded guilty, and to the Supreme' Court at Wellington for sentence. INCREASING THE PENALTY

John R. Haggie was charged with drunkenness and with having procured liquor during the currency of a prohibition order against hi: -If. A plea of guilty was entered. ,s ( McNeely said Haggie was a first offender for drunkenness, hut had been convicted of a breach of his prohibition order in January. The magistrate, addressing the accused, remarked on the fact that he was a young man to be up on such charges, and pointed out that he could not defy the order of the court, threatening at the same time to increase the punishment '•Where did you get the drmk from?" the magistrate asked but the accused made no reply. Servant broke the silence. ' ••■He's dumb on mat question, your worship He wont give the police any assistance in the matter. When he was arrested he ■ had a small bottle in his pocket, but he took it out and threw it down on the footpath and broke it. thinking he was destroying the evidence, 1 suppose " The accused was lined ,e:i. in default: two week* imprisonment. He was allowed until May Ist to find the money. A LITTLE HOMILY.' A young man appeared as a first offending inebriate. Sergi. McXcely said that the young fellow worked on the Whannamomona railway works, but during the past few day- had been drinking about the town. He was exceedmsly •fortunate in being before the court Vn only this charge, for, whilst very drunk in the street, lie had caught hold of a respectable married woman. The woman would not come to court to give | evidence, * 0 he could not be charged with | that offence, as the police did not see Wie The magistrate, adI dressing the accused, said that this was a had state of affairs. Tf he went on I drinking away his money like this he j would eventually come to' the court asking for an old-age pension. He endeavor

Ed to impress on the young man that with the amount he spent in drink he could have a nice home. A single man, ami earning 8s or 10s a day, and doubtless he could not put his hand in his pocket for a shilling. And probably if he were fined he would have to ask for time in which to pay. The magistrate advised him to give up drinking and put his money in the savings bank. Fined 5s and costs. Another first 'offender, ..rather jpast middle age, was described by the sergeant as a man who was not addicted to drink, but had been drinking about the town for a little while. The magistrate fined him ss, and told him he ought to have known better. A CYCLIST'S PLEA. D. Corkill was charged with having broken the borough by-laws by cycling on the footpath in Celia Street. Borough Inspector Barlow gave evidence that he saw the defendant riding on the footpath .for fully 300 yards, and that when caught he asked for a chance, saying that the former ranger used to give him a chance. The defendant, in a letter to the court, stated that he was doing his round as a postman to clear the letter-boxes, and as he had lost some time by reason of his tyre being flat, he rode along the path instead -of being bumped along the road. In answer to the magistrate, the inspector said that Corkill made no mention of a flat tyre to him, but simply asked for a chance, He (the inspector) had been instructed to report every case of breach of the by-laws. A fine of 5s was imposed, with 7s costs. CIVIL OASES. Judgment was given by default in the following undefended cases: E. Bell (Mr. Wright) v. A. Barlow, claim £1 2s and 5s costs; E. H. Bright (Mr. Fookes) v. Wm. Eeid, claim £3 3s and 19s costs; P. W. Menzies (Mr. Stanford) v A. G. Macbeth, claim £2 12s 6d and 10s costs; Kemp and Sawle (Mr. Anderson) v. W. Brown, claim £3 14s 3d and 10s costs;' B. McMaster (Mr. Stanford) v. S. Met-! calf, claim £25 4s and £3 2s costs; F., W. Wake (Mr. Wright) v. A. B. Kemp, claim £23 lis 8d and £1 9s costs;: Wilson, Drake and C. (Mr. Malone) v. E. Hill, claim £5 Is 5d and £1 14s 6d' costs; same v. D. O. Shute, claim £lO 5s 7d and £1 18s 6d costs; M. C. Aagard (Mr. Malone) v. E. Hill, claim £1 5s and 15s costs; Stratford Printing and Publishing Co. (Mr. Malone) v. Albert E. Kemp, claim £9 8s 3d and £1 9s 6d costs; D.0.A., in estate of A. E. Burgess (Mr. Thomson), v. E. A. Smith, claim 18s 3d and 5s cost?; C. Rooney (Mr. Wright) v. W. Brown, claim £6 8s and £1 17s costs; McCluggage Bros. v. E. Eowe, claim £4 7s 6d and 10s costs. Judgment summons cases were dealt with as follow: McMillan and Frederic (Mr. Fookes) v. G. Thomas, claim £lB 18a 9d. Order made for payment forthwith, in default two weeks in New Plymouth prison, warrant suspended i"' May 12th next. P. W. Menzies (Mr. Stanford) v. E. C'root, claim £2 Cs. No appearance of debtor. Order made for payment forthwith, in default seven days' imprisonment. F. Ehodes (Mr. Stanford) v. Frank Cowell, claim £3 13s 8d; no appearance of debtor; order made for payment forthwith, in default three weeks' imprisonment. HORSES AND HORSE TRUCKS. Conversing with Mr. Campbell, stationmaster at Stratford, concerning the complaint made by Mr. Cliff, and published in yesterday morning's issue, I learned that the facts had not been given in full. First and foremost, no order was given by Mr, Cliff, either at New Plymouth or Stratford, to have a horse-box -or cattle truck at Stratford on Monday night for shipping horses to New Plymouth. The first mention made of the matter, so far as the records show, was at 3.40 p.m. on Monday, when there was no such vehicle in the Stratford railway yard. 'Mr. Campbell pointed out that it is always necessary to give at least twenty-four hours' notice of such accommodation being required, and the longer the notice given the better. A cattle-truck had been ordered by someone, else for Monday, ;md •when this one came into the yard it was sent off to fill that order. Orders for trucks were filled in the order in -which they were received. Unlike his own fare, Mr. Cliff had evidently not taken a return ticket for the horses, These are the facts as given to me by the statiomriaster, and it really seems that the local railway authorities were not to blame. But the publication of the complaint, followed by this explanation, may.have the effect of impressing on stock-owners the necessity for giving due notice to the officials in the event of tracks being required for loading stock at any station at any particular time. It should be stated that the truck which was eventually provided for

Mr. CM' mi Tuesday was brought from Wanganui, there being none available at any nearer station.

SCOTTISH SOCIETY'S SOCIAL.

There was a meeting of over thirty ladies this afternoon, convened by Mrs. Geo. Sangs'ter, to make arrangements for the Taranaki Provincial Scottish Society's first social in the Stratford Town Hall on Empire Night. Mrs. Sangster presided, and Mrs. J. Mackay was appointed secretary. The following committee was set up: Mesdames Sangster, J. Mackay, Glasgow, Grunt, Paul, W. D. Anderson, Balfour, Morison, Fulton, Spilma.il, Patterson, Smart, McNeely, Campbell, McDonald, A. Mackay, Spence, McAllister, Petrie, Smith, Henderson, A. W. Read, McKeown, McCluggage, Bonner, Misses Smith, Scott, Wyllie and Morison. Arrangements were made for the supper, and it was decided to meet again next Tuesday, at 3 p.m., in Messrs. 0. and E. Jackson's office, to elect subcommittees. Mr. Alec Henderson, secretary of the Society, was present, and enrolled all present as members. A vote of thanks to the 'Messrs. Jackson for kindly giving the use of the room, concluded the business. The ladies were very enthusiastic, and will doubtless ma'ke the social a striking success. STRATFORD LAWN TENNIS CLUB. PROPOSED CHANGE OF HOME. At the Domain Board meeting this afternoon Mr. F. N. Fussell, secretary of the Stratford Lawn Tennis Club, wrote asking permission for the club to lay down courts in Victoria Park, adjoining the croquet lawns, the area required being slightly less than half an acre. The Board decided to grant the request, providing the site selected by the club is approved by the Board. There is a possibility, I am told, of the W.Y.M.I. and St. Andrew's clubs amalgamating, and making application on similar lines. "NEVER TO LATE." You won't be too late for the greatest dramatic film of the year if you attend at His Majesty's Theatre on Monday night. Matinee, Saturday afternoon at half-past two o'clock.

GENERAL NEWS. The Domain Board will at its next meeting consider the advisability of raising the secretary's salary, and" increasing the workmen's wages from 8s to 9s a day. There is no announcement of candidates for the Mayoralty. There may be developments on Saturday. In an article recently contributed to this page it was pointed out that the dairy farmer did not always handle and enjoy the whole of the cheques payable to him by the dairy company which he supplied with milk. In the Magistrate's Court this niorning the examination of a debtor disclosed that he was milking 31 cows on a farm of 227 acres, and his monthly cheques were from £l9 to £3O this season. Hut of this sum he actually received for his own personal expenditure only £1 per week, ou which to keep himself, his wife and two children. The rest was taken by the two men who had lent him money under a bill of sale over the cows. The judgment creditor's counsel considered .that the man's debts should come before the payments under the bill of sale, but the Magistrate pointed out that in that case the holders of the bill would doubtless sell the man up, and the creditor would get nothing. The man, whose accent and unfamiliarity with the language, negatived the suggestion of pure English descent, declared •'l,am willing to pay everything, with all my heart," In the circumstances no order was made. "Any mortgage?" asked the Magistrate of a debtor this morning. "Oh, the usual mortgage" was the answer. A farm without a mortgage would strike such a man as distinctly unusual. _ "The State provides you with a pension, and your landlord provides you with free rent. You're a lucky man," said counsel to an old age pensioner in Court to-day. A solicitor appearing for his partner this morning as plaintiff in a debt case, applied for costs. The S.M. said such a thing was against his usual practice. If some solicitor other than a member of Ihe .firm were engaged, the case would be quite different. Mr. 'W. J. Xewwton, manager of the Stratford Electrical Supply Company, has been elected an associate member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, and is now entitled to use the magic "A.M.1.E.E." after his name. As training, experience and the holding of a responsible position are all necessary qualifications in a very strict examination of candidates' credentials, Mr. New ton is deserving of the hearty congratulations of his friends. Why do folks go to the seaside, or to high and dry levels? In order to inhale ozone. Tint when times arc hard, or exceedingly busy, ozone at a distance is quite unobtainable. By a recent invention one can have ozone served up with one's dinner, or during his hours of rest. Mr. J. C. Allen, secretary of the Xationai Electrical and Engineering Company, was in Stratford yesterday, and gave-a demonstration with a wonderful little contrivance, which can lie attached by . a plug to an ordinary electric light socket. The current sets a fan in motion, and the voltage, is raised tremendously, this having the effect of collecting the" ozone from the atmosphere and setting it at liberty for inhaling. It is, of course, of the greatest interest to medicoes.