STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 278, 25 April 1914, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

MAYORAL ELECTION

MR. N. J. KING,

At the Town' Hall last night, Mr. N. J. King addressed a meeting of electors on the subject of his candidature.

Mr. King gave a strong. stirring and convincing address, vigorously replying I to Jlr. Kirkwood's criticisms, and clca ° I lv defining his attitude on the electric light question He advocated acquiring the electrical service, leaving the qucs" tion of goodwill to arbitration. As to the proposed license, lie emphatically asserted Lhat he would oppose it tooth and nail, lie favored a. loan of £I(i,U(K) or £17,009 for streets, water and drainage, and also obtaining an estimate for a bridgu over the .river at Cordelia street. He was accorded a most flattering reception and heartiest applause, the audience being aroused to great enthusiasm before the close of the address. A unanimous vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

Mr. W. PJ Kirkwood replies to Mr. King on iloiidaj- evening.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Mr. Vf. G. K. Kenrick, S.M.)

CRUELTY TO A HORSE. [

John Fairfield, a laborer, was charged with cruelly ill-treating a horse by overdriving it. Sergt. MfNeely prosecuted. Henry Cannon, employed at Davej J s stable-s, stated that on April 21 a horse tad gig were hired to go to Ngaere. About. 7 p.m. tlic horse and gig were returmed by defendant. The horse wa» dripping with .sweat, shaking in the legs, and gasping for breath, being in a very exhausted state. The horse was stablefed and in hard condition, being accustomed to long journeys, and invariably returning in good condition. To arrive back in Buch a state as that described the horse must have been galloped for a considerable distance. As a result, the horse had been unable to leave the stable since, being unfit for work. J. Brannigan, a drover, said that when the horse came into the stables it was in a worse condition than he had ever seen a horse before. The three men in the trap were sober. To defendant: The horse could not have been in such a condition if he had been driven at his own pace. The sweat was pouring off. Walter Hawke and W. Gredig gave eemtirmatory evidence. Police-Sergeant McXeely, who had seen Itfce horse at the stables, said the sweat was dropping down its mane in big drops, and its head was hanging. Saw two of tho passengers at 7.30, and they were both fairly well gone in liquor. "Subsequently saw defendant, who said he took full responsibility, and was astonished at the condition of the horse.

To defendant: When he (witness) saw tiie horse it had been scraped down. Had driven the horse on a good day's journey and brought it.back in good condition. The horse must have beer, driven by defendant at too rapid a pace. Defendant elected Hot to give evidence.

His Worship considered defendant had over-driven I,lie liorse. It might not be that defe'ndant did not intend to overdrive, but he must be responsible even for carelessness. The offence was punishable by two months' imprisonment, but fie would take a lenient view of the case and tine defendant £3. and costs 265, in default 14 days' imprisonment.

APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION.

T. F. Crawshaw applied for exemption under the Defence Act from attending camp owing to his going up for an examination. After fully considering the matter, his Worship granted the application, on condition that applicant attended both camps in 1915. A CIVIL CASE. The only civil case before the Court was that of Manoy anil Hassoll v. B McMar4cr-;, of Taumarunui, a claim for £2 18?. Sir. Macalister appealed for the plaintiffs and asked for judgment. A telegram had been sent to thu clerk of the Court stating that evidence was be ing Taken at Taumarunui, but no notice to defend had been lodged, nor bad any application for an adjournment been made.

His Worship gave judgment for the i amount claimed, with costs £1 17s. but j in reply to the application for costs j as oil a defended case, pointed out that, i the judgment was b t v default, therefore the scale applicable to such cases must, : be adhered" to. | ■ . I

THE MAYORALTY. j

To the Kilitnr. j Sir,—l am very desirous of tendering either candidate for Mayoral hunOiV. of this town some gratuitous mivire. fam , quite sure the one that act* on my -.d- ; vice first is to be the now Mayor. T\,o ■ advice ie that the candidate must brnint . himself as a "Reformer." He must a" j tivelr accuse his opponent of being | everything that is corrupt in his administration. He will persist that all the municipal officials have been bribed, and that if he is elected and gets a view of the "pigeon holes" he will prove it up to the hilt. In fact, if he gets th" 1 cliance he will "electrify" the burgessos of Stratford. Then when he is elected the "ciio-sen of the people," all he has to do is to deny ever making snr-h statements. It's wonderful how successfully j this ?cheine will work. Then, again, : the proper way to criticise the balamv- i sheet issued by the Borough Council is i to say that it is only issued to the rate- j payers of Stratford for the "purpose to ; deceive." Loud and prolonged -applause 1 will greet this statement, particular'-,-from those who haviythe welfare of th:town at heart. In no sense should tlxcandidate adopt a constructive policy: that never pays in any elect-ion hereabouts. Any fool can be a constructive Mayor; it takes a wise man in be a destructive critic. For instance, in criticising the borough finance, show ho'.v extravagantly the income of the borough Ihas been spent—how £SOOO of good gold has been uselessly thrown away during i any given year. Then, when elected, spend cautiously, say, £7OOO on similar works, and thereby raise the rates, aii'l see the number of tickets you'll get from the btirgesses when you come up for Election again. In fact, say anything you like about your opponent, and when elected forget all about it.

Promise everything to everyone, iml then duly break your pledges. It's i lie way they do in the "proper" Reform circles, go it must be right. Remember

you arc a "Reformer," and all this advice ia gratis.—l am etc., A.O.E.