A CORONER WANTED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 39, 6 July 1914, Page 3

A CORONER WANTED.

It seems hardly credible that in on important centre like Stratford, with a large and populous district all round, there is no resident coroner. The Stipendiary Magistrate is the official coroner at present, and he attends at Stratford once a week, but unfortunately inquests are matters that do not 'lend themselves to Deing put on the orrlw | paper for court day, so that even- time an inquest is necessary the Stipendiary Magistrate has to be communicated with to appoint a J.I». to act as deputycoroner. There are manifest objections to this course. In the first place there is the delay, which is a very important matter. Then it is necessary for a juryto be obtained as it is only a duly appointed coroner who has the power, if he so desires to dispense with a jury. As the- jurymen are paid for their services there is additional expense caused, and six men have to be taken from their ordinary occupations in order to enable a J.P. to do what a Coroner can do on his own. Any man of average intelligence possessing an elementary knowledge of obtaining a clear statement of facts from witnesses could ' satisfactorily fill the position of Coroner ■and there are any number of men well qualified to fill the position in Stratford. The need has been voiced several times, but, so far, without result. It is a distinct reflection on the town that it has 1 no Coroner, am! the matter is one that j should be brought to *■' of ' the Government so that the present un- I satisfactory state of affairs may be onded. I

A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the executive committee of the A. and P. Association wag held on Friday night, Mr. E. Jackson presiding.

Consideration of the request made by the Carnival Queen Committee that the Association nominate a candidate for carnival queen, deferred from the last meeting, was resumed. Mr. Kirkwood explained the method of procedure, pointing out that the Association was regarded as the most suitable body to nominate a country candidate.

Some discussion ensued, and eventually Mr. Young moved that the Association assist the object of the Carnival Committee by nominating a candidate. The motion was seconded by Mr Kelleher and carried unanimously .

It was at first proposed to nominate a candidate straight out, but, as Mr. Kirkwood pointed out that the time for nominations would be extended for a week it was considered advisable to give an opportunity for having as large a selection of candidates as possible, it was decided that the nomination be held over for a week.

Mr. C. H. Lawn wrote resigning mem bership, but the acceptance of his re signation was held over.

The N.Z. Holstcin-Friesian Association notified that they had allotted championship medals for Holstcin-Friesian bull and coW for I!H4 to the Stratford A. and P. Association. A vote of thanks was passed for the allotment of the medals.

The question of devising means to increase the Association's funds was brought up by the chairman, and discussed bv the committee.

At the request of the meeting the, secretary explained the course adopted by the New Plymouth and Hawera Associations for raising funds by means of an art union. After considerable discussion the chairman moved that the Minister of Internal Affairs be asked to sanction & raffle of a motor car, the proceeds to be devoted to the furthering of the funds of the A. and P. Association, and that the member for the district be asV ed to support the application. Mr. Brake reported on the state of the grounds. The secretary stated that the nails he had used to prevent the windows being opened had been straightened, and a pane of glass entirely removed in the kitchen so that access could be obtained. He suggested that locks be placed on the windows, also bars across to prevent persons entering. It was decided to leave the matter in the hands of the Grounds Committee, with power to act.

CYCLE-CA2 RACING. FINB PERFORMANCE AT BROOKLANDS. In the three-lap cycle- car handicap which took place at Erooklands on April 18th, five machines were entered, and all started. Mr C. M. Keiller, who was driving a very attractive G.W.K., with a streamline body, was on the scratch mark. Mr Lionel Martin (Singer) had 21see start: Mr E. I'.. Wa'e (Morgan) Imin.; Mr 11. Jones (Tweenie) Imin. SSsec; and Mr 11. Cooke, (MorrisOxford) 2min. 48sec. The result was Morgan first, averaging 5-1.9 miles per hour throughout the race, the G.W.K being a very close second with an average speed of 62 miles per hour, and the Morris-Oxford third.

GENERAL. The notes of the judges at the recent baad contest at Iliiwcra in relation to the performance bv the Stratford Band are as follow:—"No. 4 Band, Stratford. -Opening good, and band seems to he . playing fairly well in tune, but very light in tone; sopruao good and well in tune; solo cornets are weak, and several slips arc noticeable; tone very good in bass solo; trombone section very I good, trio doing well, but not quite together—you have played this march creditably. Accuracy, notes, time and precision «, rhythm 7, execution an! fluency 6, intonation 7, tone and correct method 15, interpretation, expressing Md phTasing S4; total 77. Inspection and marohing, 95; aggregate 172." Messrs. Boon Bros, have secured tno contract for the reinforced concrete I garage to he erected at Eltham. Mr. Bliek, of Stratford, is the architect, and kis client is Mr. Felix. McCuire. On Tuesday next, Mr. Robert Master will I>T request, present the prizes to the children at the Tuna school, at which thero is likely to be a large gathering. Drivers of motor cars, and motor cycles will do well to take care that their lamps are lighted at night time, as tho Stipendiary Magistrate has intimated his intention of making the penalics substantial.

Your photograph will please them all -some of vour friends have been expecting one for a long time—don t be satisfied wub. one taken years ago.

Send tliem a fresh pertrait, just aB you are to-day, in your everyday attire. Having your portrait taken is as pleasant as an informal call on good friends. Make an appointment to-day with Mr McAllister, Stratford.