STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

BPOLICE COURT. (From Our Own Concspondent.) At the Stratford Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr. W. G. Kenrick, S.M., James Patterson, storekeeper, of Tarata, was charged by the Registrar of Electors that he did sign his name as a witness to a signature purporting to -be that of Henry George upon a claim for enrolment on the Stratford electoral roll, without having seen such signature written by the said Henry George, and ■without hearing the said Henry George declare that the signature was in his own handwriting, and that the name so signed was his own proper name. There was another charge in respect to Elizabeth George.

Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr. Percy Thomson," who appeared for the Registrar of Electors, said that the defendant had witnessed these signatures without having seen them signed in his presence. While it was in mo way suggested that he had acted dishonestly, still a breach of the Act had been committed, and the Registrar had brought these cases as a warning to others.

Mr. Spence, for the defendant, said there was no motive in his client's conduet, airs. George had called at the store and got two enrolment forms, took them home and filled them up, and brought them back to the defendant's store. Defendant had then signed that he had witnessed the signatures. Defendant never saw his mistake and expressed regret for his action. He suggested that under the circumstances the Magistrate should take a lenient view of the matter.

'His Worship said that he distinguished between the organiser of a political party, who goes TOivnd putting people on the roll, and cases like the present. Defendant had no interest in the matter, and had done an unwise thing; in fact, people did not realise how serious it was to sign as having witnessed a signature when they had really not done so. Defendant had simply done this to oblige people living in the country. He would fine defendant £3 on.the first charge and £1 on the second charge, court costs 0s in each charge and counsel's fee of £1 Is. SLY GROG SELLING. David S. 'Maxwell, of Turakawa, was charged, on four informations, with selling liquor without a license. He was further charged with keeping liquor on his premises for the purposes of sale. Sergeant Dale asked leave to withdraw the last charge, and this was granted. Defendant pleaded guilty. Sergeant Dale said that last month there was a large number of men road making at Turakawa. A disturbance occurred, and a constable was sent to make inquiries, with the result that a search warrant was issued, and a quantity of liquor (produced) was found on defendant's premises. Defendant was a farmer at Turakawa, and lias a sub-con-tract for road making, and had been supplying liquor on the road for two years. This was a bad case. Defendant went round carrying the liquor with him. and, after selling it to the men, he invariably tried to take the men clown by throwing the dice. Further, defendant Tiad often been paid for the liquor by £o notes, and had very seldom ever paid the change back to the men. At present quite a good sum was owing to the men in this respect. The sergeant pointed out the difficulty in securing evidence in sly grog cases, but in this ease the men were so badly treated that they gave all the information possible to the police. The defendant must have made a good profit out of the traffic, because whisky that cost him £2 14s 6d a case was soli at nothing less than 10s per bottle, and, seeing that there were twelve bottles in a case, he must have done well. Mr. Spence, for the defendant, asked his Worship to deal with the matter in a lenient manner, and he entered a plea of guilty. Defendant, going to town, had been asked to bring a bottle out with him. Then perhaps the next time he went in he throught more, till it grew, and he had yielded to the temptation till it had reached a fairly good trade. Defendant was a highly respectable farmer, and had yielded is a silly temptation. He had given the police every facility after he had been caught. Defendant was a poor back-block settler with a store, and even now had suffered sufficient punishment.

• His Worship stated that no doubt defendant had made a trade of it, by the quantity of liquor found at his store. It was most difficult lor the police to catch these, cases, as people refrained from coming forward to give evidence. He looked upon this, case as a very bad one. there being no excuse. The fact of defendant not having been previously convicted was the only thing in his favc.'. ife imposed a fine of £SO on the first charge and costs £1; in default, one month's imprisonment, and £1 and costs in each of the other charges; in default, seven days' imprisonment. His "Worship added that, had the charge extended over a period, he would have sent the defendant to prison without the option of a fine. DEFENCE CASES. Robert Thompson was charged with disturbing a parade at Te Wera. Lieutenant Grey, who appeared for the Deleave Department, asked leave to withdraw the charge, a 3 defendant had enlisted, and had expressed his regret lor his conduct.

Ilir Worship allowed the charge to be withdrawn, but at the same time warned the defendant of his future conduct, and counselled him to assist in every way the officers in charge while in camp.

Cecil Sharrock was charged with disturbing a parade at Stratford. Lieutenant Kiev stated that this lad was, not (inly cheeky, but was most insolent in his mnnner, and had been prose'euted in order to give a warning to others. 11l reply to his "Worship, the defendant said we was seventeen years of age, had passed the sixth standard, and was at present not .working, but later he admitted lie was working in a Stable, and was ('itnmifc' "£i per week, but was leaving on Saturday, Sergeant 'Dale said the, lml was a regular larrikan, and did nothing but hang around stables. An example should be niiidc of him.

In answer to his "Worship, Lieutenant Grey stated that defendant had not expressed regret in any -way i'or his conduct; in fact, lie did not think defendant could apologise without giving check with it.

His Worship said the trouble nowadays was that lads had too much liberty, and had not enough to occupy their time. 'What defendant required was a good thumping, I)ut, unfortunately, if one did that one was liable to be prosecuted for assault. Fortunately for the defendant, the Act did not provide for this, and the most he could do was to give him the highest penalty, £], or fourteen days' military detention. Defendant did not evince the least concern aJbout the case, and said he preferred to '■ take it out." His Worship said the fine would have to be paid, or take the consequences. . f/ti ; Defendant then left the Court wits a grin, as if he had come o'lt of a picture show, instead of sometM-ng more serious, .j,..,. • .-.■-.. ■-.'■■•:' | ■„- I I