STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Oui' Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Yesterday. An accident happened at Waipuku about -2.30 this morning. It appears that a young fellow named Herbert Webber (an employee of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Stratford branch), was returning by motor-cycle from Inglewood when, just after passing the hill near the Waipuku station, he collided with a trap, that, it is alleged, was been driven without lights. The force of the collision inflicted serious injuries to Webber's head, and ho was also rendered unconscious. Assistance was obtained, and the patient was brought into the Stratford Hospital, where Dr. Steven found it necessary to put several stitches in the head and face, and it will be some time before Mr. Webber will be able to get about again. The motor-cycle was very much damaged. Visitors and players at at the Bowling Green yesterday were loud in their praises of the excellent green that is available for this season. The green reflects great credit on Mr. 11. Edgecombe, the green warden.

The Dardanelles Market will be continued to-morrow in the C.B.A. Buildings, under the supervision of Mesdames Sangster, McQuay, and Hewitt. .Produce of all kinds will be sold, and afternoon tea will lie dispensed during the afternoon. The District Railway Engineer visited Stratford this morning, and conferred with his Worship the Mayor and the Works Committee, for the improving of the entrance to the railway station. At a subsequent meeting of the Works Committee it was decided to write to the Engineer, and suggest that the present entrance be utilised solely for wheel traffic, and also a 20-foot pathway be made on the northern end of the vacant section for foot passengers. The space in the centre will probably be handed over to the local Beautifying Society to lay it out in the form of a garden. If this is done, the entrance will be greatly improved, and it is hoped that the Council will see that it is well lighted. ,

The sum of- £3 14s was taken at the bowling green yesterday, and this will be remitted to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

The Court this morning was occupied hearing was is termed the "Midliirst case." H. Gray and A. Douglas were charged with wills damaging the fire escape landing and door at the Midliirst Hotel. Gray was also charged with (1) using insulting language, and (2), with threatening behaviour. Mr. Spence appeared for both defendants, and entered a plea of guilty to all the charges. Sergt. Dale said Gray and Douglas went to the hotel after closing time and asked for drinks, which were refused. They then went to the back of the hotel and broke the door, doing damage to the extent of 20s. A week late, about 7 p.m., Gray went again to the hotel, and called for drinks, and the landlady refused to serve him. Gray thereupon broke, some bottles, and was promptly ordered out of the house. Mr. Spenee said that Gray on the day of the occurrence was suffering from influenza and took a drink, with the result that he did not recollect what happened. As - to the charge of September 25th, Gray went to the hotel to. see the proprietor, and, asking for a drink, was refused. This annoyed him, because lie was perfectly sober, and could not understand the refusal, and he picked up a lemonade bottle and broke two spda water bottles. Gray should have gone away when refused, and tTie proprietor was quite within his rights in refusing to serve him. Mr. Spence said Gray's conduct was generally most exemplary. He had worked hard at his profession, and was now a well-to-do farmer. He asked his Worship, seeing the good char- , acter held by defendant, that he would deal leniently with him.

His Worship fined Gray and Douglas 20s for damaging the door, and ordered both defendants to pay 10s each for the damage done, and 5s eath witnesses' expense*.

On the second charge, Ills Worship fined Gray 40s and costs 7s, and on mc charge of threatening behaviour, he fined him 20 s and costs 7s.

A charge of using obscene language, Sergt. Dale asked leave to withdraw, and his Worship granted the request. A local motorist'was fined 20s ani costs 7s for driving a car without light*. His Worship 'said people did not realise the risk they ran of driving without lights, and serious accidents might occur through carelessness in this respect. The defendant said he ran short of carbide and tried to procure it from the shops, but tliey were all closed, and he thought there was no harm in driving slowly to his home. His Worship said but for these circumstances he would have made the fine higher. A send-off is to be given Mr. 0. Bayley at Toko to-night. Mr. Bayley leaves on the 25th inst. for England to enlist. At the Magistrate's Court this moming, judgment by default was given in the following undefended cases:—Edward Mason v. M. S. Freer. £1 Is, costs ss; David Buchart v. R. W. SchafTer £2 15s, costs £l3; S. J. McKee and Co. (Mr. Lawrence) v. Charles Pearce 10s Bd, costs ss. The judgment summons case, William Elder (Mr. Thompson), v. Margaret H. Brooking, for £0 17s 3d was also heard, and an order made. Xews was received here vesterday by Mr. D. McWhirter, of the 'death of hi's brother, Sergeant S, MeWhirter, nf C Squadron, 10th Australian Light Horse 3rd Brigade, who was killed at the Dardanelles on August 28th. Sergeant MvWhirter served in the South African War.