STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 October 1916, Page 3

STRATFORD.

:■ -• - i I (From Our Own Correspondent.? ! - Stratford, Oct.' 6. If ever a town needed a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals surely Stratford does. There is hardly a- day without one hears of cases of cruelty to dumb animals. This morning a man could be seen in Broadway north thrashing a horse because it could not pull tlie load imposed on it. Yet any ordinary person, except perhaps this man, would have seen that the horse was not in a fit condition to pull a small cart, let alone, a load, because it had been down on its knees. A few days ago another individual was seen driving up Broadway at a brisk pace with a dog tied behind the trap, and the poor brute, was dragged along because it could not keep up with the horse; and yet the agonising cries of the poor brute did not. in the least disturb the driver The New. Plymouth branch of the S.'P.C.A., in its annual report, stated it had been unable to start branches in Stratford and other places in Taranaki. This is certainly to Stratford's shame, and it is still to be hoped that some kindly disposed person will take the matter up and make an attempt to form a branch, the need for which, in a. big cattle district, like Stratford, is urgent MAGISTRATE'S COURT. There was only a short sitting of the Court this afternoon, {Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M., presiding. In the civil case of Donald v. McCowan, a, claim for commission on sale of a motor car, heard last court day, his Worship gave his reserved decision, non-suiting the plaintiff with 40s costs. Charles Copestake was granted exemption from drill. Ben Hunter pleaded not guilty to a. charge of failing to attend drill. Mr. T. C. Fookes appeared for defendant. After hearing the evidence of the father the case was adjourned. T. W. Walker was fined 20s (costs 7s) for not attending drill; A. Childs, for a similar offence was lined 10s and costs Darey Cameron and P. Becre were fined 5s (costs 7sj each for riding a bicycle without lights. The charge against B. Laeey for driving a motor car over a railway crossing at Midhirst when a train was approaching was dismissed. Lister Bros, pleaded guilty to selling short-weight bread. Inspector Gray said an employee of defendants sold to him a loaf which was half an ounce short. It was claimed that other leaves showed a, slight difference, ana in some cases were over-weight. Mr. Coleman, who appeared for defendants, pleaded that a technical offence had been committed, and eventually his Worship fined defendants. GENERAL. The painting staff of the Railway Department are at present renovating the local station buildings. The Beautifying Association has a staff oi men at work to-day getting the plots leading into the local station into order, It is intended to lay both plots down in grass and flower beds, and in order to protect them a netting fence is being erected round the plots. When the work is completed, the entrance to the station will have a considerably improved appearance. Belgian Day is to he celebrated in Stratford to-morrow hy the Ladies' Patriotic Committee. Stalls will lie established at the entrance to tho Municipal Buildings, the railway station, and in the shop alongside Mr. Nicholson, chemist, where flowers, vegetables, and other produce will he sold for the help of our Belgian allies. The appeal is an urgent one and should be well supported by the public. At a sitting of the Juvenile Court this afternoon a lad, who pleaded guilty to the theft of omneys from a fellow employee, was convicted, and the father ordered to find, a recognisance of 150 for the 'hoy's future behaviour. ; At a meeting of the Stratford A. and P. Association executive last evening a deputation from the local Patriotic Committee waited on them with reference to the side -hows being run for patriotic purposes on show day.-.. After discussion it was decided to make a combined effort to promote a function in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund later on, probably Easter Monday.