STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1916, Page 7

STRATFORD.

(i'rom Our Own Correspondent.) TARIKI YOUTH'S LAiP.SIi. I Before -J. W. Boon and J. McClnggage. ■l'-s.P., Andrew Drcsdowski, a Tariki youth, was charged on several counts with committing forgery by issuing one valueless cheque, purported' to be signed by his employer, H. C. Taylor, farmer, at Xgaere. ■tyr. Thomson (of Halliwell and Thorn--son) appeared for accused. It. C. Taylor, farmer, Xgaere, stated that Diosdowski was in bis employ, and, the cheque produced lie gave him. 'The signature was his but "the two other signatures were not. Another cheque-book was not his, and a iettei shown had not been written by him. Accused had no authority to obtain cheque-books for him, and accused had no authority to sign his name. Accused had behaved well, but had always appeared a bit softish. Henry Bishop," teller, National Bank, •disposed that cheques were brought to him bv licensed. He requested accused to get Mr. Taylor to initial his name. Accused then said Mr. Taylor wanted u cheque-book, and, after inquiries, he gave him one. Gujtavu.s Wunscli, storeman, Stratford, deposed to accused buying a packet of tobacco at Masters' store, and tendering a cheque for £7 10s Gd. Witness gave accused £7 fls (id, deducting Is, the amount of purchase. He believed the cheque produced to be the same. Thomas W. Smith, confectioner, deposed to accused tendering him a cheque, which witness cashed, after an explanation as to an altered figure. J. T. S. Reader, bicycle agent, stated lie sold accused a bicycle, value £l2 10s, on October 7. On December i) accused tendered a cheque for £l2 10s, and obtained a receipt. The bank returned the cheque, marked "Xo account." Sergeant Dale stated that when accused was arrested he admitted writing the cheque cashed at Masters', and signing the name of 11. C. Taylor Asked where the balance of the money was, accused took witness down to his hut, and there handed him ,i'lb Ss, and a cheque for £8 10s. Asked him what he was doing with that, Dro=do\vski stated thai"he intended to cash it. Accused handed over a new bicycle. Accused admitted making alterations to certain of the cheques, also that he had no account in the bank. The £lO Ss handed witness included money that Drosdowski claimed as his own as wages. Accused was honest in telling all he couSl. Yv'ilne'ss knew nothing against accused except- these cases. , ' ; Accused, who pleaded guilty to all the charges, was committed to the Supreme Court at Wellington for sentence.

GENERAL ITEMS. Whilst the Stratford Dairy Company are considering ways and means of manufacturing casein, the Elthnm Dairy Company are more concerned in getting their produce away. The directors of the latter company are arranging for increased accommodation at their factory by extra shelves, and also intend renting building's for stock. The <lelay in shipping is becoming very apparent, the writer being informed that the storage accommodation at iloturoa is also being taxed. The ground has.been cleared from the site of the new picture theatre to be erected in Broadway.

Xow that the holidays are on railway traffic lias improver!. Monday's south express from Xtw Plymouth was crowded, the influx being due to scholars from schools leaving for their homes. Adult passengers also showed a higher percentage, whilst the. goods trains are comprised of a larger number of truck! During the progress of the bowling match, Stratford v. West Knd (New Plymouth), on Thursday, one of the Stratford skips pulled out of the game. It was not voluntarily on his part or a case of sickness. It was owing to a telegram. The gentleman concerned was Mr. N. J. King, and the telegram was one asking the whereabouts' of his son, Lieut. King. The latter had evidently been mislaid, as the military authorities could not trace the soldier who' was to have been in Trcntha.u Naturally the news that an able-bodied man had left no word as to his whereabouts was a matter of concern to ill s parents. Mr. King, senr., immediately proceeded to Wellington, and was delighted to 'find his son very much alivs. in camp at Tauherenikau. One wouli have thought the military authorites would have taken, a little mora trouble .in looking up Lieut. King instead of alarming his parents. The Town Hall rocked with laughter liite evening, the occasion being the conceit given by the Stratford Concert Company, on behalf of the school fund*. The first part of the concert wss after the lines of a Christy Minstrel circle Messrs. F. Foley, J. S. Rowe, and S Ward, as interlocutors and end-men, kept the merriment simmering with their quaint gags and original jok;=. Other artists assisting were: Mesdames Gveenhalgh and EdmomUon: Misses Payne and Rowe; and Messrs. (!. T. Walters, 11 J. Peters, Rowe, and Ward. Encores were numerous, and generously responded to K v I' lo performers, who are deserving of congratulation for the swing and vim they put into their several items, As a result of, the concert the school funds should benefit by a good sum.

Before Mr. J. McCluggage, l.'P., 3 inhibition order war, granted this after'.loon' against a WhangamomciKi offender. The Wanganui Oarrison Tlauu :s advertised on paj£C 1 to give a grand -acred concert at the Stratford A. and 1' Show Grounds on Sunday, December ::i. The concert will be in aid of the Patriotic Funds, and a charge of 1fcr adults, children half-price, will bo made. Those who appreciate good nufsic, apart from the objects of the concert, should notp the date, and ail.end. Visitors from all parts of South I'aranaki are expected.

A lady was heard to remark that she was bewildered, and did not know what to buy for Christmas. Then she became wise,'and accomplished her shopping with pleasure and ease. There was no mystery about it. She merely saw C. K. .Tames' fancy goods shop, and .her worries ceased."'