STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) TAll communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will teceivc prompt attention.] FIRE BRIGADE HALL. Stratford, July 20. Despite the miserable weather' conditions the ball held last evening in the Town Hall in aid of the Fire" Brigade funds proved very successful, and was decidedly enjoyable. The committee had taken great care to prepare a floor that was voted "one of the best" by dancers who footed it merrily riglit through the night, to the excellent music provided by Mrs. Bianchi (piano). Messrs Walsh (violin), and T. Parker (cornet). A well-played extra by Mr. Ken Impett is especially worthy of commendation. Prizes were offered for best costume* worn by the ladies and gentlemen, and the competitors made the most of their efforts to secure some quaint and original designe to capture the prizes which ,were awarded to Mrs. Gorton for best original costume (ladies) in "A Parcel ,for the Front"; Miss Mary Sheahan, best fancy dress "Ballet Girl"; Miss H. Reid best "hard-up." Mr. AY'. Walsh, as "Tramp" was awarded first prize for "hard-up" men; Master "Snowy" Croslanded the fancy dress prize in the costume of "Courtier."

S.M. COURT The S.M., Mr. AV. R. Hasclden, held the usual sittings here to-day. R. Brown, farmer, Ohura road. AATiangamomona, was prosecuted for discharging a gun in a public place. Mr. T. C. Fookcs represented defendant. Sergeant Dale called Constable Scannell. who stated that complaints had reached him of defendant discharging firearms. Chas. Milburn, farmer, stated that on the oth instant he saw Brown on the main road firms: a magazine rifle at a <\oa that was eating a dead sheep in a gully. Some of the shots were in the direction of a school. lie was positive defendant was the man with the rifle, and saw him fire across the road. Four shots were fired. Defendant said he was farming on the Ohura road, and adjoining the railway line. His sheep had been worried by dogs for four months. He denied absolutely that the shots were across the road in the direction of the school, or to the danger of the public. He was positive he was not on the road when he shot at the dog. The first and fourlh shots struck the dog. but the second and third missed. He quite understood the danger of firing across the road, and looked to see that the place was clear. The magistrate adjourned the case till the next court sitting. A CLAIM FOR COMMISSION.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company (Mr. Johnstone) against AY'. Hardy Jones (Mr. Hutchen), claim for commission of £IOO in connection with the sale of defendant's farm at Ngacre. Mr. Johnstone stated that in September, lf/15. Mr. Jones cave Mr. Bell, land agent of the plaintiffs, authority to sell his farm at £55 an acre. Mr. Bell saw* Maxwell and as a result entered into negotiations. A. C. Bell, land agent, stated that after Mr. Jones had given him authority to sell his farm he saw Maxwell, who demurred to one of the proposals set forth, and although he had further interviews with Jones nothing came of the deal. Some months later he heard that the parties he had introduced had effected a deal. David Shepherd Maxwell, farmer, Ngaere, said he had purchased the farm in question. He first saw Mr. Bell in the matter, but the amount of cash required ( £1000) was too high. He offered as security a house and goods. This was not acceptable to Jones, and negotiations fell through so far as Mr. Bell was concerned. He eventually agreed to fresh terms with Mr. Jones, and took possession in June. 1916. YV. Hardy Jones, in his evidence, deposed that he placed his farm in the hands of the Loan and Mercantile to sell. He had stipulated certain terms as to sale, and Mr. Bell had introduced Maxwell. The latter had inspected the property, but witness was not disposed to close with the deal without the amount of cash suggested. The deal fell through, but eventually a sale was effected by mutual agreement, to save the commission. He did not withdraw the sale from the plaintiffs. After hearing legal argument, his AA'orship reserved judgment till the next court sitting.

THE PATRIOTIC MFETING. To the Editor. Sir, —The criticism of my attitude at the Ladies' Patriotic Committee meeting leaves me no alternative but to place the facts before the public. Although Mrs. McMillan has not taken an active part in patriotic work, as Mayoress it was her duty to accept nomination for the office of president, a position j that the ladies themselves decided at their first meeting was an honor that should be conferred on the Mayoress. If the ladies who attended that first meeting will remember, another lady was proposed and had to stand down on the fact being pointed out. AA'ith regard to my opinion that it was an insult to the Mayoress and myself., in view of the facts I cannot alter this, because it is a fact that an active canvass was made in Mrs. Boon's interet; also, ray opinion is further confirmed by the action of the meeting after 1 had clearly explained that the Mayoress did not wish in any way to disturb the work or harmony of the Ladies' Committee and would be a-neeable for the ladies to elect their own chairwoman. This clearly left it open to the ladies to elect Mrs. Boon if they so desired. Now, as to why I left the meeting, the secretary (Mrs. Bud»e) advised me that when the president" was elected she (the president) would take the chair and carry on the mcetin" With my duties at the meetin" finished, surely it was my place to leave Nothing is further from my mind than to enter into a newspaper controversy on the matter, and, having placed the facts before the public, I am now content for the people of Stratford to judge tlie position lor themselves —I am. etc., J :YV.'MeMILLAN. Mayor.

GENERAL. The senior agricultural woodwork classes at the Stratford school paid a visit to Mr. J. W. Boon's mill this morning A lot of timber was on the premises for the work of making a trellis work fence for the school. The lads took a keen interest in what they saw, -.'. iv*r» > v *>' nUewl vuitx th» »unorvi.

sion of Mr. Boon, and much appreciated the opportunities given them. | A sitting of 1),,, juvenile court was held to-day. The boys who recently made an effort to do a little jov-ridin'" at Auckland were brought before Mr aseldeu, S.M, and after heaving ,„«.' evidence of their father the lads Were admonished by (he magistrate and discharged. Phe Tarjki lad, who had been on probation, eharged with havii," placed some gelignite on the railway line was also brought before Mr. Haselden ' The report issued was very favorable, and tlie boy was discharged. The Midhirst Dairy Company expects a large attendance of suppliers at (he annua! iiieetin? to be held at the Midhirst Hall on Monday, at 12.30. In connection with the "parcel" «ifts at the patriotic tea rooms and mart' tomorrow, it is stated that good value is enclosed in every parcel at "l/- each, and some will contain value to 10/ li whilst others contain art union tickets';,, eonneetion with the Crippled Soldiers' Fund Thus a purchaser may have the luck to secure a £IOOO prize. The executive committee of the A. and J. Association met on Friday evening Mr. J. AY. Boon presiding. 'The offer of the Jersey Breeders' subsidy for next show was accepted with thanks Mr Reader was requested to attend to si-ms on the show grounds, and prices to°l charged for dinner, luncheon etc were fixed. Mr. Campbell Jackson is'to be requested to accept a position on the executive committee. The question of canvassing for new members was discussed, and the district is to be worked as under:—Pembroke and Monmouth roads, H. Harrison; Cardiff and Climie road. T. Ranford and Jones; Southern, C. Jackson.and Dingle; Stratford borough, the president, AA". Lopdell and Pettigrew. Six 9-inch pipes are to be procured for lower stock entrance. The farewell social and dance is to be held in the Toko Coronation Hall next Thursday promises to prove most successful. The occasion is one to bid farewell to Air. and Mrs. R. J). Milne, who have been farming at Toko for many years, and are deservedly popular. Particulars are advertised in another column.

The Borouah Council is busy experimenting to lighten Broadway.' C. E. James is also engaged lightening (he long winter nights, and has opened up a huge array of parlor games that should afford pastime and amusement to oldster* and youngsters. A fine range of reading matter by the most popular authors is also available at lowest prices.* In recognition of the hearty support accorded him during his business term of three years in Stratford, Mr. Ben. J. Peters, who has more than justified his claim as a first-class watchmaker and jeweller, has decided to offer for the period of one month the whole of his high-class stock of watches, rings, jewellery, and plate at a tangible reduction on present prices. The quality of Mr. Peters' stock is well known, "and the bargains offering in engagement and diamond rings, watch-bangles, etc., will be very real and will afford opportunities to 1 secire lasting gifts. The date fixed for the commencement of the sale is Saturday. July 21.*