STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Pxbm Our Own Correspondent.) [AH'communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will twelve prompt attention.] SM. COURT. Stratford, Aug. 3. The attcntiop of Mr. W. R. Haselden, 531.. was engaged for some time to-day over a bull-golting case, in which two Cardiff farmers wero interested. The plaintiff \va9 P. Stoffel, and defendant Arliiiir Johnstone. Mr. P. Thomson represented plaintiff, and Mr. T. C. Fookes appeared for defendant. Mr. Thomson, in opening the case, stated that on January 2 Johnstone's bull broke through the adjoining fence, which separated, the properties, and attacked the horjee.

A. Schnellar, plaintiff's brother-in-law, stated that the day after the goring he saw that the toull was on a chain. The previous day/, when witness went to bring his covts, he saw no chain. There was a five-yire- fence between stoffel's and Johnstone's- properties, the posts being 9ft. apart, but there were some posts broken off. The fence was in a fair state of repair when the bull broke through. Had heard since that the bull was in the habit of attacking horses, but was unaware «of that-previous to the present goring. Was in the milk shed when the bull rushed the horses that •were standing Vn the paddock. The first lioroe, a shatter* was rather badly hurt, but the injury to the second, a hack, did .not appear so bad. The latter was grazed by the bull two or three times, but in galloping away it fell on its knees on some metal, through the reins fouling. The.hack was about eight years old and was by Rothschild. Considered the value at about £ls to £lB. The second horse, the shatter, he valued at £32. Had worked the hack immediately after the accident. Would swear he had not told Johnstone there was no injury to* the horse. Tho shafter was doing very well, but was only engaged in light -work, carting hay, etc. He hoped tto use it for factory 'Work shortly.

I" At the close of tho evidence an inspection was made of the animals in the courtyard. " On resuming, Mr. E. Mason, veterinary suWcon, briefly . described the wounds, anif gave bis estimate of the horses' value. i A. Johnstone, defendant, said the Sences were not substantial, and he had 'had conversations with Stoffel about repairing same. After the goring, Mr Schnellar rode over and witness was informed of the accident. Inspected both h.wseaUwo days afterwards. Put the haoJc through its pacings, and it appeared to t*Uop freely. As far as he could see Hie ,Wse showed no signs of ill-usage. He '* *» n° b satisfied that the horses were b.*Hy injured. \ftej .hearing further evidence by E. Babbin-twn. A. C. Sulzberger, and E. Hartwiw manager for Johnstone's farm, the Magistrate said he would reserve judgment.

GR/tEIXG CHARGES.

A claim for .grazing was preferred by lC JBerrv (Mr. Wright) against P. Collins 'Wr. Rutherford). It appeared that plaintiS rented a section tor Miss Xeilson at 6s per month. During Miss Neilson's tenancy siN> allowed Collins, a stablekeeper to e '««• Tn June Miss Neilson ' s tern expired Vid Collins continued gruing. He offertM fid per week, but this was decline..'- Judgment was given for plaintiff for a.* W" 1 costs -

A WHANGAMO;.^ CASE '

A charge of shooting V**?** I"?" fened bv Thomas McDona * Mr ' K "™" erford) ' against Tom A own < Mr Fookes). "a „ . Plaintiff's evidence was to i°f d „ ' that he was away on the day . f . was shot. The dog was very use. u ' him, and was trained for pig-hum It hail no collar on when shot, havi. ™, slipped the collar. Did not sell the dog to Chas. GTOorae, but sold it to a surveyor, whose name he could not remember. Paid 10s for it in the first instance, and had the dog registered with Mr. Klee. ''Never in his natural" had he sold the dog to anyone else. Mary McDonald, wife of the last witness, stated that after Brown had fired two shots the dog came into her yard, and his last shot, the.fourth, was at the dog, which was on the hank near the railway crossing. Brown 'was in the yard when he fired, and her children about 15 vards away. Had no knowledge that the dog had been sheep worrying, and saw no dead sheep in the gully. Tom Brown, defendant, said he fired at the dog twice on his own property. The first shot hit it on the leg and the second missed. The third also missed, and the fourth put it out of its misery. (Plans of the locality were submitted.) Denied that it was a practise of his to shoot dogs or that he was in the habit of firing the rifle on the most trivial occasions. He would not admit that the deviation of the road where he fired some shots was a public Toad. Knew the dog was McDonald's, and had been ■•■viitehing for it. Admitted that it was his custom to shoot his sheep when in need of mutton. Both counsel addressed the Court, Mr. Rutherford adding that ißrown had *hot a sheep and the carcase was lying In the gully, and the dog, slipping its collar had worked its way over to the i dead sheep. The Magistrate intimated I that he would reserve judgment till the 1 next Court sitting.

[ A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. 7 meeting of the executive committee was held last evening. Present: Messrs J W. Boon (president), Tom Ranford. W. J. Lopdell, W. Pettigrew, and A. H. Huggett. The date for the next show was fixed for November 28 and 29. Mr. R. MeK. Moriaon was elected to the executive. The following committees were appointed:—Finance: Messrs Boon, R. Master, and Dingle. Advertising: Messrs Jx>pdoll, Bell, Masters. Schedule: Messrs Boon, Ranford, Pettigrew, and Monson. Chairmen' of committees: Cattle, C. Jackson; sheep, R. N. Fletcher; horses, H Harrison; home industries, W. rotiLew; pigs, B. Orr; dogs, H. Masters; fodder R Dingle; side shows, R. Mch. Morison; gates, S. M. Porritt; weightmessing W. J- Lopde»: one day test •|I Fulton; ring, D. J. Malonej office >M Wss R. Masters; parade marf»i :i i>. ... and W. P. Bailey.

SNERAL. rm V iMftl iDruidfl had a big »'-"f ntC * ♦ Vir last meeting, visitors bung ttt A Sum New Plymouth and as ar L • - V Minctoally the question « a ESZJ \JK adjournment was made St » a most convival evenuig befw wp£ snuai toasU were honored,

and songs, recitations, etc., made the evening pass all too quickly. Those responsible for the arrangements in connection with the Catholic social held last evening are to be congratulated on tho successful results attained. The floor was voted to be. of tin; best, and the music, contributed by Mrs. Biauchi (piano) and S. Parker (comet), very pleasing. Extras wore rendered by Miss S. Fitzgerald and Messrs Jones (Wanganui) and Foster (Klthnnil. The concert was much appreciated by the large audience assembled, encores being numerous. Those assisting in this direction were: Mesdames jlassey and Ca.ter, Misses J. JFieldes and Rowc, Messrs B. J. Peters, .T. Rowe, G. T. Walters, and A. Graham. Mr. F. Patterson (Xew Plymouth) also stepped the sailor's hornpipe with neatness and precision. Miss Agnes Eobson had a heavy evening as accompanist. To-morrow (Saturday) evening Stratford will move its motion to see the war through. The churches will hold short memorial services on Sunday.

The long winter evenings are still on hand. To those who find time hang heavy a visit to Mr. C. E. James' warehouse will soon provide a remedy, as he has in stock all classes of parlor games for young and old. Besides amusements, the warehouse has'a large range ofJJoulton ware, whilst the range of jewellery should satisfy all tastes. The smoker can secure all classes of tobaccos, cigars and pipes at lowest prices. "A tiling of beauty is a joy for ever," and the place to secure beautiful things is in an up-to-date jewellery stock. Mr. Ben. J. Peters, of Stratford, in announcing the success attending his sale effort, which is now in full swing, lays

stress on the class-value of the bargains now offering, and whether it be to-day, to-morrow, or the next day, you are sure to have the choice of quality goods, nothing else. The romantic side of life must not be lost sight of, as romance has a direct bearing on our stability. Young men are requested to fall in love and then into Ben. Peters' sale for a good engagement ring._ A nice choice in presents awaits reciprocating young ladies.*