STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 November 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Oitr Own Correspondent)'. [All communications, letters, etc., left frith Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] ALLEGED TIIEFT OF GELIGNITE. Stratford, Nov. 10. F. A. Bridgman, on remand, before Messrs. McMillan and Hunter, J.'sP., was charged with stealing 4251bs of gelignite, valued at £35, the property of the Public Works Department, between February 1, 1910, and July 16, 1917. Sergeant Dale prosecuted, and Mr. King represented accused, who pleaded not guilty. Robert Masters gave evidence d/" - ' V ing the approximate sizes of eases and boxes of gelignite, which were similar to the box produced in court. His firm (Masters, Ltd.) had supplied this explosive to the Public Works Department, prior to the outbreak of war and Bince. J. W. Jones, Stratford, employed in the Public Works Department, deposed to the quantity of gelignite stored at the works at Mt. Egmont delivered in 1915, and to finding that 3751bs had been stolen. He noticed the shed had been interfered with, a small board in the partition having been torn off. Had found traces of persons crawling in and out of the shed, which was locked. Could not say that the gelignite produced belonged to the Department, and did not think they got any of the same strength from Masters', although it was quite possible Masters may liavc put in a case of that strength with the other cases. He had rertainly seen boxes similar to that produced in court. To the sergeant: Believed it was quite likely Hl9 case produced was in the shed. F. \Y. Jackson, Public Works Department, also gave details of the quantity of explosives in shed, and there being a shortage of 3751b5. Both doors to shed had been locked, but the ground -had been scooped away as if someone had crawled under. No one had authority to remove the gelignite. A. W. King, farmer, York road, said he had received about 13 packages of gelignite from Bridgman in August, 1910, similar to that. produced. In payment he had given accused one coil of wire, about 1 Jewt., which he valued at 25/per cwt., and 4 white leghorn fowls, at 2s Od each. Also carted two loads of furniture. Remembered the police calling, but did not say anything then about the carting. Could see no difference in the packages he had and that in court. T, H. Geraghtv, inspector of permanent ways, P.W.D., said accused joined the Department as a casual hand in October, 1915, and resigned frorrj the service on November lfi, 1917. Constable Andrew Robertson stated that he visited the home of King, at. York load, in October. ■Told King that gelignite had been missing, and then searched the premises and , found .10 packages. King stated he had received 12 packages from Bridgman, and had used two. King said the gelignite j had been given in exchange for a coil of wire jmd fowls. Took possession of the teh packages. Next visited Bridgman at Te Wera. Told him a quantity of gelignite had been missing at the mountain, and part of this had been recovered at King's. York toad. Accused replied that lie had sold some to King about twelve months ago. Then instituted a search and found a quantity of gelignite between the lining and weather boards. Found about 501bs in the house and the balance in a cavity in the wall. Bridgman stated that he had found the gelignite in the lining of the wliare lie lived in at tiie mountain reserve. Accused, who fwmally reserved his defence, was committed for trial at New Plymouth Supreme Court 011 December 4. Bail was allowed, self in £SO and one surety of £SO or two at £25. BOROUGH COUXCIV The monthly meeting will be held on Monday evening. Included in the business will be the consideration of the fol- 1 low reports:— The Works Committee recommends tho purchase of an 8 to 10 h.p. portable engine at a cost not exceeding £l5O. Also that the proposed loan of £ 15,000 be repayable. £7500 in five years, and £7500 in ten years. The borough engineer (Mr T. D. Sulivan) reports that 721 cubic yards of metal had been crushed during the month, and 022 yards placed on the Opunake road. Concrete pipe culverts had been placed in Brecon road, Regan and Fenton streets. Water tables, Btone gutters, etc., had been cleaned, and footpaths in the old cemetery cleaned up. W. J. Newton, electrical engineer, reports as follows :-r.Since last report the gap at the weir has been partly carried away once. Not much had yet been done regarding the street lighting extensions wheroby 12 additional lamps are to be placed in streets apart from Broadway. In the Broadway scheme certain brackets will be released to Jo into the streets far from the centre of the town, whilst those being made by Smart Bros, will go into Fenton, Regan and other streets near Broadway. Twelve hundred lamps on order are believed to be on board a steamer now in Wellington. ELECTRIC LIGHT. The Town Clerk also submits the following detailed report of the working of tlio"above department since coming under municipal control: — For the half year ending September 30, 1917, tho statement of the electric light department shows a profit for the half year of £333. Including the balance brought forward from March 31, 1017, the profit for the 12 months is £350. The statement for this period of the year is only approximate, as tiio amount of stock and stores on hand has only been estimated. Councillors will notice under the heading ''Distribution of Electricity" in revenue the amount spent on maintenance of mains is only £63 123 od. This amount represents labor only, as the material used for this work lias'not yet been debited, thus reducing the gross profit by the amount of material used. On the other hand, [ have only estimated sufficient stock on hand to show a small profit on trading account. I have no doubt that the profit on trading account is larger than shown in the statement, and the amount should be sufficient to counterbalance the value of the material used in maintaining the lines. Therefore for tho purposes of a half-yearly statement the profit shown is approximately correct. The trading turnover for the half year is £4M, not including the amount of work done on the new picture theatre. It must be remembered that in addition to the profit shown a sum of £IOO has been provided for sinking fund, and £292 written off for depreciation purposes. The Council •should decide the amount to be written oil for deprecation, but for the purposes of this statement 1 have allowed I per cent, on the capital expenditure. GENERAL. For some time past it has been found that something should be done ill this town to- make the womenfolk visiting more comfortable during their stay. Hitherto many, found it a trying experience having to pass the time in

the. streets while waiting for returning trains, etc. A'ow, however, this is likely to be changed for the better. Mrs, Abraham has interested herself in the matter, and Dr. Paget has kindly granted the use of his shop in Broadway, which will be used as a mother's rest. A small fee will be charged for membership, and in return mothers witli young children will lie able to use the premises for attending to babies' feeding, etc. Naturally it will be a few weeks before a start can be made, but in the meantime Mrs. Abraham will be glad to acknowledge donations of chairs, lounges, etc. The Christmas holidays are drawing nigh, and some of us are beginning to wonder what we shall do about obtaining suitable gifts for relatives and friends. Those wlio are in a quandary will be pleased to hear that Mr. C. E. James has opened up one of the best consignments of Christmas cards and goods ever imported to Taranaki. These are selling freely, so those requiring same should waste no time. Fine range of Doulton [ware, jewellery, reading Blatter, stationery, etc.—Advti.-