STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

■\ ' (Our Own Correspondent.) BREACHES 01 LICENSING ACT. Stratford, Feb. 15. J'red. Whittle ivas charged with keeping Ilia hotel opeu after 'hours, and P. Beere, G. .Smith, and 11. Campbell were charged with being on licensed premises after hours. Whittle, Beere, and Smith entered pleas of not guilty. Campbell pleaded guilty and was lined 10s, with costs 7sSergeant Dale conducted the case for the police, whilst Mr. Johnstone represented the defendants. Sergeant Dale gave evidence that at 912 p.m. on December 22 ho saw Beere and Smith cross Broadway and go into the Stratford Hotel, at the I'enton Street entrance. Witness was joined a minute later by Constable Robertson, and t'hey entered the building by the same door. In the direction of the bar, in a room on the right, which was in darkness except for a light in the passage, lie saw Beere and .Smith, both leaning against a table. Asked them what they were doing on licensed premises. After a little hesitation Beere said he came to see Sid Pitt. Smith replied: "Oh, we're talking business." Proceeding along the passage t'hey found the bar in total darkness. Struck a match and saw Whittle standing with bis back to the <loor. Asked Whittle what the men were doing there, and he replied that Beere came in to see Pitt, who was boarding there. Regarding Smith he Mated that the latter had "just dropped in." He and tbe constable left the premises for a few moments, and then returned again and desired to see the bar. On the counter tound three glasses, one containing whisky and the others probably beer or shangv-gafr. Tlfey left the bar and came to another dark room, and, turning oil the gas. found Campbell crouching down. Campbell said he was there to use the telephone, but did not make a success of it. Whittle, when questioned about Campbell, said: "Is a fnan a criminal because be is on licensed premises?" Witness replied that he had ■said nothing about criminals. To Mr. Johnstone:? The bar was closed, from what lie could see. Beere's explanation that he was there to see Pitt was a reasonable one, but though he accepted it he was not satisfied with it, and said he would jiave to report it. Constable Robertson's evidence was on the same lines as 111.it of Sergeant Dale. For the defence, Philip Beere, stock inspector, said ho was in charge of the Stratford district, which was a very wide one. and he was seldom in Stratford. Had to see Pitt (who was attorney for a man at the front) regarding cattle, and an appointment was made for the Saturday. Saw Smith, and in the conversation that followed found that Smith was also looking for a man, ind thev then proceeded to tlie hotel. He had been in the hotel on other occasions after hours on similar business. Asked Whittle where Pitt was, and Whittle said he would go and see. Witness then sat down on the: edge 0 f a table and waited. Sergeant Dile then came in and questioned him about, his being on the premises. Only a minute passed before he and Smith went out into the street. To Mr. Johnstone: Denied ordering any liquor. Went there to see Pitt.. Beere's further evidence relating to incidents stated by the sergeant differed somewhat, the sergeant remarkinsr that Bee-re's mind was not altogether clear as to what really did take placeF. W. Whittle, licensee of the Stratford Hotel, deposed that on the night in question Beere and Smith came to him and Beere expressed a desire to see Mr. Pitt. Shortly afterwards the sergeant came in and told witness lie had no right to have the men on licensed premises. Told the sergeant the nature of the visit. The police then went out, and he stood on the doorstep and saw them going away. The police immediately came back and requested the bar to be opened. The sergeant asked him what the three drinks were doin:; there. Told him they might not liave been drinks. When the sergeant left a second time he locked up. Before leaving, the sergeant went to the telephone room and there found Campbell. Sergeant Dale wanted to know what Campbell was doing there, and Campbell told him he wanted to ring a man up at Xgaere. To Sergeant Dale: -Denied that when ho went to the room first Campbell was staggering to bis seat drunk. Could not say what condition Campbell was in when the sergeant saw him. Denied that he was standing with his back to the bar door and not at the folding door. George Smith deposed that lie remembered seeing Beere, the stock inspector, on Dcefnber 22, and he said he had to see a man named Robinson. Had a short conversation, and then tliev went to the Stratford Hotel, believing they would see RobiiisOn and Pitt" there. Whilst there the police entered and wont away- Was positive he did not have unv drink or order any. To Serjeant Dale: Was quite sober that night. Remembered the sergeant t ?oing away, leaving him there. " Mr. Robinson was standing on the doorstep, and told witness that if there was any case he would come through. Mr. Johnstone said the charge ajainst .Vhittle was that of keeping open bis premises, and there was no evidence of thot produced. The Magistrate dismissed the case asainst, Whittle, but, was not. satisfied with his evidence to tbn sergeant. The other two, Beere a"d Smith', would lie convicted and finccf 10s and costs 7s each. MILITARY SERVICE BREACHES, 'B- Fletcher was charged with employing a deserter. Defendant pleaded not guilty. 1 lie sergeant said the deserter had rime to the district and secured jvork on defendant's farm- The onus was on the defendant to show that he did not kftow his employee was a deserter. Defendant stated that be was short of Mp on his farm, and asked his neighbors if they knew of a man to send him along. The deserter came to him, but witness did not question Mm as to whether he was a military deserter.. Defendant was convicted and ordered to come up .for sentence if called on. A contractor named Neilson was simi- ■ Inylv treated in connection with a deserter named O'Gradv. ' Robert Horace Phillips. farmer, Xgaero, was also charged with cmplovjng a man who was a militarv deserter. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Rutherfurd represented defendant. To Mr. Rutherford: Young Phillins was examined by the militarv authorities ifi Featherston and passed He had appealed on religious crotinds, objecting to the shedding of blood. In making his appeal lie had not made it on the "rounds of tlie last roan on the farm. He could done so, but father had ad-

vi-ed liim not to take up that attitude. His father iiiul not ajijuovt-d of the youth taking slock lo the back of the farm, ami luul no knowledge I lint the deserter luul taken n;> his dwelling in the liush. Alter bearing the evidence the S.Stdismissed the information. AXOTUIiII HOTEL CASK. T A. -Sulliriiii, licensee of the Club Hotel, and 'J'. A- Ryan and K. Williams, were charged with breaches of tile Licensing Aet. Mr. Johnstone represented the defendants, whu pleaded liot guilty. Sergeant 'Dale stated that on tlie night in question ho was accompanied by Constable Robertson, when lie saw two motor ears pull up, and the passengers entered tile hotel by tlie private entrance- He knocked at the door and informed the licensee that it was the police. Heard Sullivan move away again. Instructed Sullivan to go up the passageway, and then heard a shuffle as of men moving. Sullivan then unlocked the premises. It was at the second knock that the door was opened. I.ooked in the liar and found three long glasses of lieer. Went back to the hotel afterwards and told Sullivan that Ryan and Williams ha-d admitted they were at the bar- Sullivan said: "I don't know what I'm to do." Ryan denied having any drink, but Williams admited he had had a drink. Did not note the exact time, but it was near the express (railway) time. __ T. A- Sullivan stated that on December 20 he was very busy, and had several visitors on the premises. Regarding not opening the door when the sergeant first spoke, he said he did not hear the knock and did not know anything till his daughter told him the police were there. He then went to the door and found no one there, and then he opened the next door. Williams and Ryan stated that they were returning from New Plymouth, arriving at Stratford about 7 p.m. The day was very warm and dusty, and thev cajled there to have a wash, and went to the bar to get permission first. Did not think it strange for either to Tun away and hide in the stables when they found thq police knocking at the door. The Magistrate held that the charges were proved, and fined Sullivan £5 for exposing drink for sale after hours, and + -t for obstructing the police by not opening the door \vhen first requested. Williams and Ryan were also fined 10s and costs 7s each. OTHER CHARGES. Simon Perry, a colored man. wa; charged on two counts, (1) witth purchasing firearms, and (2) carrying a revolver. Accused, who was not represented, pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s and costs 7s on the first charge, and convicted with 7s costs on the second. R. Moore pleaded guilty to selling the revolver to Perry, and was fined 10s and co=ts 7s. Applications for land agents' licenses were granted to Messrs J. MeCluggage and Co. and W. W, Hodge STANLEY ROAD CONCERT. On Thursday. Feb 14, a welcome tea was tendered to Trooper J. ft. Sangster in the Stanley school The building was crowded to the doors, friends attending from all over the district. Mr. P. 11. Wellington presided during the first part of the programme and extended, on behalf of the Wharehuia friends, a most hearty welcome to the wounded hero, also expressing the hope that he would soon be restored to his former robust health. He then presented the guest v.'ith a suitably inscribed illuminated address, Mr. ("5. Sangster, father, replied on behalf of his son Mr. Falder also spoke. During the evening songs were given by Mrs. Tapp (encored), Mrs. Bennett, Mips Sangster, and Messrs Cotton and Hamilton, the former being a returned soldier, nephew of Sir. and Mrs. Falder. Hearty thanks are due to all who helped to make the gathering so successful GIFT AUCTION SALE. , The following additional lists have come to hand:— Huiroa (A. .1. Perrott, canvasser): —C. Bellamy as, Ed. Meuli £2, A. .T. Coley and A. A. Churchill 5s each, G. Ford 10s, Arch. Logan £3 3s, A. G. Rutherford 10s, W. Massey 4s, S. Bellamy one steer, . \\ allace one harness poney. (Nama in parentheses for Y.M-CA.). Flint Road (A. 11. Huggett, canvasser) :--E. S. Walker, E. J. O'Connor, A. H. Huggett and Chas. Jago £2 2s each, \y. Noilson a:nd C- M. Burkett 10s each. 0. Fawcett ss, G. Bain £1 Is, W. Pollock 10s fitl, A. Miers £l, D. Nolan •is, Mrs. Inderbitzen 2s fid, A. J. Campbell two weaners, O. Jans one weaner, •I- Pierce one weaner, .T- Moor one fat sheep, E- H. Blizzard one sheep, N. Bar dressed poultry, Mrs. Bj'ran poultry, R. ■Phillips vegetables, G. Hendricks droving. Cardiff (W. RieTiards, canvasser):— W. Richards £lO ]os, A. David £5 ss, E. Bennett £l, .J. Richards, T. H. Richards £2 each, J. Cameron £5, A J Smith £3 3s, W. A. Benefield ss. C. Abbott and P. Morresey £1 each, C. C'arley ss, .T. A. Shrimpton one hack, threeyear old filly unbroken, J. T. Belcher one cow (fat), Mac. Ewing one weaner calf (bus), E. Sullivan one colt (two-vear-old), G. A. Marchant one cold (two-vear-old, unbroken, but will lead). Denbigh Road (E. Marfell and W. H. H. Young, canvassers): —F. Pedersen ;Sl Ir,_ (G. S- Ferguson two weaners), (l"> Irving one weaner, heifer), D. Blancliard £1 Is, G. Wallace two weaner pigs (delivered), Mrs. Lyford one heifer (18 months), W. Walker one heifer (18 months), E. Nach one weaner (heifer). F. Askew one weaner calf. A. Mills one '.veancr (steer), R. and L. Carroll one steer (18 months), ,T. A. Hall one weaner (heifer). Names in parentheses for Pied Cross. Christehurcli:—-C. L- Stead "£*2s. "TJcan" haireutter is a unique little instrument now going on the market, for which C. E. .Tames is the agent for the Stratford district. The "Uean" is a combination of razor and eotab, whereby one can reduce the growth on the head to any shortness. One can have the short military crop or have luxuriant tresses like an Israelite; it makes 110 difierence. There Is no danger of cutting, and mother can cut sonny's hair whilst she brushes it. The price is 15s post free, and is good value to those with families in frequent need of hairdressing. C. E. James will be pleased to give all information.—Advt.