STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Cur Own Correspondent.) Stratford, March 8. LICENSING COMMITTEE. The quarterly session of the Licensing Committee was 'held to-day. Present: Messrs C. D. .Sole (chairman), J. X>. liicjliarrls, W- Hathaway, Athol Meredith, and \Y. Morison. The owner of the Stratford Club Hotel applied to the committee to decline to renew the license to the present lessee on grounds that were stated. Mr A. Coleman represented tlu; owner and -Mr. A. 11. Johnstone appeared on behalf of the licensee. The chairman said the committee had reviewed the request, and had come to the conclusion that they had no power to interfere under the War regulations Act, and that the application should have cottie before the Commissioner of Police. They would, however, advise the clerk of the' court to warn the licensee of the Club Hotel that he imrst conform •strictly to the Licensing ActMr." Johnstone ..pointed out that the committee's function began and ended with the question of issuing licenses, and had no ebnonction with any matter between landlord and licensee. He protested that the licensee had received no notice, and ho should have been given an opportunity to plead before any action was taken. Before making a decision the committee should have heard both sides. The chairman said he thought he had made it clear that the question of cancelling a license was for the Commissioner of Police to bring up. • Mr. Johnstone must understand the committee had nothing whatever to do with the application. Mr. Johnstone contended that 'a, man's livelihood was involved, and he desired that his client should bo given a chance. The chairman: We are anxious to give fair play. The recommendation of the committee is made on the report by the police, which stated tliafc tiie hotel was not being conducted in a proper manner. , Mr. Johnstone-said there was a clause in the lease that might lead to a Supremo Court action. ; Ho contended the committee was wrong in expressing its views without taking evidence. Sergeant Dale said hp was called or. to make a repoit. However, there was no application for a renewal. Later on. when a renewal was applied for, he would have something to say. It was liw duty to report on the conduct of the hotel. There was no call to bring the matter before the Commissioner of Police, neither was lie required to give notice to the licensee. The committee desired to call attention of licensees that ladders on balconies mu?t not he removed, hut kept in rcedmcßs for immediate use. The committee then adjyirned. GENERAL. Mr. Cecil Wright has recently received a menu card of the Air Board Olficc Refreshment Club., dated November 20, ii)l7- From this it will be that one could secure a very substantial mea. at a reasonable price. The bill of fare shows three varieties of soups, at a cost of 2'/ : >d each; five varieties of tisli wen available, ranging from shaddock at Od to fillet of mackerel at od. There was r. choice of five entrees at Sd, and cuts from joints of beef and roast mutton were costing IP/id to Sid. Seven vegetables, from sprouts at 2d to potatoes at id, and cold meats were available at. O'/.d to B'/ 3 il. Vegetarians had six i dishes to choose from, ranging from curj /od apples and rice od to puree of len|'.il3 '2hi Sweets (hot) included seven varieties at 21d a::d 2d. Those who ureI 'erred this cour-e cold 'ould obtain apple ii-'rt at 21d and tapioca pudding 2d. I •■. iiilst the sundries included seven v-sje- , ';■-, bovril and biscuits costing 4d and ; veddar cheese 2d. Best whisky 7d, • ;a;idy 7Jd, draught beer 3d and bottled ij-ass) lid, cordials, cider, etc., 2d. No ■".nclieon exceeded Is 3d, exclusive of beverage*. After reading the above it . looks as if the British nation can stand I a good deal more privation, assuming •.that the fare available here is typical of other clubs. Although Mr. A. Crooke, S.M.. of New Plymouth, has not been on the Stratford bench many months, his methods of conducting business have been very favorably commented on by all who have had occasion to be interested in court work. In liis quiet, patient way he has heen able to get through a lot of work to the satisfaction of contending parties. On his last occasion here he very quietly announced that it would be his last appearance as a magistrate, and in deference to his wishes the solicitors practising lucre made no valedictory speeches. However, the Bar. police, and press all regret that .Mr. Crooke will no longer dispense justice here, but trust there will be many years of useful service ahead of him at New Plymouth. Mr. W- R. Ilaselden, 531., of Hawcra, who has been sitting in judgment here previously, will rtsume his work. The continuation of the Fox-Foley claim for £IOO foi breach of contract will be heard at New Plymouth before Mr. A. Crooke, S.M., on a date to he arranged. The garden fete held on the grounds of Mr. 11. E. Abraham, Page Street, yesterday, proved a great success. The afternoon was bright and warm and the attendance very satisfactory. The results, £lO, which carry a. subsidy of 2.">s for every £l. go 'to the Plu'nket Nurse Society The Mayor was amongst those present, and in a very patriotic vein thanked Mr. and Mrs.'Abrahams 'or placing their grounds at the disposal of the public. The following ladies i-sisted at the various stalls,"etc : ■weets and flowers, Mesdames Ashton ii'.d Kivell; ice cream, Misses Crawshaw a:n! Sangster : putting, Mrs. Prentis; t.-nnis, Miss AVakc and Mr. Crawshaw; croquet, Mesdames Boon and Rcira; competitions. Mesdames Malone and C'niacke; tea, Mesdames Crawshaw and Crant. Prizes in various competitions ■•vcre won -by Mesdames Fabler, 11. Masters, and S. Spenee, and Misses Hartley, M. Harrison, and A. Rogers. A young man. Leslie Swale Chainey, of_ Toko, died in the hospital here on Wednesday evening, under distressing circumstances. Cliainey met. with a so" vere accident in rather an unusual manner. Whilst driving a waggon out of a shed last week the t6p of the doorway caught him on the chest, forcing him backwards over the seat and injuring his spine. Tie was removed to the hospital and attended to by Dr. Fergusson. Paralysis set in on Sunday, the lower portion of the body being affected Tt was soon apparent that the case was hopeless, and at the early ago of 20 years Leslie Chainey Ibecoines a memory.

(leneral sympathy has been expressed at the untimely end of of a family who are greatly respected in the Toko district. The Ngaere hall was well tilled at the dance held there last night. Excellent music was supplied by Miss D. Walker (piano), S. Parkei (comet), and W. Walsh (violin). Mr. 'Make was very successful iu the song "Somewhere iu France." The soldiers in this district are determined to keep up their end of the stick, and have appointed the following men, who have returned from the front, to look after their interests: Whangamomona, Mr. Kougero; Te Wera, MrEiynn: Cardiff, Mr Barker: Ngaere, Mi. Willis: Midhirst, Mr. Emvright; Toko, Mr. Neilson; Te Popo and Wharehuia, Mr. Witt. A social will be held at Midhirst shortly. Included in the appeals to be heard at the sitting of the Military Service Board on the 22nd inst. are those of A. IT. Hillock and E. Cook (Stratford). F. J. Coulter (Xgaere), J. A- Carlson (Eitham), J. Edmondson (Midhirst), 11. IT. Mawson (Inglewood). ' The "t T can" haircutter has proved a popular article in the household. Mr. C. E. James, agent for this district, has been notified that the Government eontemplates purchasing some, for use with members of the Defence Department. It is a unique gift that would be much appredated, particularly by those in the trenches, as with a gift of this description a soldier could always keep his hair clipped short, and thus be spared a good deal of misery and irritation. An invitation is given to all to see the "Ucan" haircutter.—Advt.