STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc.. left with Mr H. J Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] Stratford, June 7. Sill COURT. Tho usual fortnightly sitting of the Gofirt was held before Mr. W R. Haselden, S.M-, to-day. Paul Zimmerman was charged tliat at Wljangamomona on May 20 lie supplied Stanley Rogers, a memiber of the Expeditionary Forces, with liquor for consumption off the premises, contrary to the War Regulations published on February 16, 1915. Sergeant Dale represented the police, and Mr. Coleman appeared for defendants and entered a plea of nit guilty. Constable Potter, Whangamamona, stated that on May 20 lie was at the post office thcTe, when a man named Rogers passed. He had a bottle of beer in his pocket. Asked him where he purchased the beer, and was told it was given to him by Zimmerman at the Whajigaimomona Hotel. Then saw defendant, who admitted the gift, and said he had some reoollection of it being an offence to supply soldiers with liquor off licensed premises. Defendant stated that whilst at Whangamamona lie purchased three bottles of beer, and for convenience in carrying, requested Rogers to carry one to the railway station. IHe was a returned soldier, being discharged on August 8, 1916. He was in the forces 1$ months, and was for nine and a-half weeks on Gallipoli, being invalided horSe through enteric fever. Mr Coleman urged that the S.jVL should deal leniently with defendant. Zimmerman was a foreigner, and wherf he told the police he would plead guilty did not really understand the meaning of the words. Counsel did not deny giving the liquor to Rogers, but denied it was for Rogers' consumption.

The 6.M said it was very convenient for one giving an intimation of pleading guilty to the police and then withdrawing it. To save expense, the police did not call further witnesses, but if this statement of defence was persisted in the police would refuse to take iTie admissions, and defendants would have to pay the expenses of witnesses. His "Worship asked if there were any previous convictions against Zimmerman. Sergeant Dale, replying, stated that he had been convicted of drunkenness, resisting the police, and using obscene language. He was a violent man whilst in liquor, and required three men to bring him to the station. The S.M. said that all men who had gone to the front came back with a good deal to their credit, and they could draw against that credit up to a certain ex- | tent. Defendant, however, seemed to have exhausted his credit, and, much as ,he regretted having to convict a re- ; turned soldier, he (Zimmerman) would be convicted and fined ss, costs 17s.

The attention of the Court was taken up for a few hours in a claim and counter-claim between J. Scott (Mr. Wright) and F J. Hopkins (Mr. ColeHi). The action arose out of a stumping and ploughing contract let by Hopkins to Scott, in which Hopkins alleged he did half the work Scott's claim was for £lB, and Hopkins £l7 15s. After evidence, the S.M. gave judgment for plaintiffs in each case. In the first instance for £lO Ss, with £4 5s costs, and in the second case £1 Is, without costsGENERAL. "Come on, man; don't keep the Court waiting all day for an answer," remarked the S.M. more than once to witnesses who seemed unable to frame answers to simple questions, and fenced a direct reply with the adroitness of a bashful lover. At the court this morning witness and counsed became entangled over ploughing Witness thought No- 4 paddock was first worked, then swung round to 3, then 2. Counsel persisted in a straight anßwer, and witness told him not to get excited, counsel retorting "that he would have no impertinence. Witness was there to answer questions only." A dance in aid of the Ngacre Hall funds was held last evening, but although the floor was in excellent order He attendance was rather disappointing. However, all present thoroughly enjoyed dancing to the excellent music of Mrs. Bianchi (piano) Messrs S. Parker (cornet) and W. Walsh (violin). Extras were contributed by Misses T Kneebone and E. Coulter and Mr A. Coleman. The duties of M.C- were in the able hands of Mr 0 Coleman. There are many Stratfordians who will regret to hear that private messages indicate that Mr F. Bowler, M.A., recently farewelled at the Stratford School and now in camp, has found the work much too strenuous, and expected to be discharged. His school associates will be .pleased to welcome him back to his old duties once more. In the Stratford-Rovers' match, the Stratford team scored three tries, with one converted, instead of two tries mentioned in yesterday's issue. Kivell brothers and M'Cullough scored the triesJune 7 An indignant farmer got rid of a little superfluous anger to "Your Own'' yesterday. He was not disturbed at the German advance at the front, the lack of shipping or the need for curtailing raining. What created his anger was the fact that the best lands in and around Stratford is being monopolised by the Swiss people. He mentions that a land agent in a neighbouring town one day sold three farms, and two of these went to Swiss dairymen. He says he has relatives at the front, and does not like the idea of the best dairy lands going to foreigners, so that when the young men come back from the firing line they will find it necessary to go on to very bad country while the foreign clement are being allowed to get the best of the dairy land. He thinks the fairest method is to lease these lands for the resent, not to part with the leasehold, and then, aftcrthe war, allow the land to be sold to the highest bidder (returned solders for preference.) He maintains that a man now may have a few hundred pounds invested in a farm, is called up, and has to sell at a sacrifice. Coming back he probably will not be the same man. and then to obtain a livelihood he will be obliged to take up inferior land and go further back in the interor to work it. The few hundred pounds he sacrifices may make all the difference between succes3 and failure in his life, whilst all should recognise the need of keeping the returned men as near to eivilsation as possible. The farms clip-.-ging hands he refers to are ideal and hold gr»at possibilities

for intensive farming, whereas in, his opinion some ot the hilly country ' ; out back" makes it almost an impossibility to obtain a livelihood who is not in possession of the best health and. strength. The eyes of the world are contred on the great German offensive, but the eyes of the thrifty wife are focussed on the good goods at small prices being offered by .Mr C- E. James. His premises are replete with the useful and ornamental. Goldware, silverware, copperware, and croekeryware are to bo found on the shelves and in packages. Mr. Jlan is also catered for, and he can smoke the fragrant weed, carry a walking-stick, an<l in his pocket choice reading matter, all procured at lowest prices from C. E. James.