STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 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, Jane & A BELATED CLAIM. A good deal of interest was taken in a claim for £lB, for services in ploughing, preferred by J. Scott (Mr. Wright) against F. J. Hopkins (Mr. Coleman). A counter-claim for services rendered, amounting to £ll 16s, was mode by Hopkins against Soott, beard before Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M., yesterday. James Scott, Toko Road, fanner, stated that in July, 1916, lie was requested by Hopkins to do certain work, a considerable portion being ploughing, j He swore to working on certain days laid out in the claim, which also included time for grass-sowing, stumping, etc. He made a charge of £1 per day, and provided plough and two horses. To Mr. Coleman: For the ploughing he provided bis own horses, but in the stumping woiik he had the use of defendant's horse- He 'bsfced his claim on eight hours' work each day, and considered £l4 a fair price. Some of the country was rough, but other parts were not so bad. He helped on bis own farm and then went to Hopkins' place, i usually arriving there at 10 to 10-30 ! aon. and continuing to 730 and S p.m. The area ploughed was in five paddocks, and for hillside ploughing he used a single-furrow. Hopkins assisted him in the ploughing on one occasion, but did not assist in the ploughing He admitted he was at the time supplying to the factory, but his daughter drove to the factory. Regarding his claim for attention to oows, he said he had fed them with hay, turned them into paddock, etc. To Mr. Wright: Considered le was doing the defendant a good turn in doing the work, as he had to leave his own work. Thomas Wake, farmer, Stratford, with 21 years' experience, stated that he had visited Hopkins' farm, and saw the sections marked on the plan. Three-parts of the work was hillside ploughing. This work meant completing a furrow and returning, instead of making a complete circle. Three-quarters of an acre wouia bo good average work per day. To Mr. Coleman: Thirty shillings per day Was a reasonable rate f or plough and two horsesRobert Binnie, farmer, gave evidence on similar lines.

V~ J. Hopkins, defendant, stated that in letting, the ploughing witness provided and plough occasionally. Scott woulij sot use his own plough, but used wEbißs', a single-furrow. Witness ploughed most of No 2 paddock, and assisted in 1 and 3. The total area was 14 acres, and he considered he did halt. He used his own horses and plough. Seotbt worked all sorts of hours. He produced his diary showing that Scott had averaged about six hours. Regarding the care of cattle, he was in Wanganui in July, 1916, being away two nights, Scott bong in charge of the cattle. Regarding grass-seeding, witness carried the seed, Scott doing the ploughing. When he went off the farm .in 1916 Scott asked him for £6, witness declining to pay. Later on, when Scott had taken on the stumping woit, he, paid him £ls, hut this was before the work had been completed. Asked by the S.M. why he paid that sum before the work was completed, oiapkin3 stated that Scott wanted the money to meet his rent. In the end witness, with Burehait, finished the ■ stumping, as Scott was too slow in his i work, which should hare been completed in Septoriber, to allow of turnips being sown. Other evidence was tendered by J. W. Burchart, farmer, who assisted defendant in completing the work; Mr. J. [ Bridger, Elthaim, who sold a car and • whose evidence was mainly to drive Hap- | lrinn and note the daie of Hopkins' visit to Wangamii. Roy Mudford, who motored Hopkins to his farm on returning to Wanganui, E. C- Robinson, surveyor and engineer, also to indicate dates in July, 1915, when a big storm occurred in the district, and the nature of the ploughing work done by Scott and also defendant. Mr. Coleman, in addressing the Bench, stated that if Scott had any dates he did not produce them, and those he mentioned in his claim were proved to be at variance with disinterested witnesses, whilst Hopkins had produced his diary giving complete details of this and other business he hod carried out for several years. They had the evidence of Hopkins and Burcbart to show t'-iat Scott's hours were very irregular, knocking oft alj 4 p.m. and commencing at 10 and 10.30 ajn., and claiming a full eight hours on each occasion he had worked. After hearing evidence, the S.M. said the arrangements made were of a very haphazard character, and whilst these continued formers must expect disputes. He gave judgment for plaintiff on the original and also for Scott on tihe COQUtfill'CbUQ. GENERAL.

The profit of the concert and dance held by the A. and P. Association was £45 l<Ss 6d. This amount is to be placed to the fund for enlarging the kitchen so as to permit of more expeditious work in catering during the Show. This work will be taken in hand almost at once. Last year the ladies undertook tlbe catering, and they will appreciate the decision of the A- and P. Association to give them a little more elbow room for tlie work. There is more than a possibility that another concert with the same objeet in view will be undertaken by the association shortly. The Stratford Card Club were at home to an evening with their JTgaere friends on Friday. The visitors enjoyed the outing although they received a severe defeat, scoring 41 games against 86 secured bv Stratford. Details of the play, Ngaere mentioned first: —0. Crr and W. Swindlehurat i v. H. Collingwood and P. Clifton 9; P. Burkett and W. Moss 5 v. C. Sneck and G. Wood 8; D. Tecofoky and T. E. Wilkie 5 v, £ Scannell and A. Payne 7; J. H. Thomas and J. H. Wisnewski 0 v. A. H. Nelson and J. W. Jones 10; A. V. Simes and H. K Tayior 3 v. W. Hawke and G. Wrench 9; E. T. Kneebone and W. J. Morrison 6 v. F. Collins and R. Grey 8; B. and WOrr 6 v. O. Cross and H. Leiteh 9; T. and E. Orr 7 v. E. Lewis and B. Green 6 Mr. P. Skoglund, town clerk, who has been in the South the past few weeks in connection with the death of his father, has resumed his duties. During Mr. Mr. Wm. Power \vns aetir~-(o!vn cK-rk '"■trat.forv! fountv Ccun.'.-ii'n montli.'y

meeting will be held on Saturday. The eyes of the world are centred 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 crockeryware are to bo found on Hie shelves and in packages. Mr. Man is also catered for, and he can smoke the fragrant weed, cany a walking-stick, and in his pocket choice reading matter, all procured at lowest prices from C. E. James.