STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 March 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc. left with Mr U. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) MAGISTRATE'S COURT,

Before Mr. A. Croke, S.M.

Stratford, March 14.

The claim for Jtldti (is brought by Mr. and Mrs. G. Bowers, for use of .Melrose Boarding House by the Hospital Board in connection with the influenza epidemic, was continued this afternoon. Mr. T. 0. I'ookes represented the Board, and Mr. P. U'Dea (Hawera) appeared for the plaintilf. Mr. T. H. Penn, secretary of the Board, detailed particulars regarding taking control of the Melrose House. He touched on a letter he had forwarded to the plan tiffs desiring them to resume possession of the House. Had not received any reply. On the 20th December Messrs. Dudding and Porritt cheeked the furniture to see if it tallied with the inventory made, and thought Bowers was present. Witness also cheeked the list and found practically everything was there. The last of 1 the patients vacated the premises on December 13, and the House was then disinfected. The bed and bedding was taken to the Technical School.

To Mr. M'Dea: It was quite possible the furniture of the house may have been damaged whilst in use. Regarding the missing letter he addressed it to Mr. Bower'",, care Malone and King. Saw Mr. Jones (clerk at Malone and King) the day he posted the letter. Would not swear he heard Mr. Jones state that plaintiff would not take the furniture back. Hud told Mrs. Bowers that if the Government took over the House the Government would pay compensation, but had no authority then. Did not hear Mr. Kirkwood tell Mrs. Bowers that the Government could take away the house, and was positive the word "commandeer'" was not used by either witness or Mr. Kirkwood. He wan Id not admit that in taking over the Melrose House tliev were trespassers. He denied that the bedding' was burnt. What happened was a portion was burnt and the remainder sold. It was sold because the Board had purchased this bedding. He was not present when Mr. McAllister (chairman of the Board) made the arrangements regarding the house. It was quite possible that plaintiffs assessed the value of the furniture above that of the valuers, Dudding and Porrit, and that the Board taking over the house broke Bowers' connection with his boarders. He believed the chairman partially arranged with the Bowers to charge a fee for the boarders (patients), but thought £2 per week excessive, and 30s nearer the mark. Mr. W. P. Kirkwood said he saw Mr. Bowers regarding taking over the Melrose Home. The whole of the arrangements were made by witness, Mr. McAllister and plaintiff. To Mr. O'Dea: Regarding the elaim for boarding plaintiffs daughter witness and Mr. McAllister only arranged to board Mr. and Mrs. Bowers. Admitted plaintiffs had been put to some inconvenience. and thought that £2O for the five weeks was reasonable. He would not admit there was a loss through the house being taken.

Jas. McAllister, chairman of the Board, corroborated Mr. Kirkwood's evidence. Samuel I/. Porrit, clerk, stated lie, acting on instructions, went to the Melroscand took an inventory of the furniture, which was the ordinary boardins,'house furniture. Some weeks later he again checked the list he had made out.. Evidence was also tendered by Dr. Stevens mainly that the influenza germs lived in the body, but not outside, and could not possibly remain alive in the building 24 hours after disinfection, and by Mr. A. Gray, Health Inspector, who deposed that he had thoroughly disinfected the house in December and that the furniture did not appear to have depreciated. The S.M. intimated he would reserve Ilia decision. GENERAL. At the A. and P. executive meeting last evening Messrs E. Hice and R. Ritchie were elected members of the association. Mr. Gadsby's appeal against the executive's decision regarding a protest entered against him at the recent show will be received on Saturday. At the Court sitting Mr. O'Dea, crossexamining Mr. Kirkwood, quoted a suppositous case: "Suppose a man and wife with eight children were earning £3 a week, how do they live?" Mr. Kirkwood: "They don't live, they exist." Mr. CDea: "I agree with you, Mr. Kirkwood." HEARTS OF THE WORLD.

At the King's Cinema Theatre, Stratford, on Friday, March 21, for one night only, J. C. Williamson, Ltd., will present for the first time D. W. Griffiths' sensationally wonderful spectacular photo play, "Hearts of the World," which, it as said, fairly puts "Intolerance," "The Birth of a Nation," and other famous film productions in the shade. Judging by the reports which have preceded it Mr.' Griffiths' latest success has set a standard which will be very hard for other productions to attain. Under actual fire in the British and French trenches, at intervals covering a period of more than eighteen months, was the nerve-racking experience of Lillian and Dorothy Gish. noted motion-picture stars who with their mother accompanied Davis Wark Griffith to the very front line trenches of France to secure the important scenes for ''Hearts of the World." The climax of "Hearts of the World" is even more thrilling than that of "The Birth of a Nation." Suspense is sustained on several occasions, women and daughters are to be deported to Germany to work in the ammunition factories, and an all-night vigil is held. The hero, or the boy, with the girl, is entrapped with officers and guards of the enemy v and the French, British and United States troops are seen slowly retaking ground which ultimately means the recapture of the hamlet. Every phase of the story grows more intense until the battle fought by the Allies saves all. j STANLEY ROAD PICNIC. Glorious weather prevailed for the Stanley Road School picnic at Mr. Hos■Jcing's paddock. Messrs. P. H. Wellington, H. W. Hosking, P. Phillips. W. Wellington, A. J. Chard (committee) and iiins Lilly (school mistress), assisted by M|ss Guppy, made every effort to assure the success of the function and succeeded. Gratification was expressed at the (presence of the Stratford Municipal Banc, musical items greatly enlivening the proceedings. A lengthy programme was gone through. Results:

Married Ladies' Race.—Mrs. E. Han L eock, 1. Second race, Mn. Wright 1.

Stepping the chain (ladies). —Mrs. Bell 1. Men, J. Aldridge 1. Young Ladies' Race.—N. Johnston 1, E. Guppy 2. 100 Yards.— P. Bottiu 1,. W. Tocker 2,. L. Wheeler 3.

880 Yards.—F. Bottin 1, R. Pattinson 2, L. Marehant- 3.

250 Yards (boys left school). —W. Wheeler i, Locker 2, J. Hamilton 3 100 Yards (Returned Soldiers). —W. Poynton ), L. Marcliant 2. 100 Yards (married men).—-J. Pliillips 1, T. Sherlock 2, T. O'Carroll 3.

Weight Guessing (sheep, 12filbs).—D. Tnt'iam and J. Misohewski 1241bs 1.

Nail Driving.—J. Aldridge 1, L. MeCracken 2.

Tug-of-war.—Single men defeated the married men, winning all the pulls. Sheep Guessing (boys).—W. gangster, 12flllis, 1; C. Phillips, ilolbs, 2; E. Smith mibs. 3. A concert and dance followed the day's outing, all thoroughly enjoying the day and evening.

T. LAMA,SON'S WEEKLY REPORT. My usual weekly sale was held lastSaturday, there being a satisfactory entry of poultry, produce, etc., Jill of which was in keen demand, and prices most satisfactory. I quote: Hens Is Cd to 2s fid, cockerells Is 9d, 3s, ducks 2s, 2s 9d, potatoes las sack, onions Gs, bran las (180), prime oat chaff £9 15s, tomatoes 2s 6d to 7s 6d, apples 2s 8d to 10s; pears, 3s to 4s 6d| prices all according to quality and sixe of case.

Now is the opportunity for ladies desiring purchase choice handbags oi best quality leaiher. Mr. C. E. James has recently reei-ivtd a large shipment of English goods, and is offering same at prices well within the reach of ail Those on the look-out for wedding tutd other presents will find Doulton ware is also being offered in large variety. Don't forget to inspect these stores when next in Stratford.