STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(All cqumuftcatlosi. letters, etc. left with mi H. I. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.).. (From Our Own Correspondent.) July 24. Apart from th« peace celebrations and the Catholic bazaar Stratford has been very quiet this week, and there have been few country visitors in the town Business houses on the whole are finding things a, little slow after the rush of last week, but the fine weather will soon put new life into trade. It is generally admitted that Stratford is a place thai; con be relied upon for good solid business all the year round, but tradespeople are now in the midst of the most'trying period of the year. The dairy farmers are the main support of the town and good spenders when in receipt of their monthly cheques from the factory, but during the off season thoy «annot give business people anything like the sums patronage, and it will be October or November before trade becomes really briskagain. Sickness in varying forms has been father prevalent of late; and those whose duty it is to safeguard the health of the people, have been keeping a close watch with a view to the immediate application of preventive measures should any actual signs of an epidemic appear. The chairman of the hospital board is keeping himself well informed as to tho position, and can be relied upon to take any necessary measures. So far there have only been isolated cases of illness, and that these have been fairly numerous is probably duo to the extremely trying weather experienced, which has been so conducive to severe colds. The housing question is just as acute as ever, and it is almost impossible to rent a house in Stratford at tho present time. Old properties continue to change hands, and. yesterday a commercial traveller, who had in an interview with your correspondent some time ago expressed great confidence in the future of Stratford, backed his opinion by purchasing, as an investment, a nice little property centrally situated with a good prospective value. Soldiers are arriving freely from the front, and on Wednesday another small batch landed at Stratford by the train from the south. The mayor, who when notified that men are coming never fails to meet them, was there yesterday to speak a few words of welcome and appreciation on behalf of the citizens. He called for the usual cheers, which wore freely and heartily given ■Among the men was Corporal Davis, who before going to the front was a member of the local fire brigade, and he was a little taken aback when he saw Captam Grubb nnd half-a ; dozen firemen In uniform waiting to shake him by the hand. They took him away with them as their guest and entertained' him at afternoon tea. The train service has been responsible for some strong criticism of the department, for which no one seems to have 4 kind word just now. A business man complained, bitterly the other day that while ordinary merchandise was refused carnage, no less than ten hogsheads of beer arrive'd by train just before the pcaee celebrations. In this case the critic was an abstainer from alcoholic drinks, but there are many others who are n«| abstainers and would probably take *ne same view. There was some soreness, too. because the department refused to rail a gun (a war trophy i to Stratford in time for the peace celebration's on Saturday, and with the knowledge of the refusal the business man referred to went to the railway station and saw the liberal supply of beer, which did not seem to him to be nearly so necessary to the celebrations as tho gun. At the Catholic bazaar on Wednesday evening Mrs. C. Massey gave the greatest pleasure to the audience with her song, "My Dear Soul," for which she received a pronounced cncoTe. Sergeant-Major Chapman, Stratford's favorite comic singer, assisted in the programme by i giving a couple of his most popular [ songs. Mrs. Aitken also sang twice, her numbers being greatly appreciated. Master McCarthy had, "of course, the whole of the audience in the happiest frame of mind, as he sang with nianner- , isms and acting that would hare done > nnv professional credit some well-known Scotch songs. Some good music was played by the orchestra under Mr. R. Cottir.. An important part in ontertain- , ing the crowd was taken by the Convent School children, who had been trained by the Sisters. The action songs and exhibitions of drill were excellent. Another batch of 50.000 brown trout ova have arrived from the Christchurch Acclimatisation Society for the Stratford hatcher}'. Several thousand yearlings will be liberated shortly. A welcome home social was given by the residents of To Popo recently to Private J. Cook, who is resuming his old position as manager of the To Popo dairy factory. Mr. M. Knox, 0 n behalf of the residents, presented Private Cook with a gold medal. The evening was mainly spent at euchre, the prizes being wort by Mrs. J. Gibhs and Mr. J. Smith. The consolation prizes went to Mrs. Oldridge and Mr. D. Smith. T. I. Lamason wishes to draw the attention of the public to a mistake in the date of Bev, Madill's sale. It should have read 31st July, no! 24th. He would also draw your attention to a specially fine roller top oak desk, suitable to business man; also Brittanica encyclopedia; together with rotary case in oak., MAGISTRATE'S COURT. ' ALIENS STRUCK OFF THE ROLL. (Before Mr. McCarthy, S.M.) July 25. John' Jacobovski opposed an application by the registrar of electors to have his name struck off the roll on tho ground that he was an + unnaturalised alien. Defendant said he was born in West Prussia and came to New Zealand lit ;187«, and had not been out of the cduhtry since, He had been naturalised apd bad paid, the fee of 2s 6d, but had never received his papers. The magistrate said the only proo.f of naturalisation was the papers, and in the absence of these he would have to order that the name be'struck off. An application to have his name reinstated could be made by tho defendant any time later if he could produce his papers. There being no appearance of the following the magistrate ordered that their names be struck off the roll: John Habowski, John Sattler, Josephine Sattler, and John Jacob Sulzberger. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default in the following cases: D.Rankin (Mr. Coleman) v. H. G. Behan, £ls; Stratford County Council v. C. McLaren, £73 17s 3d; T. Carrick (Mr. Moss) v. Stronach and Old, £23 13s 4d; H. C. Elliott (Mr. Moss) v. Stronach and Old, £23 13s 4d; L. M. Shotter (Mr. Moss) v. Stronach and Old, £IS; J. H. E. Mayhpnd '(Mr. Moss) v. Stronach and Old,

TRANSFER OF LIABILITY.

The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company (Messrs Johnson and Moss) brought an action against Thomas Wiudlo, auctioneer of Wanganui, and W. Donald, of Makalm, farmer, claiming £135 9s 5d and interest £B. It ap°peared that in January, 1917, defendants entered into a verbal partnership for farming at Makahu. On January 30, 1917, the partnership firm authorised the plaintiff company to transfer to their account £375 10s_ 4d, then owing by J. D. Oliphant to 'the plaintiff. William Alfred Hewitt, manager for the plaintiff company at Stratford, said that on October 25. 1910, business relations between the plaintilTs and defendants commenced. Donald and Windle called upon liim and asked if the stock were sold by Oliphant, and whether the company would finance them (defendants) for stock. Witness agreed to carry on Oliphimt's stock acrtrant on the usual conditions. On November IS Mr. Donald culled and advised him that tho transaction was going on, and witness took a statement of the position of the partners. The sale of tho land was effected at Wanganui. In January, 1917, he again saw Mr. Donald. The transaction in connection with the stock was then either completed or about to be completed, and witnejs took an order from Mr. Donald authorising tho transfer of Oliphant's account with tho eompany to the partnership, An account was then opened in the books in the name of Windle and Donald, and this account was carried on for about two years. Statements were made out every six months and sent to Donald and Windle. In March, 191S, Donald wanted .further money, and witness wrote to Windle on March 0 on acount of interest on the second mortgage not having been paid for three quarters. On October 22 he again met Windle at the office. He was acompanied by Donald. They discussed the balance then owing. Witness made out a statement en request of defendants showing the position" Windle said he would sell out his business and would place his case before the Efficiency Board and endeavor to .get enough to square up his liabilities. He also said hewas a pretty fair auctioneer, and if the company could give him a position as J canvasser or auctioneer lie would work the account off. Nothing was paid. Correspondence then took place between witness and the solicitors for defendants. To Mr. Armstrong: In October the company held' an unregistered third mortgage over the land. The mortgage was registered in December. He'did not ask if therV was any deed of partnership, nor did ho ask if there was any. deed of sale, nor did he ask for the receipt for the sale of itock. On March 10, 1017, he received a letter from Wmdle's solicitors asking for the particulars of the mortgage on Oliphant's land, and whether it was over the laud Of stock or both. William Donald said that in 19)8 he lived in Wanganui and was acquainted with Mr. Windle. In October. 1910. witness met Oliphant in Wanganui,' and they had a conversation concerning the latter's farm at Makahu, as a result of which witness saw Windle. Thev both eame up and inspected the farm. Windle nt that time was an auctioneer. After the inspection they decided to purchase the stock. The first suggestion was an exchange of Oliphant's property for Windlo's. the stock being included* Oliphant later decided to hand over to witness the property without the pavment of any money, witness to pav the debts. He and Windle decided to take over the place, and witness was to farm it on a salary of £2OO a year, to be paid by the partnership—profits or tosses to be shared equally.. After inspecting the. nlace witness nnd Windle saw Mr. Hewitt about the stock, which thev had heard hnd_ been sold by Newton King. At that time Oliphant" owed money to the Loan Company, and it was understood that witness and Windle- were to take over that debt. Thomas Windle, auctioneer's clerk, snid that in October, 1910, he agreed to purchase in nartnershi|> with Donald a farm Oliphant. Donald wanted to make arangehionts about the stock, and 1 witness, as a friend, went with him to the Loan Company's office, but took no part in the. negotiations. The conversation was between Hewitt and Donald only. The property wao subject to two to' the State Advances Department and the other to the Loan Company, He knew nothing nt that time of a third mortgage, and did not hear of it till February.' 1917. Witness Was partners in the land, but had no interest in the stock. He knew nothing of the order authorising the transfer of Oliphant's account. The arrangement was that if the land was sold witness was to receive half the profits nnd Donald was to take over the stock and the third mortgage. In WIS, before going to camp, he was in Stratford and met Donald, with whom he went to Mr. Hewitt's office. . He wanted to learn the position in respect to the third mortgage. An account was given him the following morning. Witness' application to the Efficiency Board had nothing to do with the mortgage on the stock. ' After further evidence was given, judgment was reserved. GUN CLUB. On Thursday afternoon the Stratford Gun Club fired for five matches, which resulted as follows: Twelve-bird clay match.—P. Casey (Elthara), 17 yards, 12 birds, 1; F. James, 15 yards, 11 birds, 2. Twelve-bird clay match.—P. Casey, 19 yards, 1; B. Green, 19 yards, 2. Box shoot, off 25 yards.—A. Nelson, 1. Twelve-bird clay match— H. Harrison, 17 yards, 12 birds, 1; A. Nelson, 20 yards, 11 birds, 2. * First miss out.—H, Harrison (18 yards) I; A. Nelson (20 yards) 2. Several members of the club will probably compete for the championship at Hastings,, possibly proceeding later to the big matches in the South Island. Those most likely to make the trip are Messrs. J. Jackson, A. Nelson, P. Whittle, and the piesident (Mr. H. Harrison). « —. A social in aid of the Bov Scouts' funds was held in the parish hall on Thursday evening, and, financially, the best expectations were more than realised. The programme, which had been arranged by the Scout Committee, headed by Mr. A. F. Grant and Scoutmaster Alger, conveyed to those present a very good idea of the nature of the training a Boy Scout receives, and the items included physical drill, first aid work, signalling, and boxing by the scouts, who were warmly applauded for the exhibitions they gave. In the first aid work assistance was given by Mr. SmithHoward. Scout Thomas gave a recitation entitled "Bill Massey's Stew," followed as encores by "Bulgar Bill" and "Caper Sauce." A song was also given by Mr. Shevbnurne. In demonstration of their ability to send and receive messages correctly a message of thanks to the audience and the information that the social had netted £l2 15s Od was sent from one signaller to another,, writ-

ten down by a member of the audience and read. A good supper was served by the social committee consisting of Mesdanies Beere, Insull, Childs, Alger, Grant, Pearce, Grubb, Gray, and Rudings. Chaplin Howard, who takes a t;reat interest in tho »eout movement, was prevented from attending by a sudden call to Auckland. Corporal Carley and Private T. Blair were tendered a welcome-home social at the Cardiff School on Wednesday evening. Mr. J. T. BeleTier presided, and there was a large attendance. Each was presented.with a framed illuminated address, the work of Mr. J. McAllister, of Stratford, expressing . appreciation of their services to the country. A brief programme was given, consisting of Highland dancing by tho Misses Ferguson, a cornet solo by Corporal Kelly, and a song by Mr. Horne. Music for the dance was played by Mrs. Bianchi (piano) and Mr. S. Parker (cornet). Extras were played by Misses Kelly and C. Smith and Mr. C. Caldwell, who also .acted as M.C. The following are the results of raffles already drawn at the Catholic bazaar: Art needlework tablecloth, Mrs. Rothery; pillow sham, Miss Bonnie McLeod; handpainted cushion, Mr. J. S. Lysons; handpainted mirror, Mrs. J. Orr; dressed doll, Mrs. W. Foley; dressed doll, Miss Elsi« Collins. The bazaar will come to a conclusion this evening. In the afternoon a number of pretty solo dances and ballets will be given, and in the evening "An Eastern Carnival" will be repeated by request. A violin solo will be given by Miss Mannix, and Master McCarthy will again sing Scotch songs. The doors nt 12-noon instead of 2.3o—the usual hour.