STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

; (From Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. ,T. Hopkins, bookseller. will receive prompt attention.) MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M.) HEAVY TRAFFIC BY-LAW. On the information of J. W. Spenee, .engineer for the Stratford County Council, J. Christoffel was called upon to answer three charges of having committed breaches of the heavy traffic bylaw. Mr. Johnstone, for defendant, said that, beyond being a director of the Motor Transport Company, defendant had no interest in the lorry. He pointed out that breaches of the by-law were committed every day in Stratford County, aDd no one, with the exception of Mr. Christoffel, had .been prosecuted. Why Mr. Christoffel had been singled out lie could not understand, unless it was because he had at one time been a member of the Stratford County Council. It was the duty of the Gounty Council to administer its by-laws fairly, treating all alike. As a matter of fact, some were given permits. It was never intended that sucli a by-law should apply to main roads, otherwise the King's highway would cease to exist. The tyres used by Mr. Christoffel were rubber, 14 inches wide, and his load was under two tons. The by-law was never intended to apply to such cases, but it existed, and the County Council had the power to enforce it.

Mr. Stanford, for the County Council, said it was a mere coincidence that Mr. Christofl'el was the first man to* be prosecuted. The council had, by issuing permits, endeavored to meet lorry owners as much as possible, Mr. Christoffel had applied for a permit, but the day proved wet, and, though Mr. Christoffel had been informed that he could not pass over the road that day, he did so. The defendant said his lorry empty would weigh from four to four and a half tons.

Mr. Johnstone said his client was prosecuted for running on a dry day as well as on a wet day. The council itsplf had abused the by-law by carrying Ave tons over the road in a motor lorry. , The Magistrate said it was some time since an information had been laid under the by-law. Mr. Johnstone: This is the first time since it wai passed.

On the first charge defendant was fined £l, and on each of the other two 5s He was also ordered to pajj costs 7s and solicitor's fee 10s fid in each case.

SHORT-WEIGHT BREAD. Alexander MeMeekin was charged with having sold short-weight broad. Mr. Stanford, for defendant, put in a plea of guilty. It was stated that, though defendant had been a baker for 2;j .years, and the weight of his broad had frequently been tested, it had never hefore been found short in weight. In this Base the bread had beeil in the oven fpr half an hour longer than was usual and this reduced the weight. The inspector stated that 20 lbs of bread had been weighed, and the aggregate shortage was 13oz. The bread was warm when he tested it. Defendant had been inWhangamomona as a baker, and his bread there bad been found to be light His former employers had been prosecuted two years ago. The Magistrate said that in cases of this kind it was the practice to impose heavy penalties, but lie would deal with defendant lightly, as he had only been in business on his own account, a short time. A fine of £3 with costs was imposed.

-MISTAKEN IDENTITY. 0. Richmond (Mr. Coleman) pleaded not guilty to cycling at night without a light. Defendant said lis was not riding a bicycle on the night referred to in the information. Further evidence having been given in proof of this, the information was dismissed. JUDGMENT SUMMONS. Harvey and Co., Ltd., (Mr. Gibson) applied for an order against G. McMahon (Mr. Coleman) on a judgment summons for £2O 13s for furniture, since destroyed by lire. Mr. Coleman said he was prepared io make an offer of ss, and, after defendant had been examined, an order was made by consent for that amount. BY DEFAULT. Judgment was given for plaintiff by default in the case of J. F. Foley (Mr. T. King) v. W. H. Stone, claim for £7 ■ LICENSING MEETING.

The quarterly meeting of the Stratford Licensing Committee was held yesterday, when several applications adjourned from the annual meeting were dealt with. Present: Messrs W. R. McKean, S.M. (chairman), C. D. Sole, J. B Richards, MeCutcheon, Hathaway, and Morrison. l

James O'Malley (Mr. Stanford) applied for a license in respect of the Tariki Hotel. "

After hearing Mr. Stanford and applicant, the latter 'stating that since the annual meeting £2OO had been spwit in repairing the hotel, and the question of repairs to the stables having been discussed, the application was adjourned for three months; meanwhile the owner was required to have the stables repaired. Catherine Enwright applied for a license for the Mt. Egmont Hotel, Midihirst. ,

Sergeant Dale stated that the windows had not been repaired, and a new bath had not been provided. An attempt had been made to repair the stairs leading from upstairs to the back yard, which eonstitnted a fire escape. The owner should be called upon to erect a new building, to be completed by the next annual meeting. To repair the building would be a waste of money. Mr. Coleman, for applicant, said that the committee's requirements had been carried out with one exception. Mr. Healey, architect, and the Health Officer both agreed that the present bath was quite sound and only needed re-painting. The chairman said they would adjourn the application for three months. Meanwhile the repairs must be completed. The owner must be given to understand that a license would not be granted for the hotel after this year in respect to the present buildings. The application of Cyril Paul Theobald for a license for tlie Commercial Hotel, Stratford, was granted, the licensee having cut off the connection with the stables at the back, as desired by the police. GENERAL. 1 A movement is on foot in Stratford to give the Hon. Major Hine, M P, » public reception 5n the Town Hall to mark the appreciation of his constituents of his promotion to Ministerial rank The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) leaves for Wellington on Tuesday to attend the Municipal (jo&fertnce, and «g goon

as he returns & public meeting will be called to arrange for the function in honor of the new Minister. Two lectures of interest to farmers are to.be given in Stratford shortly. The Jersey Breeders' Association, which is a very active organisation and is doing much to encourage farmers in their efforts to enforce the standard of their dairy herds, has secured the services of Mr. A. D. Wood, R.C.V.S., Government Veterinary Surgeon, for a lecture on contagions abortion. A further lecture, under the auspices of the A. and I'. Association, 'is to be given later by Mr. G. Taylor, R.C.V.S., on those diseases in cattle which are causing farmers anxiety at the present time. After Mr. Taylor has concluded his address half an hour will be devoted to answering questions.

Mr. Glasson, of the Agricultural Department, has been conferring with the Whangamomotia Settlers' Association concerning the proposed experimental farm in the district. A report is to be prepared and the Settlers' Association should receive a reply within a few days. The Stratf<#d Bowling Club has decided to buQd a new pavilion. To assist in raising the funds a series of socials are to be held. Private Arthur O'Sullivan was welcomed home at a social at Cardiff on Thursday evening, and was presented with an illuminated address by Mr. Richards, no behalf of the residents. On the same occasion Mr. R. Richardson, who is. leaving the district, was alao presented with an illuminated address. Music for the dance was played by Mrs Bianchi and Mr. S. Parker.

Mr. T. Laioofcson's weekly sale was hfeld last week, when a very good entry of poultry, etc., came to hand. He quotes as follows: Old hen's 2s 6d to 3s, other hens 4s fid to 10s, roosters 3s fid to 7s, ducks 4s fid to ss, fruit furniture, and general produce at usual auction rates. Mr. Lamasori'a usual weekly sale will be held at the Mart to-morrow. POSTED DIRECT FOR 2s Cd. One Good Luck Writing Pad, one Packet Envelopes, One Penholder, and nib,'one ILB. Lead Pencil. Send postal note or stamps.—Charles E. James, Box 21. Stratford.—Advt. Anyone requiring photographs enlarged nr.nnot do better than deal direct with the specialist, McAlister, Stratford. Don't entrust pictures you value to canvassers and jobbers, but send to MeAilister, Stratford.—Advt.