STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1920, Page 7

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NEWB. BTBATFOBD AGENCY. should be the office of UDloa Eauk. £ ' reSenta " i,e ' J " ffll3on ' , MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Ootober 8. Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presided over the fortnightly sitting of the Magistrate's Court to-day. _ Thomas McKenna, charged with allowing a cow to trespass in the vard at Whangamomona on September'l. was lined 10s and costd 7s. Ernest Selby, charged With driving a trap at night without a light in the borough of Stratford, wag fined fig and costs 17s Judgment was given for the plaintiff by default in each of the following ca3M: —Truby King (Mr. Tyrer) v. Annie Cheeseman, £ll 6s 3d (costs £1 16s), against separate estate of defendant; Masters', Ltd. (Mr. Fookes) v, George AJgie, £'l9 8s Id (co9ts £2 14s); Charles Herbert Bridger v. Clara Maud Hatcher, late Clara Maud Hunter, £l2 (costs £1 16s). The Hjrmers' Co-operative Organisation Society (Mr. Moss) proceeded against (Cyril Hurley on a judgment summons for payment of a d»bt of £49 09 6d. Debtor stated that he \was a single man employed by the Public Works Department on Toad construction, and his earnings amounted to approximately £3 10s a week. He had formerly bad the mail contract between Eltham and Ojaona, but was sold up l>y his creditors after he li.id had a good deal of bad luck. He the amount of the claim against him, which, he said, should be about £32. The Magistrate said that the debtor should interview the society, and if there had been a mistake in his account it would probably be adjusted. An order would be made for payment of the amount of £49 0s 6d on or before October 9, in default sue weeks imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended so long as the debtor paid instalments oft the account at the rate at £1 * wont

SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT. The school entertainment which was J given in the Town Hall last sight was a thorough success from every point of view, and should be the means of con-, aiderably augmenting the funds of the committee. The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity long before the time of starting, and many late coiners had to be turned away, while others bad to stand throughout the performance. The entertainment took the form of a Jap- [ anese operetta, entitled "Sunrise Land," p and was produced under the able direction of Mr. J. Edmondson, to whom a large amount of credit is due. The story really was of a young Japanese girl, Lotus Blossom, who had been on a visit to England, and on her return to her homeland was regaling her friends with . a description of her experiences and the quaint customs (from the Jap- [ anese viewpoint) of the English people. I The play was not without a good deal of genuine humor, and the acting and singing want off splendidly, meeting with the hearty applause of the audience. The chorus consisted of 80 voices, and the stage and scenic effects were excellently arranged. Miss Maida Ward capably acted the part of "Lotus Blossom," and the other principals associated with her were Miss Doreen Hammond as "Sang Toy," Miss Doris Ellis as "Apple Blossom," Miss Phyllis Weston as "Cherry Blossom," Miss Florence Richardson as "Sing Ling," Miss Beryl Masters as "Yum Yum." Miss Isabel Beere gave a charming exhibition of dancing, and sang "The Merry Little Jap," her performance being the brightest of the evening. In addition to the many chorus items, Miss Hammond sang "The Japanese Love Song," Master Lindsay Ruscoe played a mandoline solo, Miss Rebecca Taylor sang "Under the Umbrella," and Master "Teddy" Alger took his part splendidly as the leader of the Japanese warriors. As the "Coolie" Master Ray Fever was also a distinct success. A popular local vocalist, in the person of Mr. A. D. Bills, earned the applause of the audience by his rendering of several songs appropriate to the 'occasion. His fifst number was "Let Me Like a Soldier Fall," and for an encore he sang "Homeland," while his second numbers consisted of "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" and "Until." Mr. J. W. Boon, the chairman of the School Committee, expressed the thanks of the committee for the support of the public, and on his motion a special vote of thanks was accorded Mr. J. Edmondson, the producer of the operetta, by acclamation. Owing to the success of the entertainment the committee have decided to repeat it at an early date to ts arranged. ASSESSMENT COURT. A sitting of the Assessment Court held in Stratford to-day for the purpose of hearing objections against the revised valuations in the Stratford county. Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., was president, and the assessors with him were Mr. E. A. Campbell for the Government, and Mr. G. A. Marchant for County Council. Seven objections were lodged, but only two objectors put in an appearance. Mr. Gardiner, of Wanganui, represented the Valuation Department. Mr. J. C. Bobbins, local Deputy Public Trustee, objected to the valuation on ! a section of 59 acres on the Monmouth : Koad, in the estate of the late Margaret I O'ConnelL The capital valuation had j been assessed at £1546,'0f which £1416 ; represented the unimproved value and : £l3O the value of improvements, and I this valuation was objected to on the 2rounds that the Department's valuation was higher than the selling value of the land. The land did not contain any ; buildings, and the valuation worked out I at £29 4s per acre; and, although adjoining sections had been sold as high as £6O per acre, witness contended that a great deal more money would have to be spent on the property before it could be sold for the Government valu- | ation. The property was at present bej ing leased at a rental of £35 per I annum. Archibald Wright, Government Valuer, gave evidence that the valuation had been fixed on an equitable basis. The Court sustained the valuation. John Paul, for whom Mr. L. M. Moss appeared, objected to the valuation of the valuation put on his property of 101 acres 2 roods 12 perches situated on the Pembroke Road, being less than two miles from the Stratford Post Office. I He capital value had been assessed at an «4ißßS«ri , !

vajue of £3030 and improvements valued at £lBlO. The objection Was based on the grounds that the value of improvement y had been taken into consideration in assessing the unimproved value, which was too high. The property was badly broken by creeks, and a portion, consisting of about sixteen acres, was very wet and iswamipy and could not be drained. Objector said he thought the unimproved valne should be reduced and added to the value for improvements. George Sangster, farmer, said he had inspected the farm and he considered the valuation of the improvements had been filed at too low a figure. The farm was one of the best improved in the district, but he considered that the unimproved value should not be more than £lB per acre. He would not care to give more than £SO an acre for the farm. He thought the farm might sell for £GO an acre, but that would be because at the present time land was being bought for much over its real value. If butterfat came down sixpence instead of going up, there would be a terrible smash in Taranaki. Archibald Wright, Government Valuer, said he had put the unimproved value at £3O an aoro, which he considered was quite equitable. Mr. Gardiner expressed his willingness to add £2 an acre to the value of the improvements, but not to reduce the unimproved value. The Court amended the valuation by reducing the unimproved value from £3030 to £2828, and increasing the value of the improvements to £2022, making the capital value £4840, the same as before. GENERAL. What will probably be the final episode in the well-known Hunter-Bridger drama, was enacted at the Stratford Magistrate's Court. thi3 morning, when Charles Herbert Bridger sued Clara Maud Hatcher, formerly Clara Maud Hunter, for the recovery of a sum of £l2 lent by plaintiff to the defendant in September, 1919, shortly after the furniture smashing incident. The case was not defended, and Bridger made application for judgment in person, no solicitor appearing for him. The Magistrate granted judgment for the amount of the claim, with costs £1 ss. A meeting of the executive committee of the Stratford A. and P. Association was held last night, the president, Mr. G. Sangster, occupying the chair. It was

decided to revive the competition at the show in the class for harness horses, for 9 a trotting mare or gelding, to be driven J in full harness, speed, action and appearance to be taken into account, horses in 1 training not being eligible to compete. 3 It was resolved to utilise the dog 3 pavilion at the show grounds for school ? exhibits and trade displays, and to provide other suitable accommodation for ' the dogs. A good deal of routine business relative to the arrangements for the ', show was transacted. A street sale and collection in aid of * the funds of the Stratford School will be ( held on Saturday next, October 10, and active preparations are being made by the committee in charge of arranget ments. j In connection with ths St. Mary's ! Diocesan School for girls, a Sale of , Work is to be held in the Parish Hall, Stratford, to-morrow (Saturday) afteri noon and evening. There will bs no charge for admission in the afternoon, i but in the evening, when the musical , fairy tale "The Sleeping Beauty" will be produced by the pupils, a charge of Is , will be made. The sale will be open from 2 till 5 p.m., and again from 7.15 i p.m. The annual examinations for the Public Service will be held in the Parish Hall on November 22. The Rev. C. W. Howard will act as supervisor. THE KING'S CINEMA THEATRE. Charlie Chaplin will appear at the King's Theatre, Stratford, next Wednesday in his greatest comedy, "A Dog's Life," which is a First National production. This picture quite eclipses anything that Charlie Chaplin has ever done. The William Fox special picture entitled "Her Elephant Man," starring the dainty Shirley Mason, will also be screened. "Her Elephant Man" is the greatest circus story ever filmed. The story is not wildly melodramatic, but depends upon its heart interest and the engaging of its heroine for its greatest appeal. The men and women of the circus are shown in their everyday relations with one another, and the romance of the little "Queen of the Arena" and her "Elephant Man" is just as fresh and fragrant as one laid among more conventional scenes of life. Prices for this great programme will be: D.C. 2s, Stalls Is 6d. Box plan is now open at the Marble Bar, Stratford. McAllister, photographer, Stratford, has the best equipped studio in Taranaki, a capable staff and years of experience. Besides this the prices are the lowest in the Dominion for the same class of work. Make an appointment without delay. What better present can you give yourself or your friend than a Fountain Pen? Now that you can obtain a reliable Fountain Pen for a very small sum, is it wiso to be without one? We have a largo variety of self-filling pens, stylos, and safety pens, including the well-known makes of Scheaffers and John Whitworth, at prices ranging from 10s to 2 guineas. Tell us what style of nib you like. H, J, Hopkins, Stationer, Stratford.