STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

fTRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news fot publication in tte Taranaki Daily Nows should be left at the office of our ’ocai representatives, ’ViJson Bros., Broadway, Stratford. Ordera for papers may also be loft with them. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. MOTOR COLLISION CASE. July 19. Another special sitting o f the‘.Magistrate s Court was held here to-day for the purpose of having further argument in the motor cJWision case of' Ronald and Hill versus S. B. Hunter. Ihe case arose out of a collision between Hunter’s car and a motor cyclo ridden by Len Hill at~the intersection of Broadway and Opunake Road, in Stratford. The claimants Hill claimed damages to the cycle and personal damages, and Hunter counter-claimed damages to his car and personal damages. At last Friday’s sitting the evidence for plaintiff was concluded. in opening the case for the defence and counter-claim, Mr. Fookes said the defence would be a denial of negligent driving on the part of Hunter. 8. B. Hunter, the owner of the damaged car, said he had had a long experience with motor cars. He owned what was probably the first steam car built in America before coming to Now Zealand. He also owned the first car in Taranaki. On •nearing the scene of the accident on the day in question he saw Hill coming down the hill on Broadway, whereupon) he lowered his windscreen to obtain a better view. He also blew the born and put his hand out ro indicate his intention of turning into Opunake Road. Hill’s head was inclined to the side, and he was evidently talking to his lady passenger and did not appear to see the car. Hunter had a clear course into the Opunake Road and turned the comer closely on the wrong side in the usual track of cars. Hill appeared to be too far away to be a danger and Hunter was sure that he coul’d cross over into the Opunake Road before Hill came up. He could not anticipate that Hill would try to head him off and there was no possibility of turning to the right to avoid the cycle. He described the pace of the cycle as very fast, certainly not less than 40 miles an hour, perhaps 50. He' detailed the damage sustained by the car and his personal injuries. Dr. W. P. P. Gordon, in evidence, said that Hunter called at his surgery on May 6 complaining of insomnia and nervousness, the symptoms being consistent with what might have been the result of a motor collision. He did not think that it could bp expected that Hunter could give » connected and reliable account of the accident within a considerable time.

Mr. Coleman: Would not the nervous symptoms be consistent with any othpr set of circumstances occurring between April 19, the the accident, and May 6? Witness: Yes.

Hunter, recalled, in answer to Mr. Coleman, said that previous to the accident he had been offered £250 for the car and he was now prepared to take £l5O after repairs were completed. The Court adjourned at 6.30 p.m. till 10 a.m. on Friday next. EPIDEMIC OF BURGLARIES. Another ease been added to the list of burglaries which have occurred in Stratford recently. On Friday night the premises of A. Manoy, draper, of Broadway, broken into and a quantity* of clothing stolen. No arrests have yet been made, but the police are investigating. The b.OTglaries have caused considerable uneasiness among business people, and a movement is afloat to secure more adequate protection from a continuance of the trouble. The position was dis-

cussed at the meeting of the Borough Council last night and a remedy sought in the further policing of the town after midnight. The Mayor pointed out that at present no police <vere on duty after midnight, and this was undoubtedly the reason that the burglars so consistently conducted their business. It jvas decided to write to the Department of Justice urging the necessity of police protection after the midnight hour.

Cr. Mclmies said that in the event of the request failing it might be possible to arrange for the police at present employed off duty during the day, so that they could be kept on duty during the eariy hours of the morning. Approached in the matter, Sergeant Dale said that in Wellington and other places where there was an adequate force of police it was not possible to cßeck the burglarious entrances, but if the department supplied, more police in Stratford it would be a great help and something might be done. BOROUGH COUNCIL. A general purposes meeting of the Stratford Borough Council was held last night. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J, W. McMillan), and Crs. R. H. Cameron, S. Ward, W. Mclnnes, C. Jackson, S. B. Hunter, C. B. Walsh, A. Stewart and T. Lawson.

In reference to the charges made by : the Stratford Borough for electric power, Cr. Cameron thought a reduction could be made. He drew a comparison with the Hawera prices, and thought that the Stratford prices should be lower than 6d per unit. If these exorbitant prices were allowed to continue the industrial firms could not continue to use electric power. He moved that the electrical report be referred back to the engineer for further detail regarding the revenue' derived from/the increased charge pet unit for power. It was decided that the engineer be asked to supply the further details required.

A letter was received from the Taranaki Progress League asking that the council send a delegate to a conference of local bodies at a date to be arranged. The Mayor said that this conference was being mooted for the purpose of bring-, ing hydro-electric matters in Taranaki to a head. Cr. Ward said it was a waste of time and money to contribute towards the cost of forming a power board, as Eltham already had a petition for the formation of a smaller board in hand, and it would be ready to present to the Governor-General at any time. Cr. -Jackson was appointed delegate to the conference. An application by the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade for a grant for “boot money” was granted. Mr. Keheiy was granted the lease of part of King Edward Park at a rental of £75 per annum with a right of renewal. THE HOOKEY BALL. Mrs. Bianchi’s orchestra of four players will supply the music at the combined hockey clubs’ annual ball in the Town Hall this evening. Everything , possible is being done to make the ball a success. The ladies have charge of the arrangements for the supper, and , there is no doubt that this most important part will be nil that can be desired. A special committee has charge of the .decorating and floor. \ In addition, a soft-drinks stall will be run. Patrons are assured that everything is being done in the “Hockey Club”- > style. GENERAL. In view of the Ohura-Taranaki E football niatch at Eltham on Thursday, the shoot arranged by the Stratford Club to be held at Eltham that afternoon, has been cancelled. It is the intention of the executive to hold a fieldday in a fortnight’s time at Eltham, when a challenge team of nine players from Stratford will meet Eltham’s best. Competitions for the young shooters will also be made a feature of the fixture.