STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1922, Page 7

STRATFORD.

STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local representatative, Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be left with him. FORGERY AND THEFT. YOUNG MAN ADMITS GUILT. April 28. Walter Cooper, alias Les West, aged 174 years, pleaded guilty in the Stratford Court this morning to a charge that on December 29, at Huiroa, he stole £l2 and a bank book, the money and property of Patrick Small, and thereby obtained £5O from the Postal Department at New Plymouth. Cooper -was further charged with forging the name of Patrick Small to a Post Office . Savings Bank receipt for £5O, and thereby committing theft. Messrs. J. McCluggage, J.P., and D. Kemp, J.P., were on the bench, and the prosecution was conducted by Sergeant Dale. Sergeant Dale said the prisoner, at the time of the alleged offence, was employed on public works at Te Wera, then becoming acquainted with Patrick Small. The prisoner was doing nothing for some time, and later Small missed £l2 and a bank book from his hut. The day after the alleged ,tbeft the prisoner hired a motor car and proceeded to New Plymouth, where, it was alleged, he forged the name of Small and withdrew £5O from his banking account. Patrick Small, in evidence, said he was a railway surfaceman. At the time of the alleged theft he was employed at Huiroa. On the morning of December 29 Cooper came to his hut at half-past | three in the morning. At that time witness had a Post Office Savings Bank book and £l2 in a portmanteau in the hut. Asked where he was going, Cooper replied that he was going to be employed in a hotel at Stratford. Cooper lay down in the hut, and was there when witness left for his work at 7.30. Returning at 5 o’clock, witness found that Cooper had gone, leaving a portmanteau and a pair of leggings behind him. Witness had since learned that the leggings were stolen. He then found that £l2 in notes and his bank book were missing from his portmanteau. He reported the loss to the police and the Postal Department, and was informed that his credit in the bank was £5O. The signature to the withdrawal slip (produced) was not his, nor had he given authority to anyone to sign for him. Percy Old, ledger-keeper at the New Plymouth Savings Bank at the time of the alleged theft, produced a bank book showing a credit of £5O in the name of Patrick Small. On the date in question the teller put the book and a receipt in the ledger, applying for a withdrawal of £5O. As this was the principal credit, witness went to the counter and asked the teller if Small wanted to close his account. He was referred to the man whom they thought was Small, and who assured him that he wanted to close the account. Witness could not swear that prisoner was the man, although he had an idea he was. Witness closed the account on the receipt produced, which was signed by the man who presented the book. He compared the signature on the slip with the specimen signature of Small kept in the office, and closed the account. He gave the slip to the teller, and knew nothing about the actual payment.

In answer to tha Bench, witness said he had no doubt about the signature, the style being the same as that of Small. Sergeant Dale said accused was arrested at Pukekohe about a week ago, and had pleaded guilty to thefts elsewhere. A statement was submitted by the police and signed by Cooper, admitting his guilt and detailing the circumstances of the theft.

Pleading guilty, accused was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence.

When the court resumed in the afternoon Cooper was further charged with breaking and entering and stealing chocolates and cigarettes to the value of £1 4s from the railway refreshment rooms at Hawera.

Mary Francis Coleman, in evidence, said she had full charge of the refreshment rooms at the Hawera station, on behalf of the Government. On the night in question she locked up the premises at about 10 o’clock. Returning on the following Sunday morning at the request of the police, she found that the kitchen window had been broken and two doors were open, one leading into the refreshment room and one into the wash-house. A quantity of chocolates and cigarettes, and some cordials were missing, and these were similar in description to those produced in court. One shilling and sixpence was also missed from the premises. Sergeant Dale said the prisoner arrived from Auckland last night, under escort. Questioned about the alleged theft, prisoner had intimated that he intended to plead guilty, so that the whole matter could be cleared up. Cooper pleaded guilty, but had nothing further to say, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence.

ACCIDENT ENDS FATALLY. DEATH OF MR. STANTON. Mr. W. L. V. Stanton, who was very seriously injured in a motor-cycle accident at Midhirst on Sunday, died in the Stratford Hospital late last night. He was unconscious when admitted to the hospital, and remained so until his death. The late Mr. Stanton, whose parents reside at Mangorei, was educated in the New Plymouth Boys’ High School, and began his teaching career as a probationer at the Central School in New Plymouth. He spent three years on active service, and on his return to New Zealand was appointed to the Stratford School, where he held the position of seventh assistant. At the school this morning the headmaster (Mr. Furrie) addressed the children, making feeling reference to the late Mr. Stanton, who, he said, had lived a straightforward, honest, clean life, and one that the children might well emulate. He was a type of teacher the school could ill afford to lose, and his cheery disposition had endeared him to all who came in contact with him. Throughout the day the school flag was flown at half-mast. At the inquest this afternoon, before Mr. C. D. Sole, J.P., and a jury consisting of Messrs. C. Jackson (foreman), J. Smith, C. Rawson and J. H. Burmester, evidence of identification was given by William George Stanton, father of the deceased, of Mangorei, who said his son came home on Saturday and left again at 5 p.m. on Sunday on his motor-cycle. Witness knew nothing whatever of the circumstances of the accident. The inquest was then adjourned until Wednesday next. DEATH AT HOSPITAL. The death occurred at the Stratford Hospital this morning of Edgar Caleb Smith,

at the age o£ 26 years. The late Mr. Smitli had recently undergone an _ operation for appendicitis, and complications following resulted in his death. The funeral will take place at the Kopuatama Cemetery on Sunday, and ’will be conducted by the 1.0.0 F. of New Zealand. MR. GAYLARD FAREWELLED. A pleasant function took place last night, when members of the Stratford Swimming Club gathered to bid farewell to Mr. G. L. Gaylard, who leaves shortly to take up a position in the H.B. at Hawera. Mr. F. D. Gaffaney, president and chairman of the club, in presenting Mr. Gaylard with a handsome clock, spoke of the value of Mr. Gaylard’s services to the club as its secretary. It was largely owing to his activities that the club had reached its present prosperous position. Seeing that the benefits of the baths, which were a school institution, went to the school, he thought that it was appropriate that an old boys’ club should be formed, to be run entirely by old boys of the school. Mr. W. Pinhey, as a senior member of the club, endorsed Mr. Gaffaney’s remarks. He thought the suggestion tnat an old boys’ club should be formed was a good one. Mr. Kell v also spoke. He said Mr. Gaylard’was the best secretary thej r had had. In reply, Mr. Gaylard said he had done his work willingly and gladly. Had it not been for the president, he was afraid the club would not have been such a success. He had never worked with a better committee. The recipient was accorded three cheers. GENERAL ITEMS. Members of the No. 91 Company Cadets gathered in the supper room of the Town Hall last night to bid farewell to Staff Sergeant-Major Parkinson, who has been stationed in Stratford for some time,, and who has been notified of retirement under the scheme of retrenchment in the Defence Department. The leases of premises in the Municipal Buildings were submitted to auction today by Mr. T. I. Lamason, on behalf of the Borough Council. All the leases were bought at the upset rentals by the present tenants. Lot 5, four offices upstairs, was the only one not disposed of. The Dairy Produce Graders have advised the Midhirst Dairy Company that they are again first on the list with an average of 94.05. This is the third year in succession that Midhirst has headed the list. Members of the 1.0.0. F. of New Zealand are asked to attend the funeral of Bro. E. Smith, at the Kopuatama Cemetery on Sunday. THE KING’S THEATRE. "THE AFFAIRS OF ANATOL.” Many people have been looking forward to the opening night of the greatest motion picture ever brought to Stratford. Anatol in this latest version is an affable young New York millionaire, comfortably married to a delightful wife. Is there any need to enlarge on this beyond the fact that Wallace Reid plays the husband, and Gloria Swanson the wife? Anatol is a little too sympathetic with the woes of other damsels to please his wife, and the picture shows how, after several successive entanglements with designing females, Anatol is at last steered out of his amours, into the still waters of married bliss. One suspects, however, that these are only a few of tiie affairs of Anatol. Anatol, alas! is only too human. As for the setting, it must be acknowledged that the producer has surpassed himself. For wealth of detail (including lingerie) and luxury of appointment, "The Affairs of Anatol” must be a unique film. And to this is added the fact that the supporting stars include Bebe Daniels, Elliott Dexter, Wanda Hawley, Theodore Roberts, Agnes Ayres and Monte Blue. "The Affairs of Anatol” will receive two screenings in Stratford—Saturday and Monday nights only. The box plan is now open at Humphrey’s, and intending patrons are strongly advised to book, their seats; otherwise they may be disappointed. At the matinee to-morrow (Saturday) Constance Binny will be seen in her latest production, “39 East”; also Mack Sennett comedy, and serial.

Call at W. H. Humphrey’s (Stratford News office) and inspect a consignment of leather and wood-work articles in marquetry and poker-work. Beautiful wedding or birthday presents. We are sole agents in this district for Miss Ayling’s famous studio (Auckland). If you want a souvenir to send to the Old Land, we have what you want. Fancy needlework materials of all description at Mm. Humphrey’s, Stratford.