STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1922, Page 6

STRATFORD.

DAILY NEWS AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication in the Taranaki Daily News should be left at the office of our local representatative, care Mr. W. H. Humphrey, Broadway, Stratford. Orders for papers may also be Itf' with him. HORSE THEFT ALLEGED. ONE CHARGE DISMISSED. Oct. 11. A peculiar case involving two charges of theft and unlawful conversion of° a horse came before Messrs. C. D. Sole and J. McCluggage, J.’sP., at the Stratford 1 Court to-day. Richard W. Thompson was first charged with, on or about February 12, unlawfully taking or converting to his own use a horse valued at £2, the property of Edward Calvert, ot Te Wera, but not so as to be guilty of theft within the meaning of the Crimes Act, 1908. Mr. A. Coleman appeared on behalf of Thompson and Sergeant Dale conducted the prosecution. Mr. Coleman pleaded not guilty on behalf of accused, and immediately raised the objection that the information had not been brought within the prescribed six' months after the alleged commission of the offence. The police contended that the present information was an amendment of an earlier charge of theft of the horse, ana that it was therefore permissible. A lengthy argument ensued, in which Mr. Coleman succeeded in convincing the Court that the present charge was not an amendment of the earlier charge ' of theft, as the substantive offence al- j leged had been completely altered. I Sergeant Dale explained that the I original charge had been one of theft. ' but on further investigation the police had decided that a theft charge could not be substantiated, as the defendant had made no attempt to eel] or otherwise dispose of the horse. It was then decided to bring a charge under the Police Offences Act Amendment, of 1915. He contended that the charge was an amendment of the -former one of theft, and was in order. The Bench held that according to the law the information could not be pro- . ceeded with, and it was accordingly dismissed. Sergeant Dale immediately intimated that he would proceed with the previous charge of theft. Thompson was then charged with stealing a horse valued at £2 from Edward Calvert, of Te Wera. j Mr. Coleman again entered a plea of not j guilty. The police applied for a remand for a week, and. this was granted. Bail was allowed in accused’s own recognisance of £5O. provided that he reports to the police once a week. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The monthly meeting of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce was held last night. Present: Messrs?. J. B. Richards (president). J. W. McMillan, P. Thomson, W. McDonald, C. .Martin, S. Macalister. E. H. Young, W. Mclnnes, and D. J. Malone. The president reported on the deputation which waited on the Government at Wellington with regard to matters of provincial importance. He was accorded a vote of thanks for his services. Mr. Thomson drew attention to the excessive charges made by the Valuation Department in connection with a three-quarter acre section and cottage half a mile -from the post office, and an empty section near the Hawera railway ‘ station, the fees charged being £6 Gs and £3 3s respectively. Mr. Macalister supported Mr. Thomson’s protest, but Mr. Young said his experience did not agree with the protest. It was decided to place the facts before the Valuer-General, protesting against the charges and stating that other instances could be given if required. THE MARDI GRAS. POSITION OF THE QUEENS. The last Count of the votes recorded in favour of the four carnival qufeen candidates has considerably altered their respective positions. The Band and Fire Brigade candidate has now gone to the top of the poll, the associated shop assistants’ candidate being second, and the Midhirst-Wharehuia third and the sports’ fourth. The variation in the positions will probably increase the interest and spur the committees to greater efforts. The dance held in the Parish hall last night was probably the most brilliant and' successful function held since the carnival commenced. The scheme ot decoration in red and black, the colors ef the sports candidate, was most effectively carried out, but the most striking feature was the lighting, which was arranged by Mr. C. NVard. The play of' the vari-colored lights on the gay costumes of the dancers and the streaming decorations produced an effect extremely pleasing. A novelty dance, in which the gentlemen carried sparkling flares, proved a great attraction, and when the lights were lowered the scene was weird and beauti-ful. The music and supper were all that could be desired. Another successful dance was held at Midhirst last night by the Midhirst third grade football team in the interests of the Midhirst-Wharehuia queen, who at present stands third from the top of the list. The 8.8. danse chantant at Mahoe tonight was an enjoyable function, and should considerably advance the interests of the Band and Fire Brigade candidate. On Thursday night the A.S.A. Costume Comedy Company, “Spick and Spans,” will visit Whangamomona. while on Friday night the 8.8. s will holfl a popular danse chantant at HuSaturday night’s “March of the

Giants” is creating a great deal of interest, and promises to be a great attraction. THE PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN. A convention of those interested in the prohibition movement was held in the Parish hall to-day to meet and welcome Dr. Mary Armor, the American lecturer, in the interests of prohibition in New Zealand. There was a large attendance, including a number of visitors from various parts of Taranaki. Dr. Armor, however, did not arrive until the evening, when she delivered, a forceful lecture to a good audience in the Town Hall. GENERAL Mr. Bert James was admitted to the Stratford Hospital yesterday suffering from injuries sustained in a fall of earth at Waipuku. The injuries are not of a very serious nature, and Mr. James is progressing satisfactorily. i The electors of the East district are notified that Mr. J. B. Hine will hold meetings at Aotuhia on Thursday night, at Whangamomona on Fridaj r night, and at Strathmore on Saturday night. The chair will be taken at 8 o’clock each evening. THE KING’S THEATRE. “THE WORLD’S CHAMPION.” u “The “World’s Champion,” a Paramount feature starring Wallace Reid, will he the star attraction at the King's theatre to-night. Tn this picture there is a. fight sequence, wherein Mr. Reid, as “Gunboat Williams.” is seen to defeat his opponent, and win the mid-dle-weight championship of the wor(d. McCoy is the man chosen to oppose Mr. Reid with the gloves, and a most realistic battle is the result, as the athletic star had to fight like fury to [ ward off the well-aimed punches o/f the ; ex-champ, and drive home his known | blows. Kid McCoy is the ex-middle-I weight champion of the world, and was ' famous a few years ago as the most ag- , gressive fighter of his time. The picture I is full of comedv situations from the 1 start to the finish. Wallje stands up : and licks every pug in sight, but is : knocked out by the shine in two starry ; eyes. The supporting items include a i 2000 ft. Broadway comedy, also Gazette Sand Burton Holmes’ Travelogue. “OVER THE HILL.” ' The big Fox super feature “Over the j Rill,” which has been heralded far and ' wide, and which has proved to be one ■ of the biggest features of the' year, will ;be screened on Saturday and Monday nights only. The booking for this big feature will open to-day, and intending patrons arc advised to book at once, and thereby avoid disappointment. The , prices will be D.C. 2s, Stalls Is 6d plus ; tax. Booking fee 6d extra. Box plan ; at Humphrey's, bookseller, as usual. ' A reminder is given of the sale of furniture which is being held by T. I. Lamason at the residence of Mr. C. A. Vicary, Cordelia Street, Stratford, commencing at 1 o’clock to-day. The furniture is of latest design, and is all practically new, but as Mr. Vicary is leaving at once for the South Island, he has placed it in the auctioneer’s hands for absolute sale. The residents of Stratford and district are notified that Ernest Davies, the London qualified sight-testing optician, visits Stratford every Tuesday, and may be consulted at Mr. Gaffaney’s. Broadway. Hours: 9.30 a.m. to “4 p.m.