STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 February 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent^ (All eomaiun'.cstions, letters, elc, left with Mr u. j. Hov'sXas, bGoiaeilce, villi receirt yrwopt fcUeiuiuo >

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. Stratford, Jan. 31. E. Crabtree (Mr. Johnstone) was charged with being drank wliile in charge of a car and driving same to tho danger of the public. Evidence was given by T Walsh (Ngaere), who said that while returning home from Ngaere he saw defendant passing at a speed of thirty miles, and nearing the railway crossing at Ngaere came into collision with a car driven by J. Frederic. Defendant was on the crown of the road when within a few yards of Frederic. Heard Frederic say he would hold Crabtree responsible for the damage. Crabtree did not appear to be drunk; in fact, he would say he was quite all right. Samuel Spence, solicitor, Stratford, slated that he saw Crabtree in the Commercial Hotel with Phelan. In his opinion defendant was drunk. Evidence was also tendered by Kenneth McKay, who saw no signs of drunkenness; and Sergeant Dale, who stated that he requested Crabtree to drive Frederic home, but before doing so the man was taken to Dr. Steven for treatment. The. driving by Crabtree, who was accompanied by the sergeant, was very erratic, and witness had to notify defendant when a ear was approaching The defendant stated that he worked in the cellar of his hotel on the morning of the collision. In the afternoon he had a drink before ho left Eltham, and had one whilst in Eltham. When he left Stratford in the afternoon his speedometer showed twenty miles an hour. When near the railway crossing at Ngaere he saw Frederic approaching Both ■started to pull off, but before the cars could clear the collision happened. Fred-.| eric's car ran on about a chain before stopping, whilst witness' car ran o'n about two chains. He slowed down and then went back to Frederic, who was, crying like a child. To Sergeant Dale: Denied absolutely that he was travelling forty miles an hour, and had no accident at Hawera or elsewhere. Evidence was given by T. W. O'Reilly, who stated that Crabtree was perfectly sober when he saw him between 3 and i,\ and was sober when he saw him again at' 0.30 p.m., after his return from Stratford. E. Parrott, draper, said the day wasj Bulgaria's capitulation, and he was sober' when he saw him in the afternoon, but he did not see him afterwards? Jesse Gardiner, farmer, Lowgarth, also stated that at 3.30 o'clock Crabtree was perfectly sober. This concluded the evidence, Mr. Crooke reserving his judgment.

BREACHES OF, LICENSING ACT. Mr. Johnstone entered a plea of guilty in the charge against F. J. Foley, Club Hotel, for selling liquor after hours. Counsel stated that on October 25 Mr. Phalen, who had given up tlie management of tlie Commercial Hotel, came to Foley's hotel, with others, between 8 and 9 o'clock, and they were treated by both Mr. and Mrs. Foley. It happened, however, that Phalen lost some money, perhaps in the street going home, but there was a doubt whether he lost anything. At all events Phalen next morning lodged a complaint with the police regarding this low, and as a result of subsequent en quiries the present proceedings were instituted. Foley had erred, but believed he was right in treating a man in similar business who was leaving the district. Since Mr. Foley had taken over the hotel it had been conducted' in an exemplary manner. x Sergeant Dale admitted the facts were as outlined by Mr. Johnstone. The S.M. inflicted fines of £3 each on three charges, with 7s costs. McGarvie, one of the men who were with Phalen, pleaded guilty and was fined £2 and costs £i Ha, being allowed to pay £2 per mouth. McKenzSe also pleaded guilty, and was fined a similar amount There was no appearance of Phalen (represented by: Mr. King), who was also fined £2 and costs £1 Bs. In the case of Sellwood (represented by Mr. Stanford), the sergeant said it was reported he had joined a sailing vessel at Wanganui for an Australian port, but the sergeant did not believe he had left New Zealand. Defendant was fined £3 and costs £2 2s.

BREACH OF THE GROCERY AWARD. Vivian Lester, grocer, Midlnrst, was charged with committing a breach of the grocery award by employing an assistant—Mrs. Carter—at a wage less than the award. A fine of £2 and costs was inflicted. TOKO ROAD'S WELCOME HOME. There was a big attendance of tho public at the welcome-home social tendered to Private Bert Marfell, son of one of our oldest and most respected settlers iu the district. Mr. J. Lucena presided. To Private Marfell and others returned he extended, on behalf of the district, a very hearty welcome. They were all glad to see him, and hoped it would not be long ■before his health was completely restored. (Applause.) The Rev. C. Howard also tendered a welcome. Tho soldier made a brief but fitting reply Vocal and other items were contributed by Mrs. McLaren, Mrs. Manseli, Miss Cooper, Mr. Ray, and Mr. Frank Ranford. GENERAL. agents' licenses weTe granted to J McCluggage, C. Jackson, J. H. Thomp son, J. B. Richards, Barnitt and Robertson and W. W. Hodge Messrs. Findlay and Armstrong, the Moderate advocates, addressed the Stratford electors at the Town Hall last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. W McMillan) presiding. The attendance of, the public wan satisfactory, those present taking a lively interest in the proceedings, at the close of which votes of thanks'were accorded the visitors. The nci.l- approach of the A. and P. Show h indicated by a display of trophies donated for various competitions now on view in premises adjoining the A. hnd I*. rooms. Miss Muriel Sanderson, for the past twelve months & member of fbe Stratford School s.taiF, has been appointed mistress to the Mangahume School. Mr. R. Master?, chairman of the Education Board, left for Opunake to-day to hold an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the destruction by fire of the Opunake School early this morning. It i» stated that th» building was forty years old. Members of the Borough Council, with others, were present to give a eordial (welcome home to the returning soldiers who left the train here last evening.

floors and cases are crowded with ladies' handbags, jewellery, Doulton ware, elec-tro-plate, nickle and antimony articles fit to grace any home. Prepare for the •evening by purchasing your.parlor games here. Do you smoke 1 If so, remember you can purchase the best tobaccos, pipes, etc., at C. E. James, the man for honest ,value every articles.