STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1923, Page 7

STRATFORD NEWS.

THEFT OF CHRISTMAS FARE. TOO MUCH LIQUOR. (From Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Dec. 28. In mo-st households, towards the end of the year, efforts are usually made to provide something extra in the way of edible delicacies for Christmas, and the manner in which two men of Stratford went about the tank was unfolded at the Stratford Magistrate’s Court before Messrs. C. D. Sole and G. E. Wilson, J .P.’s, this morning, when Walter James Ross, after being refused a further remand. pleaded guilty to having stolen from Henry Yeatman, of Wharehuia, a pig, lOlbs of bacon, four ducks and lib. of butter, the total value of which was assessed at £2 Ils fid. William Hartigan, who was with Ross at the time, and who was also charged with the theft, pleaded not guilty. Both elected to be dealt with summarily. In outlining the case, Sergeant Dale paid Harrigan’s wife was a sister of Mrs. Yeatman, in whose company she i>ad. attended at the court on December 17, seeking a separation from Harrigan. There was nobody on the farm at the time, and Hartigan and Ross seized the opportunity to visit Yeatman’s place tn a hired car. Subsequently they returned to .Stratford with a pig, a piece of bacon, and a duck minus its head. Whether the two were so muddled with drink as not to be aware of their actions, or whether they had some other object in view, was not disclosed, but on arriving at the court-house they actually tried to sell the .pig to its real owner (Yeatman). Failing in'ties direction the prisoners tried to dispose of the animal to the licensee of the Club Hotel.

Percy L. Healy, taxi-driver, gave evidence of having been engaged to drive Hartigan to Beaconsfield Road. Hartigan went away and later returned with Ross- Both had a drink and entered the car. On arriving at Yeatman’s both men went to the house. Shortly afterwards Ross came back with a beheaded duck. Next he brought a piece of bacon in his overcoat, and, lastly, the pig, tied up in a sack. At Stratford, the prisoners left the car at an hotel, putting the duck in the sack ah ng with the pig. Witness then returned to the taxi stand, but subsequently saw both men in another hotel, where Ross offered the pig for sale. William Darragh, licensee of the Club Hotel, remembered both prisoners entering his hotel- They were both drunk, and when a pig was offered for sale he refused to have anything to do with it. Witness was busy at the bar, but recalled a piece of bacon being sold. He did not know the purchaser.

Constable Chcsnutt gave evidence that when arrested Hartigan had said he had gone to Yeatman’s to get his horse, and had no connection with the theft.

Giving evidence on his own behalf. Hartigan re-affirmed the statement made at the time of his arrest. He admitted having a drink or two. and said he did not see Rose remove the pig or the bacon, b-t he was looking for his horse. He had expected the Yeatmans back for milking, and had brought Ross along to witnpse his request, for possession of the horse. Most of the time he was staggering about and did not know what Rdss was doing.

In answer to Sergeant Dale, witness said he was with Russ in rhe Club Hotel, but supplemented the «tatement by remarking that he had been drinking for the past two or thro? weeks. He denied having tried to sell the bacon, but admitted he knew Ross had “a pig about him somewhere." Questioned regarding the time spent, at the Stratford Hotel, witness’ mind failed him altogether: he could not* remember being there at all. In convicting both prisoners. Mr. Sole said drink seamed to have been the cause oi all the trouble, but in view of it being the Christmas season he ordered both offenders to come up for sentence when called upon- A prohibition order would he issued against each. Gn Thursday 'the first boy was born :n the new maternity ward at the Stratford hospital. The mother, Mrs. J. E. Daniels, of Tahora, wao the recipient of a solid silver spoon, presented by Mr Petrie, and a solid silver fork presented by an anonymous donor, to commemorate the event. The “World’s” Hand Darning Machine like a small loom—mends anything from stockings and underwear to lace curtain. Supplied in neat box with simple illustrated instructions. Price 5s complete, postage 3d. Order early. Sole agents for Stratford District, Mrs. Humphrey.