STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1924, Page 9

STRATFORD NEWS.

BOROUGH COUNCIL CONTROLLING RACE TRAFFIC. MONTHLY MEETING. (IFrom Our Own Reporter.) Stratford, Dee. 15. The Stratford Borough Council met tonight. Present: The Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), Councillors W. Mclnnes, T. I. Lamason, W. MacDonald, T. Lawson, E. Carryer, A. Nelson, S. Ward and C. R. Finnerty. After conferring with the police, the Racing Club and the borough inspector, the works committee recommended that* Fenton and Cordelia Streets be set aside for taxi traffic; that taxis and lorries stand on the east side of Broadway from the old post office site to Fenton Street corner; and that all shall face the south. It was also recommended that the taxi route shall be down Fenton Street and along Cordelia Street to the taxi turntable at the racecourse, returning .- via Cordelia Street and back to Broadway by way of Regan Street. In recommending this route, the committee pointed out that at only one place would cars have to turn on their wrong side, and that would be at the intersection of Cordelia and Regan Streets. Private cars from the south would proceed to the racecourse via Broadway and Pembroke Road and return by the same route. It was proposed to station an assistant traffic inspector at the intersections of Fenton and Regan Streets and Pembroke Road to control traffic. In Flint Road, an inspector would be stationed to direct race traffic to Tybolt Street, the Racing Club agreeing to pay the cost. The committee also recommended that no cars be allowed to park in any street adjacent to the raceassistant inspector to see that this rule course. The club had agreed to pay an assistant inspector to see that this rule was carried out. Cordelia Street is to be closed absolutely to pedestrian traffic. The only place where pedestrains would have occasion to cross the road would be at the intersection of Orlando Street and Pembroke Road, and it was proposed to place an inspector at this point during th e rush period. In general, the committee recommended that all traffic should proceed to the racecourse in single file, and that proceedings be taken against offenders; tnat all vehicles be prohibited from turning in Broadway except round the silent policeman ; that the racing club be asked to have a race card and ticket seller stationed on the south side of the bridge to obviate cars stopping in Broadway: that cars b e allowed to park only in single file in Broadway, Fenton Street and from the Opunake to Flint Roads; that the speed of all cars to and from the course be limited to 15 miles per hour and over crossings and intersections, 8 miles per hour, proceedings to be taken against any driver exceeding these speeds. A deputation representing the taxidrivers of led by Mr. P. Healy, waited on the council, objecting to the proposed taxi route on account of danger from the narrowness of the road and the awkward corner at Regan Street. They suggested an alternative route, which would follow the stream of private traffic

going and coming and would leave Cordelia Street for use when running empty. After a lengthy discussion the works committee’s report was adopted, Councillor Finnerty alone dissenting. The taxidrivers were allowed to charge 2s per passenger to the racecourse. SKIN AND HIDE BUSINESS. Formal application was received from Messrs. A. S. Paterson and Co., Ltd., for a license to carry on business as hide and skin merchants in a store to be erected on the section adjoining Newton King’s sale yards.—The license was granted, provided the building meets the council’s requirements.

A letter, outlining the specifications and location of the building for Messrs. A. SPaterson and Co. to be used as a hide and skin depot, was received from Messrs. Haiti well, Spratt, Thomson and Horner. The firm stated they had already been in communication with the health officer and had ascertained his requirements. They were now awaiting the council’s decision regarding the granting of a license in order to proceed with the erection of the building.—A sub-committee, consisting of the Mayor and Councillors Ward and Mclnnes was set up to consider the plans and specifications of the proposed building so as to save time. GENERAL MATTERS . -

s£r. T. M. Ball, district engineer for the Public Works Department, advised that when Mr. Mair (Government architect) . was in Stratford recently to inspect the new post office, he noticed that the provision by the council for lighting in the portico might reasonably be improved. He asked that the council provide a fitting at that spot more in keeping with the importance of the building.—Acceded to. In advising the council that their application for assistance by the Main Highways Board in respect to the maintenance of main roads passing through the borough could not be granted, Mr. T. M Ball, district engineer of the Public Works Department, stated that the board decided three months ago that it was unable to consider any further applications for assistance from borough’ councils until at least the end of the current financial year (March 31 next), when the board’s financial position could be defined.—Received. The matter of defining the wages for assistant traffic inspectors for . race days, was referred to the Mayor and Councillor Ward.

The dog registration fee is to be the same as last year. The clerk was instructed to make inquiries with a view to the purchase of gas-masks for the fire brigade. In view of the fact that the Motor Vehicles Act comes into force on January 1, 1925, particulars regarding the supply of the necessary books and license tickets are to be obtained.

DOMAIN BOARD. Prior to the borough council meeting, the councillors, with the addition of Mr. P. Thomson, sat as th e Domain Board, the Mayor presiding. The foreman reported on the domains as follow: Lawns were mowed and flower beds weeded and replanted round the tennis courts. The main flower bed along th© western side of the football ground had also received attention. The new drains on the sportsground were laid, scrub being, placed over metal above the pipes and filled in. The whole of the ground and slopes had been mowed and rolled and grass planted over the drains. Arrangements were being ,made to top dress and manure the ground. One water service had been laid to the cricket pitches and the other would be made on Tuesday. The pitches had been handed over to the cricket club. Six large swings and two additional sea-saws were erected under the trees. One of the black* swans was missing.

In receiving the report the Mayor made appreciative reference to the excellent work recently done in Victoria Park by members of the cricket and football clubs. Mr. L. J. Furrie, headmaster of the Stratford primary school, applied for the use of Victoria Park on Thursday, December 18, for the purpose of holding sehool sports under the direct control of the teaching staff.—Granted. The Salvation Army was granted the use of a portion, of King Edward Park for a picnic on Boxing Day. Permission was granted the Military Service Club to use the children’s play--ground for a carnival on Saturday evening.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT. NEGLIGENT MOTOR DRIVING. COLLISION WITH A GIG. The Court sat in Stratford to-day before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M. James Stevenson was fined £1 and costs for driving a motor car in a negligent manner in Broadway. The charge arose out of an accident on October 10, when it was alleged that Stevenson’e car ran into a gig proceeding in the same direction, as a result of which the driver of the gig (John W. Davidson) sustained considerable injuries and his gig was eerionsly smashed. Evidence that his lights were burning at the time was given by Davidson. He detailed the accident, and stated that Stevenson was travelling so fast that the gig seat was carried to the back of the ear. The night was clear, though a slight rain was falling which, however, did not affect the visibility. He did not hear any horn and judged that after the impact the ear must have travelled on a distance of about 20 yards.

To Mr. N. H. Moss (for defendant): He looked at his lamps as he passed the fire station. The accident occurred near the intersection of Regan Street and Broadway, and his lights had then been burning for about ten minutes, which would be the time it took him to travel from his home on Pembroke Road. He did not see the reflection of Stevenson's lights on the wet asphalt but the mudguards on his light breaking-in gig would not have obscured them.

Edward A. Butterfield, law clerk, who saw the collision, said t’he car was on its correct side, but there was no room for it to pass ‘between the gig and the silent policeman. After the car struck the gig. witness felt one of the lamps and found it cold.* He particularly noticed that the car was moving slowly —about 10 or 12 miles an hour, he should say. As far as he could judge, both mon were sober. After the impact the car did not pueh the gig along, but the horse quickened its pace. Giving evidence, defendant feftid his ear was a heavy one and the lights were burning brightly. Coming to the intersection, he saw no lights alidad and certainly saw no red discs from the rear of a gig’s lamps. Sergeant Reid; You made a good wreck of the gig. Witness: It was a fairly good wreck before I hit it.

In giving judgment, the magistrate said he intended to amend the information ao that it would read that defendant drove negligently in view of all the circumstances. He doubted whether, even though the overtaken vehicle had no lights, the driver of the overtaking vehicle could be absolved from blame. If a'-' motorist’s vision was blurred by a glare ahead he should ipull up, and, though he quite appreciated the difficulties of motorists when driving on such a night, these very difficulties made it incumbent on the driver to display greater at*are. CIVIL CASE'S. Judgment by default was given for plaintiff in the following civil cases: Farmers’ Co-op v. A. D. Wylie, £'24 7s*3d (costs £3 Is); Harkness and Co. v. Charles Vincent, £8 15s ( £1 1-Os 6d) ; Stratford, "Printing and Publishing Co. v. F. Stevens, £8 13s 3d ( £1 13s 6d); same v. Harry Hance, £6 14s (Id ( £1 15s 6d); T. E. Bridger v. G. C. Wilson, £1 15s ('8s); R. H. Phillips v. Peddle and Nicholl, £72 8s 3d ( £5 Is); judgment being given against first-named defendant. MILITARY CASES, For failing to attend drill Harry Barker was fined £1 10s and Fred. Dodd £2. Alfred Proffitt, George Olsen and Thomas Dodunski were convicted and discharged on charges of failing to register. WAGE'S AND TIME BOOK. The Labour Department! proceeded .against Walters, Ltd., on a charge of failing to keep a wages and time book. A plea of guilty was entered. Defendant eaid he presumed that it would be sufficient if the amount paid

in wages was dis-closed, on his chequebook butt. A fine of £1 was imposed. GAOL FOR OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Athur E. Russell pleaded guilty to charges of being found drunk in Fenton Street at 4.45 .p.m. yesterday and a Leo with using obscene language. Sergeant Reid said a constable had asked accused to keep quiet, whereupon he had squared ujjfc to the constable and used the language complained of. Accused’s solicitor said a-ecueed was willing to have a prohibition order taken out against him. On the charge of using obscene language accused was sentenced to ten days’ imprisonment, and on the charge of drunkenness he w r as fined 10s. BENCH AND BAR. At the sitting of the Magistrate’s court, this morning Mr. R. R. Tyrer, on behalf of Mr. P. Thomson, president of the* local branch of the Law’ Society, extended to the bench the comp’iments of the season. Mr. Tyrer said the relations •during the year betweenn bench and bar had been most cordial, mJ he expressed the hope that the same cordial relations would exist in the coming year. In reciprocating the good wishes, Mr.’ A. M. Mowlem, S.M., said le was extremely ipleascd that the bar should say the relations had been cord’al. That was one of the most pleasing things which could be said to any occupant of the bench, and he believed it v.a<s spoken in all sincerity. They hid different views—both plaintiff and defendant could not win—and some times the methods of expressing those differeaces were harder and harsher than they should be, but that was merely the frailty of human nature. Hs assured the bar tbat no effort would be spared by the bench to ensure a continuation of the past year’s cordial relations.

MOCK COURT AT SCHOOL. AMUSEMENT AND ABILITY. A useful and interesting subject taught at the Stratford Technical High School is the study of civics and the functions of citizenship. The pupils are taught New Zealand’s system of government and include in the course a knowledge of procedure adopted in the courts. This morning the school gathered together in the assembly room to witness a mock trial organised by the teacher (Miss E. Leech) and conducted <by pupils of the class. The affair was arranged with the two-fold object of testing the knowledge and ability of the pupils, and to provide an instructive entertainment for the rest of the school. A good representation of a court room was obtained by the ingenious use of tables, rolpe and a raised dais, the scene being complete in every detail, even to the inclusion of a press table. The dejected prisoner was led in, escorted by two policemen The much discussed question of the advisability of including women on a jury received scant consideration, and three demure young wo-

men took their sects in the jury. Fortified by a proper consciousness of hie position, the judge took his seat on the raised platform, and the trial commenced. The tragic circumstances of the case, an alleged murder, were related in detail by four witnesses, skilfully guided in .evidence by The Crown Prosecutor and his junior counsel. For the aiccused an earnest solicitor made the very best of a bad case, and cross-examined each witness to good effect. A good deal o 7 humour wae introduced into the questions and replies (between counsel and witnesses, and the whole function reflected credit on the ability of the performers, besides providing, (pleasure to the -audience.

Eloquent addresses were delivered, the judge summed up, and the jury retired. In breathless silence the school awaited the verdict, and it came as expected—guilty, but with a strong recommendation for meitcy.