DECLINE IN COURT WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1929, Page 10

DECLINE IN COURT WORK

DECLINE IN COURT WORK. RETURNS OF QUIETER QUARTER. Generally, the business of the Strati ford court shows a slight decline over I that recorded from April to June of 9 last year. There were, for instance, 38 fl less plaints issued during the quarter, | while there seem to be indications of | more stable business conditions in the S fact that the bailin’ served 25 fewer | judgment summonses on dilatory debtS ors. In criminal cases there • was also | a pleasing reduction. I Naturally, with less work before the | court, the amounts in dispute in civil J cases also show a decline, the reduction being over £.500. Some of these claims must have rested on insecure grounds, for only a third of the total claimed was recovered. For the corresponding quarter two-thirds was recovered. Figures dealing with court business are I shown below, figures in parentheses bei ing those for the corresponding quarter of last year; Sittings held 26 (26), I number of plaints entered 80 (118), defended actions heard 7 (1), amount sued for £lB2B I6s lid (2362 10s sd), amount recovered £698 14s (£1662 12s lid), judgment summonses issued 15 (25), summonses served by bailiff 93 (118), criminal cases against males 54 (59), females 1 (1), total 55 (60), revenue from civil processes £96 5s (£122 7s), criminal £220 I 14s (£196 14s). DEATH OF MR. R. 11. PHILLIPS, OLD TARANAKI SETTLER. The funeral of Robert Horace Phillips, a well known settler and dealer of North Taranaki, took place at Stratford yesterday, many old friends attending to pay their last respects to one who had played an important part in the development of the province and its primary resources. Mr. Phillips was a brother of Mr, M. T. Phillips, Stratford, and at the time of his death was engaged in farming an extensive property at Awakino. He contracted pneumonia, and his death, unexpected as it was,’ came as a severe blow to his friends and rela- ' tives. ' I .ELTHAM GENERAL. _ I Considerable damage is reported from i outlying districts in the gale which j raged during Saturday night and all i day Sunday, accompanied by, at times, | torrential rain. Although some improvement is reported in the number of cases of influenza , appearing in the town, there is still a large amount of sickness occasioned by i the bad weather. The attendance at ' the schools has suffered as a result. | The first lambjOf the season was born a day or so ago on an Eltham farm. 1 •It is reported that, despite the adverse | weather, sheep are in good condition and the usual high percentage of lambs

is anticipated. It is reported by motorists that thi unlighted bicycle nuisance is becoming acute on the roads between the hour; of five and six in the evening. In mosl cases, according to experienced drivers it is almost impossible to discern tlu rear reflector carried by cycles to the angle at which it is fastened Jo the mudguard or saddle pillar. It is understood the traffic inspector has beer instructed to keep a careful watch foi in this respect. It is no uncommon thing for visitors to remark upon the excellent appearance of the Eltham school buildina and grounds. Its appearance has been further improved by the erection of a new fence along the frontage to Conway Road. The visibility for approaching motorists has also been improved as a result. That those with authority assist motorists as well and prevent the commission of irregularities is now realised by one owner at some expense to himself. At a recent gathering in Eltham an inspector found the benzine leaking from a parked car, and a request was made to those present at the gathering for the owner of the car to report. Possibly with visions of some regulation broken, the owner was satisfied to remain unknown, but his awakening came when he found in the early hours of the morning that he w'as without petrol. It was only by the good graces of a loc,al resident that he was enabled to proceed to his home a considerable distance away. ELTHAM PERSONAL. Mr. G. H. P. Fitzgerald, manager of the New Zealand Rennet Company, has returned from the north. . Mr. R. A. Howie, Wanganui, was a visitor to Eltham during the week-end. .KING’S THEATRE—STRATFORD. “PLUNGING HOOFS.” The combination of beautiful locals, well-knit plot and superb acting on the part of all members of the cast, human and animal, is the outstanding feature of “Plunging Hoofs,” the Universal picture Which screens at the King’s The atre to-night. Rex, king of wild horses, who plays the starring role, is without doubt the most amazing horse on the screen. He is a real wild horse and was roped out of a wild herd. “Plunging Hoofs” is the romance of a dance hall girl and a parson. They meet while freeing Rex from a trap set for him. The proprietor of the dance hall wants to marry the girl himself. Through the efforts of Rex, the proprietor is beaten in a fight and the parson and the girl are free to get married. Jack Perrin, the hero of other Rex pictures, plays the parson. Barbara Worth is the dance hall girl. Starlight, a horse belonging to Perrin, also plays an important role, while J. P. McGowan and David Dunbar give clever portrayals. Henry Mcßae directed the picture.