COSTS ON PETITION CASE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1933, Page 6

COSTS ON PETITION CASE

MAYORAL ELECTION SEQUEL. MAGISTRATE MAKES NO ORDER. After Mr. W. H. Woodward had given his judgment on the petition which upset the Stratford. Mayoral election of May 3 the question of costs was raised. As the election was upset on one of six grounds the problem was an intricate one and the magistrate deferred his decision, which was given at the Stratford Court yesterday. No order was made in favour of either party. The petition was lodged against Mr. J. W. McMillan. “If I give costs to Mr. McMillan on the issues on which he succeeded —those referring to his personal conduct—l should also have to give the petitioners costs against the returning officer (Mr. P. Skoglund) on the issue on which the petitioners upset the election —that of irregularity in the recording of the votes,” the magistrate said. ■ It appeared, he continued, that he had authority to allow costs against a returning officer, but in this case he did not think he should. What happened was probably a pure mischance which resulted in the issue of two voting papers to one person. That could easily happen without any negligence on the part of the deputy-returning officers, and certainly without any on the part of the returning officer. It would therefore be unfair to give costs against him. That being so, he should not give costs to Mr. McMillan against the petitioners who, insofar as their attitude towards Mr. McMillan’s personal conduct was concerned, did not use unnecessarily defamatory words and did not seek to heap him with opprobrium during the case. GENERAL ITEMS. 1 Use of No. 10 Scheme. The advantage taken of the Unemployment Board’s No. 10 building subsidy scheme continued to be very satisfactory, the Stratford certifying officer (Mr. D. McCready) told a News reporter yesterday. In addition to several minor jobs there were some larger ones being carried on under the scheme, which was proving Very satisfactory. Prospective Players for Band. In reporting to the Borough Council last night Mr. H. McCaskill, conductor of the Stratford Band, stated that he still had a number of beginners who were doing well with their respective instruments and who should be an acquisition to the band in the near future. Motor-cycle Without Light. Failure to have either a headlight or a driver’s license .when he rode his motor-cycle through Broadway, Stratford, at night resulted in Ronald Wallace being fined, 10s (£1 3s costs) at the Stratford Court yesterday. Unemployment Levies in Arrears. Neither Charles E. A. Vince nor. Alfred L. Bunning appeared yesterday at the Stratford Court, where they ’ were charged with omitting to pay unemployment levies.' Each was fined £2, with costs of 10s and 12s respectively. Driving Licenses. To date 505 motor driving licenses have been issued by the Stratford Borough Council. In June seven new drivers were tested and all were issued with licenses. Catholic Euchre Party. The series of Catholic euchre parties was continued in the Stratford Convent School on Thursday night, when 124 players sat down at the tables. The winners in the ladies’ section were: Mrs. M. Kovaleski 1, Mrs. Webber 2, after a cut with Mrs. Sisarich. Mr. L. G. Pope was first in the men’s section, and Mr. J. Duggan second after cutting with Mr. M. Flynn and- Mr. J. Bennett. The winner of the cushion was Mr. E. Death. Collection of Fees. The sum of £9O 3s 4d was collected by the Stratford borough inspector during June. This sum included 98 driving licenses (£24 10s), heavy traffic licenses £3O, dangerous goods licenses £ll, kerbside pumps licenses £lO, licenses under the health regulations 15j, billiard room and halls licenses £l2 18s 4d, hawker’s license £l. Aeroplane Over Town. ■_ Although aeroplanes are common enough over Stratford now to occasion no excitement except to the very young, one overhead visitor yesterday spent five minutes or so circling over Broadway before passing on New Plymouthwards. Many necks were craned on Broadway and the general opinion was expressed that George Walker had arrived. That it was not George Walker, however, is gathered from the fact that Walker was to wrestle at Christchurch last night. Use of Library. The issue of 2520 books and the return of 2488 were reported by the Stratford Librarian last night. Thirty-four new books were. added and eight new subscribers enrolled. As five people had not renewed their subscription the total remained at 229. Heavy RainfalL The rainfall at Stratford for 72 hours through the week-end was 4.77 in., states Mr. A. W. Burrell. One Infectious Disease Case. Only one case of infectious disease was notified at Stratford during June. It was a case of diphtheria, but as the bacteriological test proved negative the patient was discharged the hospital. Parking Question, Pointing out that “no parking” had been strictly enforced in the area fronting the King’s Theatre during - performances, the Stratford traffic inspector last night sought an instruction from the Borough Council whether the council required him to prevent the parking of cars at that spot during daylight hours when pictures were not being shown. It was decided that parking of cars outside the theatre during performances should be prohibited. New Member on Domain Board. A welcome to Mr. G. D. Hunter, a recently appointed member of the Stratford Domain Board, was extended at the board meeting last night by the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan), who said he remembered that Mr. Hunter had been a member of the old board, of which he had been clerk for many years. He also voiced his satsifaction at Mr. H. C. Johnson’s return to the board. Mr. Hunter congratulated the board on the present fine condition of the parks but considered that there was much that still could be done to effect improvements. He would be pleased to help in any ne could. ' .