STRATFORD NEWS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9206, 7 October 1891, Page 3

STRATFORD NEWS.

[FROM OUR RESIDENT AGENT.] RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. October 6. — Beforo T. Ponn, Esq., J.P., and J. B. Godkin. Esq., J.P. McCook v. Jeffries. — Defendant, n girl of fourtoen, was charged by Mrs McCook with using abusive and obscene language in a public place, Orlando-streot, Stratford, to wit. Mr J. Bnrlcyman for the complainant, Mr Welsh for defendant. A flaw in the information caused tho proceedings to be opened with & little forons>c skirmish between counsel. This having been adjusted, Mr Barloyman called tho complainant, who swore that on Saturday, September 19th, tho defendant had employed herself botween tho hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. in applying to complainant a variety of epithets of a most opprobrious character, coupled with divers insinuations touching hor fair. fame. Tho complainant regretted to say that there waß not complete amity between her own family and that of hor neighbor Mrs Hussell, in whose employment the girl Jeffries was, and sho accounted for the girl's remarkable behaviour by the fact that she was instigated thereto by that lady. In fact she hal heard Mrs Hassoll instructing and prompting the girl in tho language complained of. Mr Barleyman procoedod to call in succession Mrs McCook'e three daughters, Jane, Mary, and Annio, whoso evidence corroborated in a very exact nfannor that of their mother. This was tho case for tho prosecution. Mr Welsh opened for the defence with tho contention that the chargo had not been brought in the interests of public decency but with a view to employ the strong arm of tho law in a private quarrel. Ho pointed out that if the Banch found the girl guilty, the course of procedure which the prosecution had soon fit to tako loft them no option but to inflict the severe sentence of imprisonment ■with hard labor. Ho also raised the objection thatthoro was no ovidence before the Court to show that Orlando-street where the offence was alleged to have been com niitted was a public place. He called Mrs Hassoll whose ovidence was a direct denial as to anything of the sort having occurred on the day named. On the previous day Borne unpleasantness had occurred, but the bad language came entirely from the complainant. A lively argument between counsel here ensued on the question of whether the affair took place on the Friday or Saturday, the crux of the matter apparently resting in a washing tub, at which the girl Jeffries was alleged to have been conducting, on the date of the misunderstanding, some operations which might or might not have been connected with the cleansing of the household linen. The discrepancy on this point being found incapable of adjustment. Mr Welsh called Mr Hassell, who gave general evidence as to the want of cordiality between the two families and their dependants, but could not speak with any authority upon the eventß of the particular day or days in question, as he was away from home. The defendant was then called and gave an emphatic denial to all that had been alleged by complainant and her witnesses, and further asserted that language of an unpleasantly abusive and derogatory character was habitually used by complainant's daughters in their intercourse with herself. Evidence aa to the good character of the defendant was given by former employers. The Bench in giving judgment, commented on the great friction apparently existing in Orlando-street circles, th© strained relations of the parties having even involved their employees. As to the charge itself the evidence as to the words used was too conflicting to warrant a conviction, and the case would consequently be dismissed without, however, any order as to coats. The Court advised the defendant to be careful in the future.

The Cricket Club Committee mot on Saturday evening, and decided that for this season the football ground should bo used for play, so that in the meantime a thorough job might be inado of the cricket ground. An entertainment in aid of tho latter was arranged to take place the 30th inst. It is rumoured that the "checkmato" declared by the opponent of the loan may possibly prove premature. We are having a good drenching rain, which thd country stood somewhat in need of.