TWO CLAIMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 257, 11 August 1934, Page 6

TWO CLAIMS.

AN INVOLVED CASE. HEARING IN THE COURT. The defended action in which W. SGreenslade, of Mayfield (Mr Driiry), claimed from T- H. Bennett, of Ruapuna (Mr Charles) £3B 10s, value of goods retained on a farm, was continued in the Ashburton Magistrate's Court yesterday after the "Guardian" went to press. Thomas • Bennett, father of the previous witness, stated that most of the tops of the trees had been eaten off by the sheep. This particular belt of trees would have been very valuable. The damage he saw was not caused by fire. , To Mr Drury: He did not see the' trees before Greenslade left the farm. The Magistrate said there would be no return of the netting, as therewas no evidence of a demand for it having been made. If the damage to trees had been done before Bennett took possession, there could be no claim for damages. James Henry Woods gave evidence regarding the planting of the trees in 1932. Fire swept through them a year later. They cost 6s for 100. After the fire the trees were useless and some replanting was carried out later. Young cattle were in and out of the plantation for months, and they ate off many of the trees. The Magistrate said the case need go no further. Defendant would be nonsuited in regard to the return of the netting, and the evidence in favour of damages was too weak. Witness expenses, 12s, were allowed to plaintiff.