LEGAL INQUIRY COLUMN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 219, 15 September 1932, Page 21

LEGAL INQUIRY COLUMN.

(By lURRISTER-AT-I/AW.)

[Letters of Inquiry will be answered every week in this column. As far as possible they will be dealt with in the order in which they are received, and replies will be inserted with the least possible delay.]

BUSH BURN.—You arc responsible foe nil damages caused by fire spreading l'roni your property. You arc not responsible if a neighbour's fire spreads on to your laud and thence to another neighbour's land. TUI. —You should allow £1 per week at least. JOB.—There is no time limit. If you arc not satislicd raise the matter at the annual meeting, or, if necessary, petition to have the company wound up compulsorily. GRATEFUL.—The note should be presented for payment and will then be goo-i for three years from the date of making. It is perhaps wise to renew it definitely. GLEN'.— (1) You must pay your own solicitor. The Court is authorised to allow your costs, but frequently the costs are not sufficient to pay your solicitor's fee in full. If you had not defended, judgment would have been given against you. (2) If you have already made a formal demand which can be produced In evidence. It Is unnecessary to make another before suing. (3) You cannot claim a refund of the fee. INVADER.—You are entitled to a reduction of 20 per cent from the rent which would have been charged In January, 11)30. It that rent was over 20/ you are entitled to no reduction. R.H.D. —You may apply for relief, and your application should be filed by the 18th instant. If you require it your application will be heard by the Mortgage Adjustment Commission. It is not essential to employ a solicitor. Forms of application may be obtained at the Magistrate's Court. RELIEF WORKER. —Your wife may apply to the Court for custody of the children, and in reaching a decision the Court will consider what i« best for the children. The present arrangements seem as satisfactory as any. and all you can do is to refuse to agree to any change and defend any claim made. tEAY.—Before the judgment can be enforced, you are entitled to ono month's notice, and you may within the month apply for relief. Unless the mortgagee gives you a release or you obtain a release by filing in bankruptcy you must face the fact that ultimately the judgment can bo enforced. ,'URIOUS. —The beneficiaries' claim is postponed to that of creditors, and until debts and duties are paid there is no possible fund from which the beneficiary can be paid. A sale of part of the property is the only solution if you cannot wait. :.S.C.—You may cut back all limbs overhanging your boundary. You may also sue for damage done. iVIDOW. —I do not understand the notice you propose to advertise, but as it concerns yourself and no one else, you may safely insert it. SEPARATION. —After three years' separation you may petition for divorce. On the information you give I cannot advise whether you may petition for restitution. \NXIOUS.—The relation between a party letting rooms and a party renting them is that of landlord and tenant, and not guest and host. MRS. R. Y.—You may apply for relief unless a notice calling up the mortgage has already beon given and has expired. If you can pay nothing at all it Is unlikely that you will receivt. any relief.