ENGINEER'S CLAIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 8

ENGINEER'S CLAIM.

fc. —■mil ■ PAY FOR SERVICES. PERFECTING A MACHINE. EX-UNIVERSITY LECTURER. A claim for £250 for services rendered in perfecting a weighing machine was brought by Graham B. Bell, f<y five years a lecturer in engineering , at the Auckland University, against Speed-Weigh Machines. Ltd., before Mr. E. C. Orr Walker. S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day. Mr. J. F. Dickson appeared for plaintiff and Mr. J. Hogben for the defendant company. The plaintiff, Graham Bell, consulting engineer and bachelor of science, said he had been in business on hie own account for two yeare. Prjor to that he. had been lecturer in engineering at the Auckland University. In January of lasV year lie was engaged by W. L. Spackman, a then director of SpecdWei"gh Machines, Ltd., to work on the machine and make adjustments and improvements necessary to make it a commercial proposition to put on the market. The patentee of the machine, the function of which was to weigh such goods ae sugar and tea up to, 01b, was Mr. Coubray, and plaintiff understood that, Coubray would work with him in bringing about the necessary improvements. CouDray did so. From January 27,t0 June 10 of last year witness worked full time at the machine, from June 10 to August 10 equal to half-time, and to September 10, equal to about one day a week. He finally made the alterations, which found the machine working perfectly and accurately, and in September ended his engagement. The old machines had been eold at from £00 to £100. but when Mr. House, managing director of the company, saw the improved machine working, the price went from £150. at which it was intended to be marketable, to £200. Plaintiff then sent in his account for £250, and Mr. House offered him 100 guineas. Plaintiff, in the In>pe -of getting an early settlement, offered to accept £150 and take shares in the company for £50. That offer was not accepted, and plaintiff now t'laimetl what he considered fair remuneration for his services, £250. Before ending Ills engagement plaintiff had the machine tested ar.;l passed by the weights and measures department. In answer to Mr. Hogben, plaintiff said he had lectured in engineering at the Auckland University for live years. He had also been employed by the Auckland Harbour Board. He had not seen a machine like the Speed Weigh machine previous to January of last year. Plaintiff said that the machine was not working perfectly and accurately, and that it was not till April of last year that he found the real catise of the trouble. He had a day or two previously decided that the trouble was due to an entirely different reason. After plaintiff commenced work on the machine he anticipated in six weeks he would have one machine ready, and hoped it would be passed by the weights and measures department. Actually the hope was not realised for 1.1 weeks. The delay was caused by him being innocently misled by Mr. Coubray. At this stage the further hearing was adjourned till February 18.