AN UNPLEASANT LODGER.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8521, 28 June 1893, Page 2

AN UNPLEASANT LODGER.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court, Christchurch, yesterday* before Mr Beetham, R.M., G. E. Bentley sued Mrs M. A, Cookson for £1 XQs 6d. Mr Joynt appeared for the defendant. Plaintiff said he formerly rented "from defendant a furnished room. Hβ had several times gone home "in liquor," and on May 30Ch, io the middle of the week, when in that condition, defendant refused him admission to his room. Next day, when be was sober, he went again, and she would neither let him in nor give him his effects. ■ This occurred more than once. The Rev, F. W. Isitt then intervened, and to release his goods had to pay 12a, • being 63 for one week's r<jnfc owing, and 6s for the uaexpired week. He now sued for —Rent paid in excess 6s, a week's rent in lieu of notice 6s, money paid for other lodgings, sa, compensation for exposure and inconvenience by being turned out of room 10s, and loss of hau day's wages 'when taking out summons 3a 6d, total &X 10s 6(3. In cross-examination he said he was a journalist; he told Mrs Cookson that .he was engaged to write a series of articles for the Prohibitionist, and had actually written one article before he was turned out. While he was contributing he was drinking pretty freely. The defeod&ot stated that plaintiff was brought to her house bj MrT. & Taylor, who paid a week in advance. Plaintiff was with her four weeks and a half. He pajd her for two weeks. He was often drunk, but was worse in the fifth week. He came home oh Saturday drunk. On Sunday a ejfcranger brought him home at night drunk and put him to bed. J||rMonday he cams home _ drunk, fell .wo' in the passage, and lay there for a while. He went to his room afterwards, and then ran about the passages undressed. Oα Tuesday he waa drunk, defendant would not admit him and told him to take hie things away. He Cfime again on Wednesday and Thursday in the same condition, Defendant would not have* refused him. admission had he been sober, and she never refused him his things. When Mr leitfc settled with her she allowed for some coal and wood which bad; been sent in by Mr Herrick, from Herrick's Home, and took the balance to make up 12s in cash. She told Mr Isitt on two ~ occasions that she thought herself entitled t& charge a full week for the.bfoken term. ■ Mr Joynt cajled a wifcnees, but Mr Beetham waited further evidence*- He md—Tliore is nause taiga further; i think this is qno of. the. most impudent casfeS I ever heard brought' into Court. Judgment will bs for defendant, and I will override all rules and custom by allowing the defendant; feer solicitor's fee. Plaintiff—l Refuse to £&y solicitor's fee ; I refuse to pay one shilUng expenses. Mr Beetham—Wβ will try' »a& make you then. Plaintiff—You can try. Mr Beetham— Don't he impudent, ©r you may find yourself in a worse position! go along vrith you, get out of the court* The plaintiff then foffc.