CLAIM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21655, 13 December 1935, Page 12

CLAIM FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

ENGINEER SUES CONTRACTOR

A civil engineer was successful in an unusual claim which was heard in the Civil Court yesterday afternoon. The engineer—Richard Bohun Cotton, of Christchurch —claimed from Thomas Pheloung, a contractor, the sum of £77 18s lOd as the amount owing for professional services rendered and expenses incurred by him while in the service of the defendant. Cotton, who was represented by Mt J. D. Hutchison, held that • the expenses were incurred while he was under engagement to the defendant over a period from September 18, 1934, to 4Vlarch 12, 1935, and the work he did was not included in his contract with Pheloung. Pheloung's contention was that Cotton was engaged by him over the period in a superintending capacity on the Kowai-Waipara road contract, and that his salary covered the items set out in the claim. The defendant was represented by Mr W. F. Tracy. „ The magistrate, Mr F. F. Reid, S.M., giving his decision in favour of the plaintiff, said that certain of the items had been established, and that the defendant had accepted the benefit of that work. He gave judgment for the plaintiff .for £57.