ORGANISER FOR NO-LICENSE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1171, 5 July 1911, Page 8

ORGANISER FOR NO-LICENSE.

SUES FOR SALARY. A case affecting (he relations of a NoLicenso society and its organiser was heard yesterday at the Magistrate's Court, l'alincrston, before Mr. A. D. Thomson, S.M. William Ritchie, of Paluicrston North, agent, claimed from G. A. Rockel (Carnarvon), .1. K. Hornblow (Foxtpn), and John Matheson (Kairauga)—president, committeeman, and ' treasurer, respectively, of tlie Manawatu Mo-Liecnse Council—the sum of «£73 11s., balance of salary alleged to bo duo to plaintiff as organiser, between April 1 and August 31, 1910. Mr. ISnnes appeared for plaintiff, and Mr. A. R. Atkinson, of Wellington, for defendants. Mr. limes appeared for' plaintiff, and unregistered society. On August 24, 1910, Mr. Ritchie was dismissed without notice, and, it was contended, without justification and illegally. On September 2 following, he gave notice to the ■council that ho desired to resign, and suggested that his resignation should take effect as from August 31. This was apparently agreed to. The salary claimed was £86 13s. -Id., less .£l3 2s. 4(1. collected on account, of the "Dreadnought" publication.

The plaintiff, ui evidence, stated ibat at n, meeting of (ho council, on August 2i, a. motion was carried dispensing with his services. On t] lo 27th he wrote to Mr. flockol, stating (bat his (Mr. fiitchie's) 'dismissal was not in accordance with (he terms of his appointment, and claiming four weeks' salary. The contract nrovided for a month's notice, and plaintiff did not take it (hat the conlracf. terminated in August 24. The Mini of j>l3 2s. 4d. credited against the claim represented money received on account of the Xo-Licenso publication, the "Dreadnought," of which ho had charge. Plaintiff had transferred the contract for the nrintin<? of the

"Dreadnought" from Foxton to Feildini?. Put for (he heat thus caused, he thought the tone of th« meeting in question would liavo been different. The motion dispensing with his services was move<l l>y Mr. Hornbbw and seconded by Mr. Wlriblev. Plaintiff delivered to tlie' society all its documents in his possession. Mr. Pockel, lie understood, was now secret try of ilie body, which had been re-formed after l;lie snlit in regard to the advisability or c'.herwise of employing an organiser. After Ihe luncheon adjournment n conference between (he parlies was held, nml on resuming Mr. Times announced that the c.ise had been settled out of Court.