MISSING BRANDY

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 305, 13 September 1918, Page 6

MISSING BRANDY

JUDGMENT AGAINST SHIPPING COMPANY. By Telegraph—Press Association Christchuroh, September 12. Reserved judgment was given in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon by; Mr. S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., in the wise of Quill, Morris, and Co., Ltd., v. the. New Zealand Shipping Company. The case was a claim for £47 10s. in respect to the delivery empty of a hogshead which should have contained brandy. The plaintiffs contended that the contents were broached while on the voyage. In reviewing the evidence, the Magistrate- said the hogshead in question, with nine other hogsheads full, was delivered at the port of loading in apparent good order and condition. The bill of lading contained a clause, "weight, measurements, contents, and ralue unknown," while there was an added clause, rubber-stamped, ' Ship not responsible for quantity of contents." In this clause the word "quantity" was written. If the hogshead had gone on board the defendant company's vessel empty, it would nob have been in good order and condition.It was true that on account of tlw nature of the storing in the ship of this hogshead this made it difficult, it not impossible, to get at it. In the bilge of the hogshead were three limes, through, whioh the brandy had been drawn, the holes' having been filled up with a hard substance. In his opinion tlio circumstances negatived leakage, it hud been suggested that the merchandise might have been placed in shed? under control of the Port of London Authority for some considerable uino before being taken possession of by tlio defendant company. There was not a tittle of evidence' in support of this. The Magistrate gave judgment for plaintiffs for the full amount, with, costs.