COMPLICATED ISSUE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 297, 12 September 1934, Page 7

COMPLICATED ISSUE

Business' Men at Law

Decision was reserved by Mr. Justice Reed in the Wellington Supreme Court" yesterday on a claim for an injunction aiming at prevention of competition between' two business men. William Escott, purchaser of “More Suds Sales Service,” has sought an order to restrain William Thomas from competing against him. He has claimed, also, £lOO damages from Thomas' on the ground of “intensive competition” after a previous claim and counter-claim between them had been settled. Since the purchase of the business was made relations between the parties have become very complicated.! and there have been three separate litigations. When the business changed hands in December last Escott paid £250 deposit and; according to evidence in the previous -litigation, agreed to pay- the balance of £750; on his part Thomas agreed not to' compete for 20 years so lorig as Eseott ’conducted the business and paid the purchase money. By February, Escott decided not to pay more than £250. Thomas sued him for breach of contract, and Escott sued Thomas on the ground of misrepresentation concerning the business. Judgment was entered against both of them, and as a result Escott was given the business for £250 instead of £lOOO, while Thomas began to compete with it. . . ■