CASE SATISFACTORILY SETTLED

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 63, 8 December 1936, Page 2

CASE SATISFACTORILY SETTLED

Claim Against Motor Firm LITIGATION OVER A CONTRACT Yesterday a settlement mutually satisfactory to both parties was announced when the ease in which P. Graham and Son, Ltd., contractors, of Christchurch, sued for damages tlie Ford Motor Company of New Zealand, Ltd., for alleged wrongful termination of contract. The case was resumed yesterday after an adjournment of ten days. Mr. H. J. V. Janies intimated to his Honour, Mr. Justice Reed, who was ou the bench, that a satisfactory settlement had been reached. “I am glad to be able to inform the court that since the adjournment of this case the plaintiff company approached us with a view to obtaining a settlement” said Mr. James. “The Ford Motor Company of New Zealand has throughout been willing to pay the plaintiff company a proper remuneration for the work actually done by it prior to the determination of the contract by the Ford Company. When, therefore, the plaintiff made the approach I have mentioned, no difficulty was found in arriving at a settlement mutually satisfactory.” “I am instructed to say that Mr. Graham, ou behalf of the plaintiff company, agrees that the plaintiff has obtained a fair and reasonable settlement of its claim, and wishes to withdraw unreservedly all statements and imputations that have been made against the Ford Motor Company of New Zealand in connection with this dispute; the settlement of which has been conducted in an entirely friendly manner,” said Mr. E. P. Hay. Mr. Justice Reed: That is very satisfactory. Plaintiff company claimed from defendant company damages totalling £14,088/10/3, plus £175/9/6 for interest on £14,088/10/3 from July 19 to October 19, at 5 per cent., and also interest from October 19 to the date of judgment. Alternatively plaintiff company claimed the sum of £9854/0/3 damages, that being the contract price of £30,100 less £18,573/7/- progress payment and £1672/12/9 for the estimated costs of completion.

Mr. H. Edgar, of Christchurch, with him Mr. E. P. Hay. appeared for plaintiff company, and Mr. H. J. V. James, with him Mr. W, F. Hogg, for defendant company.