PHOTOGRAPHERS' DISPUTE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 142, 15 December 1908, Page 7

PHOTOGRAPHERS' DISPUTE.

♦ MAGISTRATE'S DECISION. A dispute between photographers was decided by Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., to-day in the case of Dobson and Mence v. Zachariah. The plaintiits, a firm of photographers, doing business in llan-ners-strcet, occupied premises belonging to the defendant, who was desirous of getting them to buy his fittings. This they declined to do. The lease expired on the 10th November. On the night of the 9th November the defendant entered the premises and removed the shelves and fixtures and goods stored there belonging to him. It was alleged that on that occasion the defendant wrongfnlly entered the premises, caused considerable damage to the plaintifts' property, broke several photographic negatives, prevented the plaintifts from getting out several orders for photographic views in connection with the opening of the Main Trunk line, and otherwise interfered with tho plaintiffs in the carrying on of their business. The plaintiffs claimed £50 damages. His Worship said there was evidently a great deal of feeling on behalf of the plaintiff Dobson. The defendant had acted unwisely, if not actually wrongfully, in not informing the plaintiffs of his intention to remove the fixtures. The damage claimed was greatly exaggerated. "The claim for £oO damages, in my opinion," said his Worship, "is outrageous and vindictive. Under other circumstances the plaintiff might have been entitled to judgment for a small amount, but owing to what I consider the grossly exaggerated nature of the claim he is not entitled to 'any costs." Judgment was given for the plaintiffs iof £2, without costs. Mr." J. J. M'Grath appeared for the plaintiffs, Mr. O'Leary for the defendant.