SUPREME COURT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 54, 6 March 1911, Page 8

SUPREME COURT.

DISPUTE OVER LAND SALE. Certain proceedings arising out of a verdict in a recent case respecting the sale of the Birch Hill estate were heard before his Honour Mr. Justice Chapman in Banco to-day. *, Frederick Hales, retired sheepfarmer, Wellington, and others, in the original case sued William Russell Deverea.ux, land agent, Christchurch, of the firm of Devereaux, King, and Co., of which W. R. Devereaux is managing director. (Plaintiffs claimed before Mr. justice Chapman and a jury for the return of a deposit of £500, alleged to have been paid to defendant as part purchase money for the Birch Hill estate. Defendant counterclaimed for £594 as commission on the sale in question. Counsel for plaintiffs asked for a nonsuit on the ground (inter alia) that Devereaux's misconduct precluded him from recovering any commission ; and he was estopped from setting up the sale to one Morland in view of the fact that there was a sale to one Somerville carried out at his express request. After hearing evidence, the court gave a verdict for defendant, and defendant's counsel moved for judgment with costs. Leave was granted plaintiffs (represented by Mr. A. Blair) to move for a new trial. Argument on the nonsuit point was reserved until to-day, when Mr. Blair moved for 'judgment for plaintiffs, or, in tie alternative, for a new trial, on the grounds that the verdict was against the weight of evidence. Defendant waa represented by Mr. T. Young, with him Mr. F. W. John-|-ston, Christchurch. After hearing argument, his Honour reserved decision.