SHIPMENT OF FRUIT

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 2

SHIPMENT OF FRUIT

DAMAGES AGAINST UNION COMPANY. A judgment of interest to shipping companies was delivered by Mr. W G. Riddell, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day. The parties were Griffiths and Co., Ltd., fruit merchants, and Hutchings and Abbott, plaintiffs, and the Union Steam Ship Company; Ltd.. defendants, the claim being 'for £27 for loss caused through damage to 54 cases of bananas carried from Suva to Wellington. The bill of lading showed that 98 cases of bananas were shipped on 21st March, 1916, ex the steamer Talune at Suva, and consigned to Griffiths and Co., of Wellington. The Talune discharged her cargo at Auckland, and part of the bananas consigned to plaintiffs were forwarded to Wellington by the Victoria and tha remainder by the Te Anau. The evidence showed that the bananas were landed at Auckland in good condition. The fruit shipped to Wellington in the Victoria was stowed in the "hold, while that in the Te Anau was carried on deck. The weather during the run down, was warm. The bananas carried on the Te Anau were landed in Wellington, in good order, while those on the Victoria had suffered badly from overheating, and were in bad condition. His Worship was satisfied that the damage due to overheating took place between Auckland and Wellington. Defendants were aware that the Victoria was not specially fitted for carrying fruit, that the weather was hot, and that the bananas were very liable' to damage. There was- evidence that proper care had not been taken in the stowage of the fruit, and that there had been friction between the cases. Judgment would be for plaintiff f«- the amount claimed, with* costs (£ll 18s). At the hearing Mr. T. Young appeared for plaintiffs and Mr. P. Levi for defendants.