AN UNFINISHED CONTRACT

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 40, 15 August 1918, Page 8

AN UNFINISHED CONTRACT

RIGHTS OF LIEN HOLDERS,

His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) was engaged in the Supreme Court this morning in the hearing of a case arising out of the bankruptcy of a Napier firm of builders,' Duncan and Abbott.

The firm had the contract for the erection of the new Bank of New Zealand premises at Featherston. They were adjudicated, bankrupts in February of 1917, and various sub-contractors made claims for liens on the Bank of NewZealand. The contract was not completed ,at the date of the bankruptcy, and the. Bank got another firm to finish the work, lodging into Court tho balance of the contract money.

Proceedings to-day were concerned with the validity of one of the liens; that lodged _ by ■ Arthur "Wade, of Hastings, in connection with plumbing and electrical work, the amount being £328. The point at issue? was whether the claimant had lost his*ien by ta-king promissory notes at the time proceedings commenced, and which were dishonoured before notice of lien, and were outstanding in the hands of third parties.

Having heard legal argument on the matter, his Honour reserved his decision.

Sir J. G. Findlay, K.C., with him.Mr.. L. L'E. Edwards, appeared for the Bank: Mr. A. W. Blair for the Deputy Official Assignee; and Mr. H. F. Yon Haast for Wade. Other lien-holders, whose claims were not disputed, were also represented by counsel.