RIGHTS OF LIEN HOLDERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 41, 16 August 1918, Page 8

RIGHTS OF LIEN HOLDERS

To-day his Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) delivered his reserved judgment in the case, heard yesterday, arising out of the bankruptcy of a Napier firm of builders, Duncan and Abbott, who were adjudicated bankrupts before the completion of their contract for the •erection of new premises for the Bank of New Zealand at Featherston. The point at issue at the hearing concerned the validity of one of various liens lodged; that of Arthur Wade, 'Hastings, for £328 for plumbing and electrical work done. A decision of the court was sought as to whether this claimant had lost his lien by taking promissory notes at the time proceedings were commenced, and which were dishonoured before notice of lien and were outstanding in the hands of third parties. In his judgment to-day, the Chief Justice traversed the circumstances of the case and the legal position, and held that Wade was entitled to his Ken. Costs were allowed to the bank and to various lien holders who were represented, but whose claims were not, disputed.