THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

Evening Star, Issue 13162, 19 January 1909, Page 6

THE COURTS-TO-DAY.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Before E. .C. Cutten, Esq., S.M.) Judgment was given In- default in the following cases:—Samuel Jarvis (Mr Irwin) v. John Munro, claim 17s 6d. goods supplied ; Henry Guthrie v. William Philp, claim 10s. for coal; Dresden Company (Mr Callan) v. Victor A. Metzger (Bluff), claim £2O 6s 6d. on a cheque; Alexander Hamilton (Mr Callan) v. Win. Henry Sunderland, claim £1 10s, as money lent ; H. Wise and Co. (Mr Moore) v. Wm. Henry Edwards (Upper Hutt). claim £4 4s, for advertising; same r. Wm. Spence and Co. (Cheviot), claim £6. for advertising ; same v. Edith Mary Wright (Foxlon), claim £1 Is, for advertising; same v. James M. Crouchcr (Bulls), claim £1 10s, for adver tising; W. Strachan and Co. (Mr W. C. MacGiegor) v. Thomas M'Guire and another (Martinborough), claim £l7, on a cheque. Mary West v. James H. Deans.—Claim, £1 17s, on a judgment summons. MMoore for plaintiff. The defendant did not appear.—Order for payment forthwith, in default three days’ imprisonment. Corporation of Dunedin v. David Butcher.—Claim, £2 ss. for rates. Mr W. C. MacGregor for plaintiffs. Mr Fraser for the defendant.—Mr MacGregor said that Butcher was a ganger in the employ of the Railway Department, and occupied a. small cottage at Caversham. There were six of these cottages, standing on land acquired compulsorily by the department for duplicating purposes, and he understood that these cottages were all lot to the railway employees at weekly rents. The facts were admitted, and the question for the Court was whether in the circumstances the citv rates wore payable by the tenants. —Mr I‘Taser said tlin't the case turned on the construction of the interpretation section of the Rating Act of 1908, and he submitted that the Corporation must fail because there was here no manner of tenancy whatever. It was true that Butcher's rent was calculated at so much per week, but he could be ejected without notice, and was practically no more than a tenant at will. He did not propose to argue the case, because it was concluded by the judgment of Acting Mr Justice Biff ton in the case of Wellings.—Mr MacGregor contended that the present case was distinguishable from the Wanganui case referred to. —His Worship reserved his decision. J. and W. Irving (Oamarul v. Edwin Horn.- Claim, £4 4s od. on a judgment summons. Mr Barnard for plaintiffs. - Order for payment forthwith, in default six days’ imprisonment ; order to be suspended so long as instalments of 15s a month are paid. Henry Guthrie v, Stewart Brothers (of Helensville). —Claim. £7 2s 6d, balance of commission for procuring a chaitcr for the steamer Squall, and £9 for commission upon a cargo of limber earned by the Lark. Mr Barnard for plaintiff, Mr Macassey for defendants. —This case was continued in the afternoon.