CLAIM AGAINST SHIPPING COMPANY

Evening Star, Issue 16995, 18 March 1919, Page 4

CLAIM AGAINST SHIPPING COMPANY

AN -UNUSUAL CASE,

[Pirn Uxhkd Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 18. Reserved judgment was given by Mr Riddell, S.M., 10-day in a cr.eo in whirl) Michael O'Connor sued the Union Steam Ship Company for the sum of £2B 1-ls Id, alleged to have been taken from the plaintiff by the company in August, 1918, and which the company refused to pay in full when the demand was made. 'lhe plaintiff was one of ft party of stowaways, but on the voyage to Sydney the party wero discovered and brought to Wellington by the next boat.. O’Couuor was charged with leaving New Zealand without a permit, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. He was also convicted on a charge of stowing away, and was ordered to pay the cost of the boat fare to and from Sydney (£9. O’Connor did not pay, and was kept in prison for an additional month. The company admitted that they held £2B Ids Id, which was taken from O'Connor when ho was found on the steamer, but counter-claimed for £9. plus 4s 8d for goods supplied, and before action was taken" they offered to pay the amount held less £9 4s 81, Plaintiff declined the oiler, though ho admitted his liability for the smaller sum. The company paid £l9 9s Sd into court. Plaintiff submitted that his position was affected by section 243 of the Justices of the Peace' Act, 1908, in that having suffered a term of imprisonment he was released from further proceedings, civil or criminal. Judgment was given for £9 as od over and above the amount paid into court, with £1 16s costs, and judgment for the company ou the cuuntox'-claim for x»9 4s 8d and costs (£1 4s).