BASELESS CLAIM

Evening Star, Issue 21593, 13 December 1933, Page 2

BASELESS CLAIM

[Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 12. Negligence by the legal firm representing her in an application for relief under the Mortgagors’ .Relief Act was alleged in the Supreme Court to-day by Mrs Marie Josephine Searle. Her claim for £SOO damages was disallowed by Mr Justice Blair, and judgment was given for the defendant firm, Perry, Perry, and Pope. Plaintiff alleged that the defendants had disregarded an instruction from her to have an application heard before the Mortgagors’ Liabilities Adjustment Commission by taking it before the Magistrate’s Court, where it was dismissed, and also at a rehearing. She further alleged that she had unknowingly signed a false affidavit drawn up for her by the firm. “ It is an absolutely baseless claim,’’ said His Honour after hearing the evidence. It was possible that plaintiff had been confusing the forms sho had signed, and it was quite likely that she believed herself right in her own mind, but on her bare oath she asked the court to believe that a false affidavit had boon prepared, and he did not feel inclined to do that.