SEQUEL TO FIRE

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 November 1926, Page 3

SEQUEL TO FIRE

LITIGATION CONDEMNED. (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, Nov. 25. Tremendous public interest was aroused throughout the Rai Valley district at the outcome of the recent Supreme Court action, wherein A. M. Hebberd, Opouri, settler, secured judgment £360, with costs, against a neighbour, Leonard Neal, as the result ol a fire alleged to have been, started by Neal, spreading to Hebberd’s place, destroying two houses and other property. A public meeting was held at Rai Valley, in which uncomplimentary references were made to Hebberd’s action. It »vas felt throughout the Pelorus district that Neal suffered an injustice, and that an endeavour should be made to have the law amended to prevent a repetition of such a case. It was stated at the meet-? ing that Hebberd had been granted a verdict for more than he had lost. A resolution was carried deploring the fact that the settlers in Rai Valley should take action against a neighbour in a fire case, and that other neighbours should have given evidence for the plaintiff in such a case. It was proposed that the settlers should subscribe to i> eet th. amount of the judgment, but was objected to on the grounds that it would be malting the payment to Hebberd. Several speakers urged Neal, to go to gaol rather than pay. Neal confided to the meeting that he was not in a position to pay.