COURT ACTION

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1938, Page 7

COURT ACTION

FORMER UNION AIRWAYS PILOT ARRESTED ABOARD OVERSEAS VESSEL. AUCKLAND, Juno 14. Arrested under a writ fit arrest on board the Doric Star a short time before its departure from Auckland for England last Wednesday night, Commander Basil Adair Blythe, formerly chief pilot to Union Airways of New Zealand, Limited, appeared before Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court. Four firms proceeded against him on judgment summonses, and three other claims to recover debts totalling £299 Is 9d.

A judgment summons was issued by Watson Brothers, Limited, general provision merchants (Mr D. L. Bone) for £4o4s Id. It was alleged that defendant intended to leave New Zealand without paying, or making provision to pay the money owed by him. The claims j were made by C. M. Ross and Company, Ltd., importers for £135 2s Id for 1 goods suoplied; C. H. Bonnet and Company, Ltd., stationers, for £BS 11s 2d i for books and stationery, and the Para Rubber Company Ltd , for £32 4s 5d | for goods supplied and work done. Mr E. W. Inder appeared for the last three plaintiff firms. Defendant was ropre- . seated by Mr K. C. Stewart. | Giving evidence on the 'judgment i summons, Blythe admitted that judii- , nient was entered against him at Pa 1 - * merston North for the amount stated l ou May 24. Since then he had earned nothing. £720 A YEAR,

Cross examined, defendant said he was employed by Union Airways, Ltd., from January, 1936, to May 31 last, when lie resigned. Hi.s maximum salary was £65 a mouth. When he started he received £6OO a year, and about £720 a year qfter April, 1937. He dollied ever receiving £9OO a year. Remittances of about, £25 a month were made for the support, of his wife, who had been in England since January. The last remittance was made about the end of May. T tried to live on my Hilary, but accumulated a substantial amount of debt, at least £350. def( udant added. He said he transferred his hanking account from Palmerston North to Auckland about the end of April, when there was a credit of about £25. There was now no credit. H(> said hi" rented a furnished house while residing in Palmerston North and was unaware until January that, the money was owing to Watson Brothers, Ltd.

Defendant said he intended to leave New Zealand by the Doric Star. lie paid the passage money of £7l. after borrowing £OO from a friend named Glennie, who also stood hail for him. After his arrest, lie received a refund on his 1 boat ticket, and immediately paid back the amount ho had borrowed. There was no hack salary duo to him.

T HE COURT’S DECISION. i: No< position is now open to me, not

since I loft,” Blythe said in answer to the Court. ‘‘.My employers told me that there was temporary work this month, at a fairly good salary. H tlie position ivcrr open, I would take it, at least to the end ol dune. I hope to leave New Zealand and work my passage to lvnglnml.” .Mr Hone submitted that the east' was one- in which the Court could order payment to he made forthwith, as since the date of tin* judgment against defendant, he had had sufficient money to have paid the debt.

The Magistrate' said the judgment credit-.i- was entitled to an order, as defendant had admitted receiving from t’ 1 1 ■ shipping company a sum in excess ol the amount owing to the plaintiff; but used it to repay a loan. It was really bis own, although the money bad been lent to him for the purpose of purchasing a boat ticket.

On the judgment summons Hlythe was ordered to pay £47 51s Id forthwith, in default seven weess’ imprisonment. Costs amounting to £1 11s fid were also entered against him. Judgment hy confession for £252 lis B<l. with costs totalling £22 14s 6d was given against tin* defendant under the other claims. M r Indcr was granted leave bv the Court to issue an immediate execution in respect of each claim.