FIRE DAMAGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3282, 30 June 1943, Page 4

FIRE DAMAGE

TROUBLE ON THE PLAINS PATETONGA FARM CLAIM £65/10/- DAMAGES AWARDED Judgment in accordance with the magistrate’s assessment of damages has now been entered in a ease m which 0. and R. G. Boatswain, of Patetonga (Mr A. Needham) claimed from Sydney P. Crawford, of Kopu (Mr E. B. Clendon), the sum of £29o' 11s 9d damages caused by a fire which the plaintiffs alleged started on Crawford’s property and spread to their farm. The case was originally heard in the Magistrate’s Court by Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., and the plaintiffs

were nonsuited. On appeal in the Supreme Court at Hamilton the plaintiffs’ appeal was upheld and the judge referred the case back to the magistrate to assess damages. Application was then made by the defendant to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeal, but this application was dismissed. In his assessment of damages, Mr Paterson awarded plaintiffs £5O 10s special and £l5 general damages. 'Costs amounting to £l9 3s were allowed.