SUPREME COURT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 59, 10 March 1911, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

[l'B ESS' ASSOCIATION. ].

HOKITIKA, March 9. <-.'- The SupremeXourt sittings opened this morning. Mr Justice Denniston presided. The only criminal business was a, charge of perjury" against Bang Chong, on which the jury failed to agree> at the last X sittings. His Honor congratulated the district on , the absence of crime, and was presented by the grand jury with a'pair of white gloves, there being.no indictments to present to them. WELLINGTON, March .9. In the Supreme Court to-day James Flowers, a wharf laborer, proceeded against the Wharf Laborers' Union for a mandamus compelling the Union to enrol ,him as a member, and' claiming £175, damages for, having so refused- up to the present. The facts were t that the Union claimed that Flowers was in, ajrrears of contributions i and they had struck him . off the books, the result being that owing to the preference clause he could get no work on'iHhe wharf. In July last Flowers wrptU to the Union ap* plyine; to v be enrolled, and forwards ing his entrance' fee, but the Union refused the enrolment until the 12s arrears were paid. Plaintiff declined to do this until a statement of how the arrears were made up was presented to him. Counsel for Flowers alleged that the Union # took up an attitude of equivocation towards Flowers all through. The hearing is proceeding.