A COOKING CONTRACT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9607, 5 September 1911, Page 5

A COOKING CONTRACT.

CLAIM FOR £144 DAMAGES. A case was heard before tho Magistrate this morning in which Adolphus Oxley, cook, of Palmorston sued George Craw, flaxmillcr, of Linton, for £144 damages alleged to have been earned by defendant's wrongful termination of a'contract with plaintiff for the latter to cook for and supply victuals to tho men employed at Craw's mill, Linton, for tho season extending from May of this year to February. 1912. It was claimed that tho conditions of the contract were that Craw was to pay Oxley 15s per head per week for cooking and supplying , victuals to from 30 to 35 men; defendant to allow plaintiff and his family to occupy a certain cottago on tho mill promises, havo the milk from one cow, and use of a piece of ground for a vegetable garden, and a_ supply of'meat at 3d per ib; that plaintiff was to pay defendant h a head per week for the use of cooking utensils, and £1 per week for coal. Defendant had promised that from 30 to 35 men would be employed at tho mill during the contract, but ho only ompbyed from' 14 to 16 men por week. Acting on defendant's representation plaintiff entered into the contract and relinquished a contract with the Waingawa Freezing Co., sold up his homo in Masterfcon and removed to Linton. It wa6 further stated that on or about July 22 defendant refused to allow plaintiff to complete tho contract.

Mr Mason appoarcd for plaintiff and Mr Fitzhcrbcrt for defendant. Plaintiff, who is a coloured man, gave evidence in support of the claim. The evidence of John Cotter.' taken irt Mastorton, was put in, Charles Gas.coignD, buteher, of Tokomaru, and Adolphus Kruse also gave evidence. In his evidence defendant stated that ho _ gave plaintiff a month's notice. Plaintiff said ho would go at once and defendant replied that ho could please himself. It was difficult to get a good cook, and as long as Oxley gave satisfaction defendant was prepared to keep him' on. Complaints had reached defendant a s to non-payment of tradesmen. Ovley had represented himself as a first-class cook, but had not proved that he answered that description. (Left sitting.)