UNUSUAL POSITION

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1186, 8 December 1924, Page 10

UNUSUAL POSITION

JUDGE SHAREHOLDER IN COMPANY, UNABLE TO HEAR CASE. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Dec. C. An unusual position occurred at the Supreme Court to-day when Mr .Tusu.ce Reed said he could not try a on the civil list, as he was a shareholder in the defendant company, the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Frozen Meat and Mercantile Company. < Tlio action was brought by John W. Boniface against the company, claiming £IO7B for alleged personal injuries and the ease was to have been heard before a jury of 12. When the ease was called, Mr Justice Reed said: “This case cannot go on this session, for the reason, I am sorry to say, that I am unable to try it. ' When 1 was in Gisborne, some considerable time ago, I purchased some debentures in the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Company and in consequence I cannot possibly take the case. I. have looked into the authorities, and even if counsel were willing it would not be proper to go on with the ease. ’ His Honour said lie would take an early opportunity to dispose of the shares. The same firm was also involved in a motion for a changing order, and although it was a minor matter, it would not bo right for him to deal with it, and it too would be adjourned till next session.