CLAIM FOR RENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 222, 20 August 1931, Page 3

CLAIM FOR RENT.

LEASE OF A FARM. WELLINGTON, Aug. 20. Although a sum of only £9O was involved in a claim for rent, which was heard in the Supreme Court yesterday by Mr Justice MacGregor, four counsel were engaged in the case. One of them stated that a sum running well into four figures was really involved in the action. Plaintiff was James Munro Bertram, settler, Wellington (Mr Watson and Mr Shorland), and defendant George John Stratton, farmer, Levin (Mr Baldwin and Mr Fitzherjjcrt, Palmerston North). Plaintiff’s case was that ho leased his property to defendant for a term of five years from August 20, 1926, at a clear annual rental of £193 13s, payable in half-yearly instalments in August and February of each year; the first payment was made on February 20, 1927. The half-yearly instalments of £96 16s 6d, due on February 20, 1931, had not been paid, although demanded, and the action was taken to recover the amount. The case had been sent forward from the Magistrate’s Court. The defence was that in February, 1930, plaintiff accepted John Matthew Milne, of Levin, as the purchaser of the land in discharge of any claim he might have against defendant as lessee under the lease, so that defendant was not liable. The case was somewhat complicated, as defendant had, with the knowledge of plaintiff, leased the property to another party, and then followed the sale as alloged by defendant, and which he claimed released him from liability. Mr Watson submitted that the defences were not an answer to plaintiff’s case, and after hearing legal argument and evidence, His Honour- gave judg-. nient for the plaintiff for the amount claimed, with costs.