Claim for Rent Made Before Magistrate

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6839, 21 April 1932, Page 8

Claim for Rent Made Before Magistrate

PLAINTIFF SECURES JUDGMENT Before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., at the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, an action was heard in which the Public Trustee (Mr. Lusk) claimed from William John Barlow (Mr. Laurenson) the sum of £9 "s rent iii respect of the Manakau Town hall. Defendant had paid the sum of £3 6s into Court.

Counsel for plaintiff stated that arrangements had been made during ino lifetime of Mrs. Dalzcll for defendant to rent the hall on Wednesday nights to show pictures, at 14s per week, this arrangement being continued when the estate was being administered by tho Public Trustee. William Dalzcll gave evidence that tlie tenancy was entered into in 1930, the rent at first being 12s per week and afterwards 14s per week. He stated that defendant was to have tho halt every Wednesday and to pay whether ho used it or not. Defendant stated in evidence that tho first arrangement was that lio should pay 14s per night for the use of the ball and plant. Tho plant was later taken out of the hall and defendant desired a reduction in rent. About this time Mrs. Dalzcll died and later ho received a demand from the Public Trustee for tho rent. His contention was that he was to pay for tho hall only for tho nights on which it was used and he had paid into Court tho amount due on that basis. Defendant had written to the Public Trust Offico in January stating that unless some fresh arrangement was made he would not bo using the hall again. Judgment was given for plaintiff for £2 Ids and £2 4s 6d in addition to the amount paid into Court.