AN ARCHITECT'S LAW SUIT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 8 February 1909, Page 3

AN ARCHITECT'S LAW SUIT.

DEALING WITH TENDERS. [United Peess Assooiatioh.] AUCKLAND, Saturday, lu Ihe Magistrate's Court this afternoon, \V. dc- Muntalk, architect, sued J. W. Una re and Co., leather merchants, Wakefiold-street, for tbe of £~-l It:. I'l, for work douc aud for money paid by the plaiutiff ou behalf of thc defendant-?. The case for the plaintiff was that he bad becu cm ployed by the d-feiulunts to prepare plans, etc., for business premises iu \Vakefiehl--irret. Tlio tenders (seven or eight in miiitljor) were duly received, and particular thereof handed to the defendants. Oue of tho tenderers (Mr J. H. Julian) withdrew his price (£1177) because of a mistake in his estimate- 1 . This left Messrs Newson and Campling as tbe lowest tenderers at .fl-197. The defendants considered that the tenders were too high, and subsequently arranged with Mr .Lilian to uudertake tho work at a revised price. The plaintiff objected that the procedure was irregular, and declined to go on with the supervision of the worlc. Expert evidence was called to show that the defendants had net acted in accordance with the practice usually adopted in Aucklaud, one witness stating that when no tenders were accepted within 31 days, it was usual to compensate thc lowest tenderer nt the rate of a quarter per cept. ou the amount of his tender. The defendants' evidence was to the effect that plaintiff had been given to understand that the de fendants were prepared to pay him a reasonable amount for preparing hi_ original plans, etc.. but they entirely repudiated hi~ claim in respect to thipreparation of copies, which they as sorted had not been ordered. Thc case was adjourned fill Thursdav next, in order to secure the attendance of Mr Julian.