DRAPERY GOODS DAMAGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 7

DRAPERY GOODS DAMAGED.

! SHIPPING COMPANY'S LLiBILITTES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION*.] DTJNEDIN. Thursday. Judgment was given by Mr. Widdowson in a case in which the Drapery Supply Association claimed £46 6s 2d from the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company as damages in respect of certain goods which the I plaintiffs were alleged to have spoiled j through negligent carriage in the steamer ; lonic from London to Dunedin in the | early part of 1918. The magistrate said ! he thought there was no question as to I whether the damage occurred after the | goods were discharged from the ship, as j the evidence clearly showed that some at least of the damage was discernible while i the goods were still in the ship's hold, I and that none of the damage was recent. It seemed that the damage could not have been done by green or sappy timber, but :by the agency of water. The defendants | were not called upon to show how the goods were damaged, but the onus was ■ cast upon them of proving that the dam- ; agie did not arise while the goods were i on the ship or in their custody, or that it , came within the exceptions of the bill of I lading. He did not think the defendants j had discharged that onus, and he had ! come to the conclusion that plaintiffs had j established their case. Security for appeal ! was fixed at £20. plus the " amount of judgment.