CLAIM AGAINST MINISTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 10

CLAIM AGAINST MINISTER

MESSENGER'S 'GRIEVANCE.

NO CAUSE OF ACTION SHOWN.

[BY. TELEGBAPH. —OWN :COaBE3PON'DENT.J %■ WELLINGTON. Wednesday. .An incident which occurred in the House .of Representatives during the recent session had its sequel; in the Magistrate's ..Court yesterday, when, a former messenger, Joseph Kenny/ took action against /: the Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister for Agriculture, for the recovery of damages. In •his statement., of claim, plaintiff said he was suspended on the night of Monday, '■ August 27, on the complaint of Captain Mundy, A.D.C. to the Governor-General, "On applying next morning' to the pay clerk for moneys due to me, I was kept waiting till 2 p.m. Friday for the amount, for which amount I hold William Nos- '■ worthy, 11, Hill Street, Wellington, is responsible, and I claim the amount of £2 G3.6d as damages." . "'■'• There was no appearance of plaintiff when the case was called. "Rather an unusual statement of claim," observed ' the magistrate, Mr. E. Page. "What is it all about?" i Mr. J. A., Tudhope. of the Crown Law Office, explained that plaintiff, on .the evening of August 27, had encountered trouble through having partaken too freely of liquid refreshment. In the course of delivering some papers, he, had apparently stumbled against the Governor's aide-de-camp. The Sergesnt-at-Arms sus- ; pended the' messengers, instructing " him to report to the chief messenger's ; room next morning. Plaintiff, however, had remarked, that he hadp" made a fool of himpelf," and his .resignation followed. The wac:es duo were paid. The statement of claim, contended counsel, did not disclose ' any- cause of action,, and in any event, should have been made against the Crown ' and. .not.'the''Minister. • - The case was struck out, costs being allowed to the defendant. '' *