GRASS FIRE ACTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18742, 23 June 1924, Page 8

GRASS FIRE ACTION.

DAMAGES FOR PLAINTIFFS. THE MENDIP HILLS CASE. ; fBX TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.} CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. '; After a hearing extending over seven days, : a verdict has / been given, in the 'Supreme Court, in the case 'in which . Robert Keir McCaudless farmer, of Parnassus, claimed £1913 10s and Alister Malcolm ' McFarlane £4000 from Norman Rutherford, of Mendip Hills, for damage alleged to have been done by a grass fire which spread from defendant's property.' Mr. Justice Adams was on the Bench, and • there was a 'common jury of 12. ! "'■ ■ The findings returned were by a threefourths majority. -■ The amount awarded McFarlane was £500, and McCaudless £526. . ■■..vV : ->^ :^;;\"v'-: . - An application by counsel for defendant to move for a non-suit and a new trial on the ground .that the verdict was against the weight of evidence was granted. • /;