GIRLS AT MILFORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19415, 25 August 1926, Page 14

GIRLS AT MILFORD.

PAYMENT OF RENT OF HOUSE. SEQUEL IN COURT CASE. The rental of a house at Milford by eight young women had a sequel in the Magistrates Court yesterday when Ernest Albert Hitchings, contractor (Mr. Newberry), claimed £4B rent from Frances Standish, dentist's assistant (Mr. Cahill). Mr. Newberry said the cottage was taken for the Christmas holidays by defendant, acting for a number of young women. An agreement was signed covering the period from December 7, 1925, to April 7, 1926. The young women each contributed toward the weekly rent, but after paying £l2 they went out of posse 3-, sion on February 7, gave up the keys and ignored all demands for continued payment of rent. When proceedings were instituted defendant, who signed the lease, stating she was the only one over 21, went to his office and paid 10s. She then said she would pay off the remainder in weekly sums. A little later she pleaded she was under ago, and did not intend to pay any more. Mr. Cahill said the defence was that defendant was an infant, and'&b such could not be held liable. She did not attain her majority until March Bbf this year. The contract was entered into on November 16 last year, so that she was a minor at the time. Counsel quoted authorities to support his contention, and added that even although defendant had now attained her majority she could not "be held liable. Defendant said the reason for giving up the bach was finance. Instead of eight girls going into the house only four went to live there. The total amount of rent paid was £l3. When she found the others did not intend to pay anything witness dropped out of the arrangement. Mr. Cahill said he relied upon section 13 of the Infants' Relief Act, 1908, under which the signing of the contract by defendant was void. The magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean, reserved his decision pending the production of defendant's birth certificate.