DAIRY ASSOCIATION CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22173, 29 July 1935, Page 10

DAIRY ASSOCIATION CASE

EX-EMPLOYEE'S CLAIM JUDGMENT FOR £l9 10s 9d [by telegraph—own correspondent] OPOTIKI, Saturday The hearing of the claim for £287 10s as loss of wages and compensation for alleged wrongful dismissal brought by V?. C. Neil (Mr. N. V. Hodgson) against tho Opotiki Dairy Association (Mr. J. S. Wauchop) was concluded yesterday beforo Mr. E. P. Walton, S.M. J. R. Sinclair, general manager of the defendant company, who continued his evidence, stated that plaintiff was called first assistant, the question of him being called manager never being mentioned. Witness detailed occurrences, which had happened in regard to complaints of treatment of members of the staff by Neil and also details of what happened when witness gave plaintiff notice. Witness said that he and plaintiff went to Morrinsville on January 17 and conferred with Professor Riddett and Mr. Sterling. Terms of engagement were drawn up by Professor Riddett. These were signed by witness but plaintiff refused to sign them. The examination of witness continued for a considerable time. At one period witness continued to talk while the magistrate was addressing Mr. Wauchop, This resulted in Mr. Walton threatening to have witness removed from the Court if he interrupted again. In giving judgment Mr. Walton remarked that there could be only ono head in any concern. He found that plaintiff has disobeyed orders and had refused to sign an agreement when asked to do so. Ho awarded plaintiff the sum of £l9 10s 9d—the amount thac had been paid into Court —with costs £1 Is. The defendant company was allowed £34 2s 6d costs.