INVOLVED CLAIMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 13

INVOLVED CLAIMS

HOSPITAL CONTRACT SEQUEL DECISION OF MAGISTRATE [BY TELEGEAPH—OWX COEBESPON'DEN'T] WHANGAREI, Tuesday Protracted legal proceedings arising from claims in connection with a contract for the removal of the hospital from Mangonui to Kaitaia and its reerection there were finally dealt, with by Mr. G. N. Morris. S.M., in the Whangarei Magistrate's Court to-day. The plaintiffs were G. R. Richards, who claimed to recover £125; W. E. Wood, £266; John Burns and Company, Limited, £24; and A. H. Stanton, £ll9. Each plaintiff claimed against the Mangonui Hospital Board, Alexander Young Provan, who had the contract for the work, and the official assicnoG in bankruptcy in the estate of Provan. The magistrate said the claims for liens must fail, as Mr. Justice Fair had ruled that the Magistrate's Court had no jurisdiction. However, the claims against the official assignee would succeed. The effect of this decision would be that each plaintiff would become an ordinary creditor. Mr. Johnson said that all parties had agreed to pay their own costs to avoid complications and lengthy argument on the question.