DAIRYMEN AT LOGGERHEADS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9998, 15 June 1918, Page 11

DAIRYMEN AT LOGGERHEADS

A. iD(A/NINiB7IERIEE CASE,

A oaso jpartly heard at Palmerston North oame More Mr Justice Hosting in the Supreme Court yesterday. The plaintiff woe William Henry Walsh, of Matamau, dairy farmer, and the defendants the Maitamau Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd., of Dannevirke. The plaintiff alleged that In Decomiber, 1916, foe became a shareholder in tihe company and supplied all the milk from hia .farm to the company from December, 1916, till January, 1918. Last January 'tihe defendant company refused to accept any more milk' from tho plaintiff. It iwas the custom of the company not to may any interest on shares to shareholders, but to divide all profits amongst the milk-supplying shareholders. During the last lour months of 1817 and January, 1018, uho plaintiff had •supplied large quantities of milk ito th© company, and ett .the end of the season would ibe entitled to receive a further amount By way of bonus. Owing to the irefusal «f the company to accept his anilk he 'had been compelled to make ifresh arrangements and had to supply ia (factory .which rendered it necessary ifor him to carry the milk a further distance of eight miles over rough «nd hilly roads. The plaintiff asked the Court to make a. declaration that ho twas entitled to a. bonus at the same rate as .might H& (paid to the other shareholders in regpoct of the milk supplied since August, 1017. He also cl aimed ,£3OO damages. For the defence it was (pointed out that plaintiff would receive his further bonus ins Boon as laccount sales for cheese were, availaible. u The reason that the company had ceased taking milk from the plaintiff was that contrary to the by-laws of the company , (he repeatedly interfered with the manager and servants at tho factory. His conduct becoming intolerable, his contract was determined by reasonable notice. After hearing argument His Honour reserved judgment. M r H. Oiopor (Palmerston North) appeared fcT the plaintiff j Mr D. M. Findlay and Mr Lloyd (Dannevirke) for the defendant company.