"Soulless Thing"

NZ Truth, Issue 1305, 18 December 1930, Page 5

"Soulless Thing"

avoid his legal obligations oAving to bad business AA-as inequitable. "A company, as Aye all knoAV," continued counsel,' "is a soulless thing. They come here with tears in* their eyes to talk about the Avelfare of the 'poor' boys." His Honor: Although . a company may not have a soul to save or a body to damn, it niay still be hard pressed. Counsel renewed his cross-exami-nation of witness. "What did you get for the place?" he asked. Mr. Northcroft (jumping to his feet) : You need not answer, that question if you do not v/ish to, you know. 'Witness: Oh, I have nothing to hide. The award of the arbi- • trators was £59,700 for the entire property — land and. building. Mr. Sullivan: I understand the whole of the capital Avas not called up? — It was called up. In ansAver to another question, witness said there was only one company. Mr. Sullivan: The company m Christchurch is not m serious trouble, is it?— No. "This is one of the most impudent and insolent applications Avhich have ever been taken before the Court," said Mr. Sullivan, m his address. "Nobody knew better than the applicants when they sold out that they had obligations to honor. On behalf of the boys, 1 can say that they are prepared even now to discuss any reasonable ! settlement," I