AN INTERESTING POINT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13468, 16 December 1905, Page 7

AN INTERESTING POINT.

(Per United Prrss Association.) WELLINGTON, December 15. Tlio case of James D. Sicvwright aga.inst tho New Zealand Times Company was decided to-day before Mr Justice Cooper and special jury of four. Mr Myers appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Findlay for defendant. The claim was for £312, boins ono year's salary (£416), less payments made by tho defendant company. Jn opening his case Mr Myers said his client was employed l>y tho defendant company as editor of tho Now Zealand Mail, ami for some timo a-s day editor of the New Zealand Times. Owin.7 to the caprice of a. new management his services were dispensed with, three months' notice being given. It was intimated that thi'i'o was no question raised as to plaintiff's ability, or steadiness, or character, nnd that tho only qiestion to go to tho jury was as lo what was reasonable notice to give to ti man occupying the position plaintiff held. In addressing tjio jury for the defence Mr Findlay contended it would bo unfair to journalism on both sides (master and man) if it was laid down that 12 months' notice was necessary. Mobility marked in a great, degree the conditions of life in New Zealand, and it was ■no truei test to sot up English conditions as a, guide- for us. In summing up his Honour said if ho could express his opinion—and it seemed to him he was entitled to do so in lliis case—it did seem to him that there \yas no evidence on which the jury could find that plaintiff was •entitled to 12 months' notice. ' Whether ho was entitled to more than three months' notice was another matter. The jury, after 12 minutes' deliberation, returned a verdict that three months' notice was not sufficient, and were of opinion that six months' notice should have been given. His Honour said he quite agreed with the verdict. Judgment was accordingly entered for plaintiff for an additional £104, with costs on the lowest scalo.