AMAZING FAITH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23326, 19 October 1937, Page 10

AMAZING FAITH

WOMAN WORKER NO WAGES FOR TWENTY YEARS Stated to have worked for a man for 20 years without remuneration on his promise to repay her before he died, a woman successfully sued him at Southend County Court, England, recently. Miss’ Alice Salisbury, aged 48, of Blackpool, claimed £5 5s arrears on payment of 7s 6d weekly under an oral promise made in 1919 by William Astins, aged 62, a retired cycle dealer, of Ueigh-on-Sea, Essex. Appearing for Miss Salisbury, Mr J. P Nolan stated that she went from Blackpool to Southend in 1914 with her then employer, and she made the acquaintance of Astins by staying at his-sister’s apartment house. They became friendly, and used to go to places of amusement together. .... In 1915, when men of Astins age were being conscripted, he went to London. He kept in touch with Miss Salisbury, and in 1916 told her that he had decided to purchase second-hand bicycles and send them to Southend to be cleaned, renovated, and sold. He asked for her assistance in this business. and she consented to help him. SOLD BICYCLES

From 1916 till 1919 about 200 machines were renovated and sold, and Miss Salisbury received no remuneration whatever. In 1919, when Astins apparently thought it safe to return to Southend, added Mr Nolan, he rented and afterwards bought premises in Hamlet road, where Miss Salisbury •, continued to work without pay. Astins told her that he was very grateful to her for what she had done, and if she continued to work for him she would be amply repaid when he died, and even if they fell out over anything he would make provision for her. As a result of that promise, Miss Salisbury continued to work for him until 1936 without remuneration. In 1927 Astins moved to Leigh, and Miss Salisbury assisted him there in connection with a boarding house. In February, 1936, Astins started making a payment of 7s 6d a week to her. He said then that he was beginning to pay her for the work she had done for him, and that from that date he intended paying her 7s 6d each week. He was, in fact, only keeping the terms of the verbal agreement made in 1919. “A GREAT LOVE”

On her return from hospital on July 28, 1936, Miss Salisbury found the following letter dated two days previously:— “My dear Alice, —I take it that you will be surprised when you know that I have met a lady for whom I have a great love, and I feel that we have been brought together by God. “ I hope that you realise the difference in that love and understand my feelings, and that this will not alter in the least my brotherly love for you which, I hope, will always continue between us. “ I had Mr Duggan’s advice, and he said if I had made up my mind it was true love for marriage no one should interfere, but he hoped that it would make no difference to the 7s 6d weekly which I am allowing you; and I told him that I agreed to pay this amount until your death. “ Of course, I quite appreciate what you have done for me in the past, and the consideration I am making is only fair to you.—l remain, your affectionate brother Will Astins.” Mr Nolan explained that Mr Duggan was a mutual friend of the parties. The payment of 7s 6d a week was continued until March 29, 1937, when Miss Salisbury received the following letter; “ Dear Alice, —I am sorry I cannot help you any more. In the circumstances I find it impossible. Trusting you will see this in the right light— Yours sincerely. Will.” In the witness box Miss Salisbury stated that Astins told her that he had made a will in her favour, so that in the event of anything happening to him she would always have something for the work she had done. Astins stated that he was a conscientious objector, and went to London in 1915 to become a motor driver in the St. John Ambulance Corps. He denied the alleged promise of 1919. although he said he would be a friend to Miss Salisbury. Judge Beasley held that there was an enforceable contract between the two parties that Astins would pay Miss Salisbury 7s 6d a week as long as she lived, and gave judgment for Miss Salisbury for the amount claimed, with costs.