LEGAL BATTLE ENDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23897, 26 August 1939, Page 22

LEGAL BATTLE ENDS

FIRE IN FLAX AREA DAMAGE SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Aug. 25. The legal battle over fire damage to the flax area at Mungaroa and Wallaceville entered its final phase in. the Supreme Court. Wellington, last night, where ; at midnight a special jury awarded the plaintiffs £1044 damages and costs. , . The plaintiffs, as executors of the will of David Crighton Marlin, were awarded £2750 damages, plus £282 costs, against the defendant, Sir Kenneth Douglas, baronet solicitor, of Wellington, on a £SOOO claim heard in May, 1938. , x . The Court of Appeal later granted an order for a new trial on, the question of damages only. ... . a 1 “The issue.” said Sir Michael Myers in summing up, “ was whether or not there was a crop of nullable flax on the property at the time of the fire, and what was its worth to the plaintiffs, immediate or potential. WITHHOLDING OF REBATE LOSSES TO SOUTHLAND CLUBS (Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL Aug. 23. Southland racing and trotting clubs will seriously feel the decision of the Government not to grant the usual I per cent, rebate on the totalisator tax on last season’s turnover. The difference to the Riverton Racing Club. Will be about £B6O. and the total loss to all Southland clubs is estimated at a little undei £4OOO. The approximate losses to clubs in Southland as a result of the withholding of the rebate, based on the totalisator turnovers last season, are as follows: —

RACING f £ Birchwood Hunt .. 123, Clifden Racing Club .. 16 Gore Racing Club .. .. 667 Otautau Racing Club .. 48 Riverton Racing Club .. 860 Southland Racing Club .. 718 Wairio Jockey Club 78 Winton Jockev Club .. 178 Wyndham Racing Club ., 222 Total .. .. £2910 TROTTING Invercargill Club .. 337 Gore Club .. 197 Wvndham Club .. 149 Winton Club .. 128 Total .. .. . • ■ • £811