WYNDHAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1947, 18 June 1891, Page 19

WYNDHAM.

Juke 16.— A court case in which some interest was centred— Watson v. Richardson- was heard at Invercargill last week. Mrs Watson was formerly proprietress of the Wyndham Hotel ; Richardson is a livery stable keeper and coach proprietor here. Mrs Watson claimed £1 per week for two years for the ute of the stables by defendant. The 'defence was that the plaintiff bad free transit on all coaob.es, and the use of the stables was more than counterbalanced by the custom the defendant brought to the hotel. The arrangement, if any existed, was rather a loose affair. So long as things went smoothly it might answer, but woe betide the one who had the wrong end of the stick if a quibble arose and the court had to be the arena in which to settle it. Richardson so far appears to have had the wrong end of the stick, and has by an intelligent 'jury been called on to pay 10s per week, or a total of £52. While the large majority hereabouts agree that the amount is reasonable and fair; I consider the verdict wrong. Mrs Watioo. did not render her account for rent until some 16 months had elapsed, and on the face of this the claim looks very like an after-thought. There were quite a number of witnesses. Messrs Milne, Turner, Monaghan, Mortimer, Elliott, and Trayner gave evidence for Mr 'Biohardson, and Messrs Templeton, Maben, and Cnlpin (manager of Hew Zealand Insurance Company) for the opposite ■Ide.

Fire.— On Thursday evening last the stables belonging to Mr stock were totally destroyed by fire. At about half-past 7 on that evening an individual was observed leaving the premises, and a few minutes afterwards flames burst out. A valuable mare belonging to Mr Maben was in the stable at the time, but she was fortunately released, and when It was seen tbat there was no chance of putting out the fire, the stables adjoining- belonging to Mr Templeton— received the attention of the crowd, and so manfully did all work that they were saved. In the stable destroyed Mr Teupleton had some chaff and oats 'stored, so he will be a loser to some extent. The building was insured for £75 in the New Zealand office. This fire'ls, there can be no doubt, the work of an incendiary, and it is to be hoped the proper authorities will exhaust every means to bring the culprit to justice. There have been too many suspicious fires in Wyndham, and it would have a wholesome effect if a culprit were at last brought to justice. The Wbatheb —The continuation of the weather for which Southland is so famed has exhausted the' patience of everyone. The crops are all in, but a number of stacks hurriedly built have been damaged. Farmers are busy carting, and, as may be expeoted, the roads are very bad. The valley road generally hold b the palm hereabouts, but lam inclined to give the belt to the road opposite 'the cemetery. There will be some burying there if something is ' not done to it soon. To be so near a centre it is a disgrace to both county and road board.