LAW QUERIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3583, 14 November 1922, Page 39

LAW QUERIES.

fA n* wered by a solicitor of the Supreme Contf «f New Zealand. Letters and Telegrams must b* addressed’ to “LEX,” c/o Editor, Otago Witne*% Dunedin,]

Digger asks: Can you tell me how long a man’s wife would require to be in ft mental hospital before he can obtain ft divorce? Answer: The petitioner can obtain a divorce on the ground that the respondent is a person of unsound mind and is unlikely to recover and has been continuously a person of unsound mind ■ for the period of seven years immediately preceding the filing of the petition, and during the final three years of the said period of seven years has been confined as such in New Zealand in an institution within the meaning of “The Mental Defectives’ Act, 1911,” or in a like institution in any other country of the British dominions. C A. T. asks: (a) If the tenant of a rented house breaks a window in closing it, i» he liable to replace it? (b) If the tenant breaks it when closing it through the sash-cord breaking, is he still liable? Answers: (a) Yes. (b) No. Shorthorn asks: An agent for a firm brings along a buyer for some cattle and a deal is made. Can the agent’s firm claim commission from the vendor, when the cattle were not put into their hands for sale and no mention was ever made, that the buyer was buying through the firm? Answer: Under the above circumstances the agent's firm can claim commission. F. S.—lf the title to your property is under the deeds’ registration system, the deed of mortgage constitutes a link in your title and should be held by you. If the title to your property is under the land transfer system, the mortgage, upon x«.s discharge, is lodged in the Lands Registry Office and is retained by that office Digger asks: Can an alien act as a returning officer, deputy returning officer, or scrutineer in a parliamentary election? Answer: Yes. Broody. — (1) If the article is unmerchantable, you have a claim for damages. (2) You should interview the agent first. (3) You should refuse to pay the balance of the purchase money, and if sued you can counter-claim for damages. (4) You should claim against the selling agent. (5) If the witnesses support your claim, you have grounds for action. (6) It is impossible to say. (7) You should return the machine.