SEQUEL TO FIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16200, 25 November 1926, Page 13

SEQUEL TO FIRE

COURT’S ACTION RESENTED

(Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, this day

Tremendous public interest has been aroused throughout the Jla i Valley district as the outcome of a, recent Supreme Court action, wherein A. M. Hebberd, au Opouri settler, secured judgment for £360 and costs against a neighbor, Leonard Neal, as a result of a fire alleged to have been started by Neal, spreading to Hebberd’s place, destroying two houses and other property. A public meeting was held at Rai Valley in which uncomplimentary references were made to llebbcrd’s action, it- was felt throughout the Fcloruft district that Neal had suffered an injustice, and that an endeavor should be'made to have the law amended to prevent a repetition of such a case. It was stated at the meeting that Hebberd had been granted a, verdict for more than he had lost.

A resolution was carried deploring the fact that one of the settlers in the Rai Valley dioiiM Jake action against a neighbor in a, liro case, and that the other neighbors should have given evidonee for the . plaintiff in such ,a„case.. It was proposed that the settlers should subscribe to meet the amount of tho judgment, but this was objected to on the grounds that it, would be making a payment to Hebberd. Several speakers urged Neal to go to gaol rather than to pay. Neal confided to the meeting .that he wn-. not in a, position to pay.