RIVERTON COURT

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 3

RIVERTON COURT

MONTHLY SITTING. The monthly sitting, held on Tuesday was presided over by Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., and Warden. ’ Mining Applications. A. E. Reece made application for a prospecting license, Round Hill—Mr G. Reed instructed by Mr E. B. Patrick, applied for an adjournment to July 10. Mr J. A. C. Mackenzie, who represented the objectors, opposed an adjournment, unless the expenses were guaranteed by applicant. This was agreed to and the Warden adjourned the application as requested. T. Decofsky applied for a prospecting license Pahia—Adjourned to July, with costs against applicant. A. Macdougall, applied for surrender of an alluvial claim—Granted. Civil Cases. , Judgment for plaintiffs by default was given in the following cases. Cameron and Finn v. J. Gordon for £4 18/- and costs; J. Pay v. J. Skeggs for £1 18/- and costs. For failing to pay the unemployment levy T. T. Smith was fined 10/- and costs. Breaches of Licensing Act. I. Bony, B. Leary and C. Trail were charged with being found on licensed premises, the Railway Hotel, during prohibited hours. Constable Fraser gave evidence as to visiting the hotel and finding the defendants there. One of them, in reply to his inquiry, ’stated that he went there for the purpose of securing liquor, which had been supplied. Leary, who was represented by Mr J. A. C. MacKenzie, stated that he was a boarder and slept on the premises. The Magistrate fined Bony 10/- and costs 12/-; Trail was convicted and fined 10/-, while the case against Leary was dismissed. A charge against L. Leary barman at the hotel, of supplying liquor after hours, was adjourned until next Court day. A Disputed Claim. Philp and Dickson proceeded against James McDonough on a claim of £4 10/-, the balance of contract money. Defendant counter claimed for £1 for meals supplied. Mr Gordon Reed (instructed by Mr E. B. Patrick) appeared for plaintiffs, defendant conducting his own case. H. E. Philp, plumber, Riverton, gave evidence to the effect that his firm had carried out certain works on defendant’s house at Spar Bush. A price was given to Mr McKenzie (the contractor), and £4 10/- was still owing on the contract. No complaints were made about the work till about twelve months later. A. R. Dickson, partner m the firm, gave corroborative evidence. He stated that no mention was made about a charge for meals. On the first day he and his men took their lunch with them and defendant’s brother invited then! to have the meal, but no mention was made about paying for the meals. R. C. Beer corroborated the evidence of the previous witness as regards the meals. After the evidence of defendant had been heard the Magistrate, in giving judgment, said that no complaint was made about faulty work until repeated applications had been made for a settlement of the balance of the account.

The leaks on the roof complained about might have existed. Plaintiffs, however, were entitled to recover the amount claimed. As regards the counter-claim, it appeared that no arrangements had been made about charging for the meals and these would be disallowed. Judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs.