CLAIM FOR SERVICES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 142, 6 September 1927, Page 14

CLAIM FOR SERVICES

SECURING NATIVE SIGNATURES The Supreme Court in Hamilton yesterday was occupied with the hearing of a claim by Rata Renata for a sum of £2OO alleged to be due to him for work done in securing the consent of native owner to the sale of a block of 10,000 acres of land. The defendant was Harold Jenkins, native land agent. In the course of his evidence plaintiff stated that he was approached by defendant, who was acting as agent for George Syme and Company, timber millers, Hawera, to assist him to purchase the block in question. There were 975 owners interested in the area, and plaintiff said defendant promised him £2OO if he would obtain the sanction of the. owners to the deal. Witness visited all the principal owners and after some months’ work the sale was effected. Plaintiff endeavoured to secure payment of the £2OO that had been promised, but Jenkins denied that the money was owing. A general denial of indebtedness was made by the defence, and Mr. Justice Herdman said that it was the duty of plaintiff to prove his claim, and as he had not done so a non-suit with costs was entered.