MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 302, 14 May 1913, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

CIVIL SUITS. .There was a civil sitting of the Magistrate's Court yesterday uefore Mr. A. Crooke, S.M. Wm. Sutfelt was sued by Wm. Humphries for the siim of £2 75,, representing the value of certain goods and chattels alleged to have been removed by the defendant from the plaintiff's farm. Mr. F. Wilson appeared for tlie plaintiff, and Mr. G. Grey, instructed by Messrs. Roy and Nicholson,, for the defendant. - "* ■ , The plaintiff alleged that the defendant, who had acted as caretaker of his farm, k'ad the use of the kitchen utensils, which were in the house at the time. The defendant also purchased a scythe, which he charged to the plaintiff, and which he paid, for. The scythe, together with other tools, had been removed by tlie defendant when he left. Evidence was given by John Kemp, the present caretaker, to the effect, t&at ' hfe st&te'd : 7t<!' had ' helped' I 'defendant to ylottd ftity'liis things, and'a seethe and ait ; axe were put on' the waggon. There were no kitchen utensils or farm tools about the house when he took possession. The defendant, whose story was supported by his wife, said' that there were no kitchen utensils in the house when lie took possession,, with the exception of an old scythe, which was his own, lie did not know that any of the plaintiff's tools were brought away from the farm. Suming up, his Worship said that the onus of proof was upon plaintiff, and lie was not satisfied that it had been discharged, except irt the case of the scythe, which lie ordered to be returned or its value (8s) refunded. Costs to the amount of £1 were aillowed the plaintiff. UNDEFENDED CASES. Judgment by default was given in the following undefended eases:—F. G. White and Sons (Mr. J. B. Roy) v. Benjamin Wilson, claim £4 Is fid, costs 15s; Roy and Nicholson (Mr. G. Grey) v. Thomas Xorthcott,, cl,aim £5 . (£1 9s 6d); same (Mr. G. Grey) v. Mrs. J., Northcott, claim 13s, (15s); same (Mr. ! G. Grey) y. Mrs. C. M. Duggan, claim 5s (id (2s), Judgment summons—The Auckland Importing Company (Mr. A. Bewley) v. F. von Lubbe, claim for £3 18s 4d. An order was made for payment of the amount on or before May 20, .or in default four days' imprisonment. ' I