HAWERA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 July 1926, Page 2

HAWERA NEWS.

SHOWMEN FALL OUT. CIRCUS PROPRIETORS’ SUED. A CLAIM FOR WAGES. (From Our Own Reporter.) Hawera, July 6. Quite a "circus” atmosphere prevailed in the Hawera Court this morning when two showmen featured in a claim for wages, the Court being occupied by a number of .circus employees and actresses, while during the hearing of the case circus music from a nearby roundabout provided the true atmosphere. The case arose out of a claim by a native, William Richmond, otherwise known as William McLeod, against Harry Godfrey, showman, and Maud Godfrey, his wife, and Mrs. Baker, who were in partnership under the name of Godfrey and Baker, in a circus venture. The claim was in respect of five weeks’ wages at £1 per Week and £2 14s for two weeks' board while in Hawera, less the £1 paid to plaintiff. Messrs. E. Dixon and G. A. Burgess, J.P.’s, were on the bench. "It seems to me that the evidence points that the case should come against the Bakers, and not Mrs. Godfrey,” said Mr. Dixon, in dismissing the ease, “I think the best thing for you to do is to go back to your people and not go following circuses about,” concluded Mr. Dixon. William Richmond, formerly employed by Godfrey and Baker’s circus, said he commenced working for the defendants at Pukekohe on May 27 last, and travelled with them from Pukekohe to' New Plymouth. His work consisted of erecting the tents and being generally useful. He had travelled with the circus to Hamilton, then to Otorohanga and later to New Plymouth. During this time he. was engaged on work for the proprietors, and he was boarded by them. At New Plymouth he was'given £1 at the showgrounds. He had then been in the employ of the defendants for three weeks. From Otorohanga he brought the eleven horses for a great part of the distance to New Plymouth. At New Plymouth he received orders from Baker to bring eight horses to Hawera, Baker having given him £1 to pay his way through. Baker had stated that he would be in Hawera before plaintiff. At Inglewood he had to pay 8s 6d for accommodation for himself and the horses, and at Stratford 4s Od. On arriving at Hawera Baker was not present to meet him", and he found paddocking for the horses. He had only 7s 6d on arriving at Hawera, and stayed there for two weeks. He then went on to Wanganui to get instructions from Godfreys. Ho took the police round to th’ Wanganui Show and Mrs. Godfrey paid him his train fare to the constable. He severed hie connection with the defendants on June 30. He had not received aßy A'urther advances except the

A native, Jack Lee, previously in the employ of Godfrey and. Baker’s circus, gave evidence of Richmond’s connection with the circus, and said no definite wage had been fixed, but it was understood that if the show did well they were to be similarly treated. The present employer of Richmond, George Carrie, said he was paying plaintiff 30s per week, and it was customary to provide board and lodging for employees. Evidence of meeting plaintiff in Hawera in a penniless condition and of finding accommodation for him was given by Richard Barrett, bailiff, of Hawera. Counsel for the defence submitted that there was no case to answer, and stafed that Baker and the Godfreys were not in partnership. Mrs. Baker had her troupe and ran together wit), the Godfreys for four shows, when they broke up. The plaintiff was really a "hanger-on.” He had been sent to Hawera with the horses by Mrs. Baker’s son. Maud Godfrey, show proprietress, denied that she was in partnership with the Bakers, and declared there had never been a partnership. Richmond had always been a “hanger-on” and at one time her husband had warned him to keep away from the circus, as be could not afford to employ any more men. “These people have dodged on more than one occasion. This body has done his work and is entitled to his wages,”, said counsel for plaintiff. \ At this stage Richmond was recalled by the Bench and stated that Mrs. Godfrey had nothing to do with the horses. ' The then dismissed. A DEALER’S FAILURE. MEETING OF CREDITORS. A meeting of creditors in the bankrupt estate of Lancelot Goodger, stock dealer, of Hawera, was held before tlr: Deputy-Official Assignee (Mr. R, S. Sage) at Hawera to-day. The following creditors were either present or represented at the meeting: Messrs. R. T. Bullock, F. A. Evans, J. W. Lash, J. I*. Gillanders, attorney for F. Gillanders, and bankrupt, who was represented bj Mr. L. A. Taylor. Bankrupt’s financial statement reveal ed his deficiency as being £275, representing unsecured debts. There were no secured debts, and bankrupt possessed no assets in real dr personal property. The list of unsecured creditors wan as follows: F. Gillanders, £B2 6s 6d; IJ. W. Lash, blacksmith, £32 Is; R. T Bullock, merchant* £l4 16s 8d; W. J. Bright, dentist, £l5 12s 6d; Dr. W. M. Thomson, £37; A. J. Corrigan, £26 15s; J. R. Corrigan, £54; J. J. Cahill, carrier, £6 7s 6d; ,H. B. Clothing Co., £3 7s 6d.

In his written statement bankrupt stated: “I have been in Hawera for the past nineteen years. The property on which my people and I live wai bought by Mrs. Goodger just after wc arrived here, and has remained her property ever shies. I have never owned any property save a small area of leasehold which was taken from me about three years ago, when the slump came on us. I have been dealing in stock for ail the time I have Been in Hawera and I did well until the slump came. I obtained help from the Farmers’ Coop., with which to stock up a place of 500 acres at Waverley, of which I had the grazing, and when I cams to muster the stock they were 273 short. The Farmers’ Co-op. realised twelve months’ ago on all the assets over which it had ieecuriiy. I admit that up to eighteen months ago I raced four horses, but since then I have not engaged in betting; I have used a motor-car for the past four years, but it was bought by iny .wife four years ggo .with her own inoney. The Farmers’ Cd bp. exaniined

the position, but my wife’s ownership of the ear was not disturbed. As to the furniture in' my house, we have not very much, and of' this a good deal has been contributed by my wife. I ani .doing odd jobs and am incapable of hard work.” “1 am satisfied I can get on my feel and get going and pay all these men off,” stated bankrupt when a creditor said that there appeared nothing to du since there was absolutely nothing in the estate. On the motion of Mr. Evans it was decided that the estate be wound up and every facility offered for bankrupt’s discharge. The meeting then adjourned sine die. GENERAL ITEMS. To-day over 500 children arrived in Hawera on the special excursion train from Waitara and intermediate stations. The reception committee (Mrs. B. C. Bennett and Mr. T. Gormley) and Mr. J. R. Corrigan again eared for the childten’s welfare in a very efficient manner, and an enjoyable day was spent by the many visiting children. PERSONAL ITEM. Ijlr. J. B. Jfimlpcli lc/l for Wellington by l the exqireis tb>s‘niornhig,