ARREARS ON MOTOR-CYCLE

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1931, Page 8

ARREARS ON MOTOR-CYCLE

DEFENCE OF INFANCY PLEADED.

POINT OF LAW AT ELTHAM.

The point that transactions with infants were void by law was raised in the Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when I. J. Bridger (Mr. A. H. Foy) claimed £9 6s. from W. Corrigan (Mr. N. H. Moss). The sum was due for a motor-cycle under a hire-purchase agreement, and for goods supplied. Bridger said that in March he sold Corrigan a motor-cycle for £3O on a hire-purchase agreement. A deposit was paid and further payments were to be made each 'month. Before the deal was completed, Bridger said, he had asked Corrigan lais age, and the latter replied that he was 22. He had said he had a share-milking contract with Mr. Martin, Rawhitiroa Road. On that understanding Bridger let Corrigan take the machine, but when , arrears accrued he wrote to him, and subsequently the machine was returned. .

Mr. Moss: “Corrigan instructs me that he has had a lot of trouble with the cycle. Did he complain to you?”—No, People who will not pay for things usually complain about them.”. “You knew the risks of dealing with infants ?”—Yes. That is why I asked his age.” “You could have made inquiries?”— “I did. I asked Corrigan himself, and he said he was 22 years of age. I accepted that. I don’t expect everyone to produce his birth certificate.” Counsel moved for a non-suit on the ground that defendant was under 21, and all contracts with infants, except for necessaries, were void.

Mr. Foy contended that Corrigan’s representation that he was 22 constituted a fraud, and he could not take advantage of his own fraud. Mr. Moss submitted that even fraudulency did not give the right to recover in a transaction with infants which were absolutely void by law'. The magistrate, Mr. R. W. Tate, reserved his decision.

MANGATOKI RED CROSS DANCE.

■Several pounds will be added to the earthquake relief fund as a result of a dance held by. . the Mangatoki Red Cross Society on Monday. There was a good attendance, and a merry time was spent dancing to .music by Wills’ Orchestra. Messrs. L. Astbpry and McGuinnes were masters of ceremonies. Extras were played by Mr. Wilson, and a solo with banjo accompaniment was contributed by Mr. Spencer Anderson. Novelty dances, for which prizes were donated by Messrs. A. A. Hammond, L. A. Bluett and J. Gavigan, were won by Miss Foster and Mr. Colson (Monte Carlo), Miss Mellow and Mr. Crozier .(spot dance) and Miss H. Schicker and Mr. C. Mickelson. i

The hall committee granted the use of the hall without charge, and the- ladies of the district provided the supper. The secretaries, Misses N. Perry and J. Nicholas, successfully arranged the function, assisted by a committee, of young ladies.

REFUGEES IN SRATFORD. JARRIVAL LAST NIGHT. A total of 104 adults and children evacuated from the area devastated by the earthquake arrived in Stratford by the mail train last night. Wth an unobtrusive efficiency that denoted perfect organisation they were conducted from the station to the municipal buildings outside which were parked cars belonging to members of the Stratford branch of the S.T.A.A. and other residents of the borough. In a vei, short time they were on f air way to the residences of those who are billetting them. ' 1 BOWLING MATCH POSTPONED. The divisional singles bowling championship, which was to have been played on the Avon green to-morrow has been postponed until to-morrow week. ELTHAM THEATRE PROGRAMME. “MURDER ON THE ROOF.” “Murder on- the Roof,” showing at Eltham to-night, is a story centred about a fashionable night club situated at the top of a skyscraper in New York. Beautiful women, beautiful clothes, and flashing jewellery combine to make the picture so realistic that you cannot but feel that you are actually in the heart of gay New York. Hatton appears-as a drunken reporter frequenting this night club and worrying the proprietor with a murder recently committed. Many amusing situations arise out of Hatton’s supposed intoxication and he actually keeps you guessing to the end as to how much he really knew about the murder.