RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8935, 18 November 1890, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

-, TJECIS DAY. Tuesday, November 18.— Before C. C. Kettle, Esq., R.M. DISPUTE ABOUT RATES. R. Stevens v. G. Priest. Mr Standish for plaintiff, defendent appeared in person. Tlie Plaintiff stated he was collector of rates for Inglewood Town Board. G. Priest was rated in book (produced) up to March 31, 1889. The Board claimed 4s 3d, one year's rates. Priest offered the Board £2 a year for the section?, including rates and taxes. The Board sent back saying they would rent the land to Priest for i' 2, excluding rates and taxes which were to also to be paid by him. The Board got no reply from defendant, who took possession of the land. Mr King, former collector for the Board, swore he told Priest about the terms on which the Board offered the sections to him. ior the defence, G. Priest stated that his offer to the Board wa3 to include all rates and taxes in the £2 rant he offered. The day after the meeting the collector, King, told him his offer had been accepted. The Board had received a half year's rent in advance from him two months before he ever got a notice about paying rates. He never agreed to pay rates and taxes, besides £2 rent. The Board had paid the county and harbor rates on the sections. He could swear positively that King did not tell him that he would have to pay the rates.

Defendant also raised the point that the rates were not recoverable, inasmuch as two years' rates were due.

His Worship said that sec 31 of the Rating Act was clear as to this point.

Mr Standish said that the section was fatal, but he had only been apprised of the case that morning just before the Court sat, and he was then not aware that two years' rates were due. The case was then dismissed. The Cocrt rose.