MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16547, 23 September 1919, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

TO-DAY’S SITTING. QUESTION OF LEGAL COSTS. (Before Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M.) This morning an action involving a question of legal costs was brought by Fitzherbert and Fitzherbert, solicitors, against Heni Watene, a Native woman, the sum claimed being £39 9s 6d. Mr. F. E. Wilson, who appeared for plaintiff, said the claim was for services rendered and monies paid. Of the amount claimed £ll 15s 8d had been paid in. At the request of plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. C. R. Stead, who represented defendant detailed the items which were disputed and said the question was whether the services were rendered in accordance with the authority of the client. Patrick Buckley Fitzherbert, a member of the plaintiff firm, deposed that he had rendered the services and paid the fees set out in the statement of claim, with the exception of one item which he had been under the impression he had paid, but found he had not, though he was liable to pay it. In the case for the plaintiff evidence was given hy Joe Taylor, husband of the defendant, and G. V. Tate, farmer, residing near Waitara. The latter held a mortgage over defendant’s property, negotiations in connection with which were part of the services rendered by plaintiffs. His Worship said that, taking the whole circumstances into consideration, ho thought judgment should go to plaintiffs. Ho gave his decision accordingly for the sum of £39 and costs.