FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13666, 7 August 1908, Page 6

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

IMPORTANT COURT CASE. I'cr Press Association. DUNEDIN, August 6. At the Magistrate's Court, this morning, Mr Widdowson, S.M., gave judgment in u case of some importance to those interested in Friendly Societies. , William Winton proceeded' against William Crawford (on behalf of the Antidote Division, No. 118, of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance), claiming £lO as due to him by that Society. Plaintiff was a member of the Antid'ote Division of the Sons and' Daughters of Temperance; lie married, about eight years ago, his wife being then over forty years of age. He gave the notice required for having the marriage registered, but the secretary wrote declining to register his wife on the ground that she was over age. Plaintiff; pointed out that she was his first wife and that the age limit for -a member's wife did not apply to first wives, but on!" to second wives. . Plaintiff's wife died in February, and" he made application to the Division for 'the payment of £lO funeral benefit on her behalf. The Division refused! payment; and plaintiff .took proceedings. The Magistrate over-ruled the objections raisfed as to his' jurisdiction. r He held that plaintiff was entitled U> recover on the ground .that he had done everything that the. rales of the Society required; that the rules as to the age of members' wires did not apply to first wives; that it was the duty of the secretary to enter the name, and all particulars in the books of the Society. Judgment was given for the amount claimed and costs (£1 165.)