BREACH OF CONTRACT

Timaru Herald, Volume CV, Issue 16076, 25 September 1916, Page 5

BREACH OF CONTRACT

<♦ ANOTHER COTTON THREAD CASE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Sept. 22. A case somewhat similar to one already heard in connection with a military contract was head before Mr L. G. Reid, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when H. G. Bedell, clothing manufacturer, was charged that 011 July 10th, 1916, at "Wellington, he did wilfully break a contract made by him with the Crown on January 10th, 1916, for the purposes of the present war, to wit, a contract for the supply of military garments by delivering to the Crown in pursuance of that • contract certain goods which were nob f in accordance with the terms thereof, contrary to regulation 12 of the War Regulations dated November loth, 11915, made pursuant to the War Regulations Act, 1914. Mr T. Young appeared for the defendant, and Mr P. S. K. Macassey on behalf of the Crown. Mr Young said the defendant would plead guilty to the facts as would be outlined by Mr Macassey. Mr Macassey said the facts were that Bedell made a contract with the Cs'own on January' 10th, 1916, to supply 150 tunic garments per week. TJp till July 19th he had supplied 2720 tunics, and it was discovered that he was using cotton, and his contract was cancelled, The contract, added Mr Macassey, was a very small one, and defendant's case was quite a different one in almost every respect from Levy's case. At the commencement of his" contract Bedell used linen thread of the quality specified. Subsequently he used the very best cotton thread obtainable, and he procured it to match the khaki colour. He {counsel) believed that although Bedell knowingly broke his contract, he actuated by no desire to make a profit for himself or to cause a loss to the Department. A severe penalty was not asked for. Tho Magistrate said that taking all the circumstances into consideration, he. would be lenient, and inflict a fine of £lO and costs (7s).