TROTTING CLUB SUED.

Thames Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 20037, 18 June 1937, Page 3

TROTTING CLUB SUED.

CAR OWNER'S CLAIM. THEFT FROM PARKING AREA. VALUE OF A SPAKE WHEEL. [By Telegraph.—Press Association] CHRISTCHURCH, June 13. A claim against the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club for £B/8/(5, the value of a spare wheel and aeces sories stolen from a car parked on its grounds on March 27, was heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr .Reid, S.M. Plaintiff was A. B. Wanty, for whom Mr. M. P. Eales appeared, while Mr. A. W. Smithsou appeared for the Trotting Club. Plaintiff claimed that he parked his car and paid 1/- for a ticket. When he returned to the car in the afternoon he found that a spare wheel and accessories were missing. These, it was claimed, wero "lost by reason of tho negligence, or want of care, or other default of officers of the defendant dub." The amount of the claim included £1 for a lock appliance. The facts were admitted by the defendants, said Mr. Eales, and his case rested on whether or not the payment of 1/- established bailment. He quoted numerous authorities to support his case, including the "fur coat case" brought against the Wellington Club in 1 ( J22. There was only one notice on the ground directing cars to the parking place, said Mr. Eales. There was no notice disclaiming responsibility for loss or damage, nor Avas there any disclaimer on the ticket. When he discovered his loss Mr. Wanty looked for an attendant, but could not find one. When Mr. Wanty told the secretary of his loss the secretary seemed surprised to hear that there were not attendants on duty. This, claimed Mr. Eales, was evidence of neglect. "As the matter is one of considerable interest, I proposed to reserve my decision," said the magistrate.