CHRISTCHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7731, 15 June 1903, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH.

Monday. Juxk 15. (Before Mr W. R. Haselden, S.M.) Civil Cases. — In the following cases the defendants did nofc appear, and judgment for the amounts claimed with costs, was given for the plaintiffs by default : — Christchurch. City Council v. Charles E'bert, claim 16s 9d ; W". Strange and Co. (Mr Fles-her) v. A. R. Anderson, £54 18s 6d ; Beath and Co., Limited (Mr Fuller) v. James R. Smith, £4 5s 6d ; Christchurch City Council v. Charles E. Hoddimott, £8 13s Id; C. Palairet and G. Harris, assignees of Drs Ovenden and Palmer (Mr Slater) v. Nicoll Kidd, £1 Is ; same v. James Suckling, £2 12s 6d ; same v. Patrick Creedan, £2 15s 6d ; same v. Hejiry Whitby, £1 Is ; same v. G. T. Owens, £2 2s; same v. W. Pickering, £3 Is 6cl ; same v. 'John Waine, £4 8s 6d ; same v. Miss Barlow, £5 ss ; same v. F. M. Clark, £1 Is ; same v. Alan Young. 7s 6d, same v. Thomas Dunn, £5 7s 6d ; New Zealand I'iano Company, Limited (Mr Franks) v. Gertrwte 'F. Hastings, £23 Is. A Collision Case. — Michael Lane (Mr Hoban) sued James Robinson (Mr Wcston) for the sun* of £34 15s, being for damages incurred 1 by the plaintiff in a collision with, the defendant. The plaintiff, a cab-proprie-tor, stated that on the night of April 8 he was driving >\ cab-load of people from! New Brighton to Christchurch. Opposite Professor Bickerton's he was following close behind another cab, driven by a man named Shanks, and he heard Shanks call out. Immediately afterwards a eart t drawn by one horse, collided with him, the shaft* striking his near horse on the neaP shoulder. The horsa died about a. quarter of an hour afterwards. The defendant had no lights and witness could not see him, for the anoom was obscured by a cloud and they weTe in a. dark place, under some gum-trees. Plaintiff was on his proper side and was occupying not more than half of the road, which wasabout 30ft wide. The value of the horse and the costs ensuing ou the accident amounted to £34 15s. Robert Shanks gave similar evidence. The defendant, an, old age pensioner, seventysix years of age, stated that he was jogging easily home on the night of the collision,when he met Shanks's cab. Shanks was on the wrong sids and witness had to pull across to avoid him. Before he could see where he was the other cab collided' with him. He had no lights. He was perfectly sober and he thought that the accident was Lane's fault as much as 'his. Several witnesses were called for the defence. His Worship, in giving judgment, said that it was very dangerous for a- man to drive without lights. From the evidence he must conclude that the defendant was further over on the wrong side than he should 'have been, and the accident had been caused by his negligence. If the defendant had any property he had no aright to have am old age pension, and if he had none, a judgment against him could not affect his position much. A few deductions had to be made from the claim, and he would give judgment for £28. A Test Cask.— The Chrietchurch City Council (Mr Fisher) sued George H. Merton (Mr Beswick) for the sum of £15 2s 3d, being the amount ■■ of rates payable on a house occupied by him at Christ's College. After the amount of the rate had been proved, Mr Beswick explained that the defence was that the building was exempt from taxation, as being parb of a school. Evidence • was called as to ,the uses of the house. Mr Beswick stated that the schoolroom had been exempted, but the Council claimed rates on the house, which was occupied 'by the master of the Christ's College lower school and used as a boarding-house for boys attending the school. The school and the house were practically under one roof. [ (Left sitting.)