DANCING MASTERS AT VARIANCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17756, 28 January 1926, Page 8

DANCING MASTERS AT VARIANCE.

FURNESS JAMES SUES D. BURNSIDE.

The story of an argument between city dancing masters was told at the Magistrate's Court this afternoon, when Norman M'Leod, otherwise known as Furness James, teacher of dancing, Christchurch, claimed from Douglas Burnside and Sidney Burnside, teachers of dancing. Christchurch, the sum of £lO 10s, being the balance due for dancing lessons given by plaintiff to the defendants during 1923. Mr H. Y. Widdowson was on the Bench. Mr Loughnan appeared for the. plaintiff and Mr Thomas for the defendants. The plaintiff said he saw the defendant Douglas Burnside at the Returned Soldiers’ dances, where the defendant was door-keeper, and it was arranged that the plaintiff should teach the defendant’s son to dance, the fee being £2 2s for five lessons. Douglas Burnside held himself responsible for the fees. The lessons had been given. Mr Thomas: Did you not give a small concession to the Burnsides?—l might have given a little because they were going to get pupils for me. Was there ever any discussion about you giving whisky to Burnside, junr. ? No; the only whisky in the place was that brought by Burnside, senr. Were you not paid by Burnside, junr., before you left for England? He gave me a guinea, but that was only a deposit. If this money was owing why did you not collect before you left for England? —I don't know. Now, weren't you hard up just before you went away?—No. Were all your bills paid?—l think so. Did you not borrow money from Mrs Exton?—No. Did she not get judgment against you in this Court?—Yes. So you told a deliberate lie?—Yes.