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Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19604, 17 June 1935, Page 8

“Harsh and Unconscionable Bargain* .—-That the legislature had made no provision as yet for what he termed “ harsh and unconscionable bargains ” was the comment of the Magistrate, Mr W. H. Freeman, in adjourning the case of a judgement summons in the Gore Magistrate’s Court the other day (says, a .correspondent of an Invercargill paper). The facts disclosed showed that the judgment debtor purchased a motor-cycle from an- Invercargill firm for £72. He had paid down about £3O and later £7 In instalments. He had later lost his employment. and the firm had taken the machine hack and sued for the balance of (he money owing. The judgment stated that he had the machine only about seven weeks. The Magistrate said the case was one for. which legislature had made no provision as yet for what he termed “ harsh and unconscionable bargains.” The judgment debtor had evidently signed a hire-purchase agreement, which made him liable for the full cost of the motor bicycle, but in addition to receiving a substantial cash payment and instalments the firm had received the machine hack and had probably since re-sold ii, and was still claiming the balance owing by the judgment debtor. “ There are firms apparently still prepared lo do this sort of thing,’’ commented the Magistrate, who then adjourned the ease for a month to see if the firm was prepared to make some concession to the judgment debtor.