AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1330, 1 September 1886, Page 3

AN IMPORTANT DECISION.

Wellington, August 31. The Supreme Con't baa been occupied for fire days in hearing the case Wellington Meat Export Company v Master of these. Coptic and the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company. Plaintiffs sot forth that in December, 1884, they shipped by the Coptic, of which the defendants were charterers, 6688 carcases of mutton, in good order and condition, for Loudon, paying £3107 as freight; that dming the voyage, through the neglect of defendants and the faulty condition of the vessel’s after freezing ohsmber and deficient insolation and fretz ng power, the carcases were injured and the vaiue depreciated to the extent of 2d per Ifc on 381.490.b5, resulting in a less to the Company of £3179, which they new sotlght to recover, together with interest thereon. The jury, after six hours’ deliberation, returned a verdict that they were nnable to agree as ti the fitness of the appliances, but agreed that 11 damage was done on board, and that it was done by the negligence of those In charge.” His Honor held that on that verdict the bill of lading protected the defendants, and he entered a judgment for defendants rccordingly, granting costa on the higher scale, also costa of the commissions at Home and in the colony.