MASTERTON NOTES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1042, 3 February 1911, Page 8

MASTERTON NOTES.

SHEARING CASE IN COURT. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Mastertori, February 2. . In the Magistrate's Court at Masterton this morning, before Miv.L. G. E«id, S.M., a cas3 was heard in which .Mr. A. "VV. Cave, of Masterton, claimed from Mr. Robert Hannah, of Wellington, a sum of J29 Is. Btl., for alleged breach of agreement to take a lease of premises in Queen Street, Mastcrton, belonging to the plaintiff. Mr. Jordan (representing Gawith and Logan) appeared for tho plaintiff, and Mr. W: : H. D.Bell, of' Welling-, ton, for the defendant. It appeared from the evidence that the negotiations for tho lease were broken off in consequence of ■tho existing lessee; of the ■ building requiring a sum of ,£llo.for his goodwill. The plaintiff was nonsuited with costs. A case of considerable interest to shespowners was heard in the Magistrate s Court to-day, when a shearer named Stewart claimed from Charles A. Cameron, owner of Flat Point Station, a sum of money for wages alleged -to be due for shearing. Tho evidence showed that ijtewart was engaged at Flat Point,, and after the shearing was commenced, he was appointed to represent the shearers in any dispute which might arise. One morning Stowart alleged that the sheep wero wet, and after taking a vote of the men, it was decided not to' shear. Cameron, tho. owner of tho station,' protested that the sheep ■ were not wet, and that the shearers wsro going too far. Stewart used what was regarded as insulting,language to Cameron, stating that he would deal only with Cameron's manager, Cox, whereupon Stewart was dismissed. Eyidonco of adjoining station-holders was to the effect that the sheep were fit for shearing on' the day. in question, and that their shearing was not interrupted. Cameron and his manager also maintained that the sheep were fit for shearing. Plaintiff claimed that he was entitled to shear until the shed was cut out," and claimed damages- for dismissal, and a proportion of the wages for the sheep which he should have shorn. The magistrate 'held that the dismissal of Stewart was justified, and nonsuited plaintiff, with costs.

Tho Park Fete, held this afternoon and evening, was highly successful, about .£l2O being taken at tho gates. Several thousand people to-night witnessed tho .picture show, firework?, and other attractions. ■ Jlr. William Sellar, the census enumerator for this district, has already arranged for sub-enumerators for tho collection of census statistics and agricultural statistics. It is understood that Mr. James Coradine intends offering himself for re-olec-tion to the Mayoralty of Mastertqn, and that most of the sitting council will seek re-election. There will, however, Bo vacancies on tho council owing to the 'retirement of Messrs. K. Eigg and J. H. Pauling. The rabbit nuisance, of which there has been a distinct recrudescence on account of the dry. season, is being energetically dealt with* by settlers. Systematic poisoning with pollard has .been indulged in, and it is hoped that the result will be a visible diminution in.the.pest.