LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1422, 24 April 1912, Page 3

LAW REPORTS.

MARCONI CASEINROAD ON PATENT ALLEGED. CAN CROW.X BE SUED? Whether or not a private company can proceed against the New Zealand Government for alleged infringement of wireless rights was a question argued before the Court of Appeal yesterday. The Court constituted comprised tiie Chief Justice (Sir ifobert tflout), Mr. Justice Williams, •Mr. .Justice Denuislou, Mr. Juslico Edwards, and Mr. Justice Chapman. Early in Ihe present year the Marconi \\ ireless Telegraph Co., Ltd., commenced proceedings by petition of right in the Supremo Court, asking for relief against the Crown in connection with certain alleged breaches of patent, wireless rights. J'ho alleged breaches referred to in the petition are in connection with tho contract made by the Government of New Zealand with certain persons for the construction and installation of a system of wireless telegraphy, machinery, and apparatus in the Dominion, and also in connection with the system alreadv installed and in nso at tho General I'ost Office, Wellington. During preliminary proceedings it was. agreed that before the case came up for hearing certain law points should be decided. The questions of law referred to and subsequently removed into the Court of_ Appeal for argument were:— Whether the petition discloses any cause of action against liis Majesty? Whether the Court lias any jurisdiction to grant as against liis Majesty the relief claimed in the petition? When the case was called yesterday the Solicitor-General (Mr. ,T. W. Salmond) appeared for the Crown, and Mr. H. T). Bell, K.C., with Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. A. R. Meek, appeared for the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Co., Ltd. Argument was not concluded until 4 p.m., when the Court reserved decision, and adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-day.