LAW REPORTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2723, 18 March 1916, Page 15

LAW REPORTS

SUPREME COURT

DISPUTE OVER A LAND SALE

In the Supreme Court yesterday tie | Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) commenced the hearing of a case concerning a transaction in some Manawafcu farming laud. The plaintiffs were Samuel Law and Robert Samuel Law, farmers, Palmerston North, and the defendants Frederick Arthur Staples, plumber, Wellington, and George Lambert, of Wellington. Lambert was tlie registered proprietor of the land when the deal was made, and Staples was in possession of it. The land was situate in Tokomaru Valley Road, Shannon, and it comprised 778 acres. Law, who was looking for a- farm for his son, agreed to buy the farm, and a transaction was made. Now the two Laws allege fraud against the defendants in representing (through an agent) that 200 aores of the property were in grass, and that the cleared country would carry twq sheep per acre. Plaintiff alleged that not even 90 acres was in "gross, and that the land would carry much less than two sheep per acre. The plaintiffs prayed:— As against both defendants! (a) That the agreements might be declared rescinded.

(b) For such other relief as the Oourt deemed them entitled to.

As against F. A. Staples: (o) Judgment for the return of £-139* paid on account of purchase money, and v £2oo damages. Alternatively, if rescission could not be decreed:

(d) judgment for £1000 damages. (e) Such other relief' as the Court reckoned them entitled to.

Mr. H. R. Cooper appeared for the plaintiffs, Mr. G. B.' Morison, K.C.. and Mt. Courtenay for Staples, and Mr. T. Neave for Lambert. NAPIER SESSIONS By Telegraph—Press Association. ' i Napier, March 17. At the Supreme Court sessions, Edward John Baker, a cab proprietor, was found not guilty of arson. MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Messrs. I. Salek and R. D. Hanlon, Justices of the Peace, presided at yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court.

Leonard Godfrey Jellie was oharged with the theft of £9 belonging to Wm. Greenhalgh. He was remanded till March 22.