"TEN COMMANDMENTS."

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2984, 23 January 1917, Page 3

"TEN COMMANDMENTS."

'A CURIOUS PARTNERSHIP DEED. A curious deed of partnership was mentioned in a recent case that came before Mr. Justice Neville in the Chancery Division, London. Mr. Ward Coldridge, K.C., said the partnership artioles were in tho form of a letter, which started as follows: — "Dear sirs,—We think tho following ten commandments will be all that is necessary for us to work together on, and as the work proceeds, yiero must be give and take on both sides." Amongst the ten commandments were: i. Thou shalt be paid a salary of £5 a week once a week every week. 5. Thou shalt receive one-third of the profit; wo shall receive two-thirds. 6. Thou shalt not mop it up all at once, l'eradventure there may bo a loss on some operations, and a- bit must be. left to meet it. 8. Thou shalt continue,to go on with this cottage building in divers places until we mutually agree to abandon it. 9. Thou shalt apply yourself to this business with all your strength, health, and,,oncrgios. Air. Justice Neville: That is a sad breakdown, "Thou shalt apply yourself." Mr. Ward Coldridgo said the letter concluded by saying, "No doubt a lawyer could drive a coach and horses through every term of tho agreement, but wo will not need -the intervention of lawyers." Mr. Justice Neville: Hope springs eternal in the human breast, especially at tho outset of operations. Mr. Ward Coldridge said the ten commandments were accepted as articles of partnership, but now disputes had arisen between the parties. I