The Blackmore Case

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 92, 17 January 1885, Page 2

The Blackmore Case

The following is the substance of the letter from Mr Hankins in reply to one from the Town Clerk of the Bth instant with reference to the legal charges of the Former in the action of Blackmore v the Borough Council, and which was read at the Council meeting last evening : — Mr Hankins said he had charged the amount allowed by the court as counsel's fee, £10 10s, which would be refunded it Mr Blackmore paid the costs as ordered. The other charges were as between solicitor and client, and if Mr Blackmore had paid costs as ordered the total claim of Mr Hankins against the Council would have been £7 6s. His charges could only be thought excessive as they included : items which Mi Blackmore ought to pay. Mr Hill was asked to write again if the explanation given was not satisfactory to the Council. The following letter, dated January 13, to the Mayor and Council, from Mr Hankins re the application to stay proceedings was also read: — His Honor Mr District Judge Rawson made an order directing the plaintiff in this action to pay into court the sum of £25 as security for the costs of the action now pending, or to find two sureties to join him in the execution of a bond for £50. The judge refused to allow any order in respect of costs of the nonsuit or of the application. While refusing to make the time within which the money should be paid any part of the order, he intimated to the plaintiff's counsel that unless we were given 14 days between the date of payment and the date of hearing he would refuse to hear the case. I think the Council will be perfectly justified in instructing me to issue a judgment summons against Blackmore for the costs of the nonsuit, to be heard on the 28th , instant. Shall Idoso P I hare served a copy of the order on the agent of the plaintiff's solicitor here, so that the whole question of costs in this matter may be before the Council at one time. I have enclosed costs of this application herewith, amounting to the sum of £12 3s Bd. P.S.— I forward for your perusal my agent's telegram in answer to my enquiry why the judge had not allowed the costs of this action against Blackmore: "Judge did not make any order for costs, and seemed very reluotant to stay proceedings at all.- -Alexandeb Samuel." The following letter from Mr Hankins was also read : writing you to-day I have re r ceived a communication trom. the plain-, tiff's solicitor, proposing Messrs Cottrell and Newman; of Feilding, as sureties for Blackmore. Kindly let me know whether you think these gentlemen substantial; if not I will call upon them to justify bj affidavit.