WARDEN'S COURT.

Grey River Argus, Volume V, Issue 361, 7 May 1868, Page 2

WARDEN'S COURT.

(Before Mr Keogh, Warden.) The Warden's Court presented a busy scene yesterday, from the number of miners who were either interested in the business of the Court, or came to hear the case of Campbell v. Matt. Every time, this Court sits shows the urgency of some alteration, being made. It is almost im-. possible for the business to be transacted properly in a cramped up little tent. 4 Court House ought immediately to bes erected, not of calico, but substantially built of timber, This must be attended, to at once, and it would be advisable that it should not be less than 24ft. by 12ft., which would not be found too large for the number of miners who regularly attend this Court every Monday, CAMPBELL V. MATT. This was substantially the same casQ that was tried before this. Court a fort-, night since, when Matt summoned Wilson, and Co. to show cause why h§ was not permitted to resume possession of hi* share in the race, having himself been uh capacitated from working since January 18, and obliged to go to the Hospital. Judgment was then given for Matt, oa paying £13 10s compensation. Mr Guinness appeared for Campbell and Co., and applied for a re-hearing of the case, on the ground that there waa additional evidence to be brought forward: which, had not been produced on the; former occasion. The Warden granted the request.. Messrs James, Gregg, Englert, and. Smith were then sworn as assessors, and 1 Camellato as interpreter,, James Campbell, plaintiff* recollected entering into an agreement with seven others to construct a race to the beach,. Matt was one of the party. They went to work on January 7th, and on the 18th Matt left off work and did not return until April 14. Had heard. that Matt had got protection from the Warden during his absence. They wanted Matt to pay compensation to them. James Wilson, a shareholder, said tha% he heard Matt say before he went to the Hospital that he did not want any man to work for him for notliing, but when hecame back he said he would not pay a, shilling if he had a thousand pounds. John Langton, Daniel Fitzgerald, and Patrick Burke gave similar evidence. Constantine Matt said he was a share* holder in Campbell's party. When he came out of the Hospital, he went up to. to the claim, and was told he had no business there. That a decision of the Court had been given against him for £13 10s, which he had paid and produced a receipt for the money, signed by Duncan, and Discaciati, who came to him and said they were deputed by the others to» receive the money, as they wanted it to, buy some nails. He paid them the money,, and got the receipt. ' John Discaciati said he bought a ninth share in this company about two months; since, and was then informed that there was no rules. Campbell and the rest were present, with the exception of Langton, when they agreed to accept thft money from Matt. He and Duncan were deputed'to receive the money ; part of it had been expended in buying nails for the company. He signed the receipt George Duncan and John Waters cot-l roborated Discaciati's evidence. Mr Guinness made an able address to the assessors, pointing out the merits of the case. That they would have to> determine what amount of compensation his clients were entitled to by Matt not being able to work on account of illness, They did not attempt to deny that he had been ill, but asked that a reasonable sum, should be given on account of the work: which they had performed during the* three months Matt had been absent. At the time he went away the race was not worth anything — now it was of con* siderable value. He trusted the assessor* would award a fair compensation. Judgment — Case dismissed, on Matt'a paying £13 10s into Court, being th* same as the former verdict,