RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1120, 29 February 1872, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Thursday, February 22. 1 (Before C. Whitefoord, Esq., R.M., ; and G. Browne; Esq^.P.) ' ' Johnsqn v. Stephens,— A claim of LtOO for wages as a packer. The defendant filed a set-off for more than the amount of the plaintiff's claim. The defendant is a storekeeper at Hatter's Terracej -. Nelson Creek, and the plaintiff was a miner at Callaghan Creek. He became indebted to the defendant to the amount of Is)<' and he went to pack for him to work out Ma account. He continued working for 59 weeks. He made over his share in a water-race and claim to the. defendant as a collateral secmlty, and Jine defendant sold the share with the consent of the plaintiff for L3O. The evidence was cohtradictoiy as to the price obtained for the share. I'here was no agreement made as to'what wages jplaintiff- should nave for packing, but evidence was taken on this poiM/and it was settled that L 2 per week y/jtih board, lodg'ng, . and tobaosoj' ** was the usual rate." In the defendant's set-off there, was about L 25 charged for drinks suppHed .to ;the plaintiff, or on his order. The Magistrates struck out these items and remarked that it was monstroui 'that employgrg should allow servants to' fritteE :--ftway their earnings in drinfe in their; own houses. His, Worship, pointed out the absurdity of expecting men to work, or houestlyeaia their wages,if they were to be so freely supplied with' liqupr% fie made a rule not. to allow charges for liquor, when obtained utider these circumstances, and he would strictly adhere to hisdetermination for the future. After a long hearing, tlie accounts between the pai-ties were gone toto? and a balance was struck m favor, of the plaintiff for Lll l3s 3d/ for which amount he obtained iudgment with coste. Mr Guinness ffl the plaintiff, Mr Staite for the defendant