“I CHALLENGE YOU---”

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1928, Page 4

“I CHALLENGE YOU---”

DR THACKER IN COURT. REPAIRS TO MOTOR-CAR. CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 26. “ I defy you to say that to me out of Court —I will bring a libel action against you, and get Mr Sim to act for me,” said Dr. 11. T. J. Thacker in answer to an assertion by Mr A. B. Hobbs in the Civil Court yesterday. The ease was one in which Tench Bros., garage proprietors, proceeded against Dr. r Jbacker lor £bJ 15s sd. said to be owing tor repairs done to defendant’s car bv plaintiffs. The ease was adjourned from Tuesdav. Mr A. B. Ilobbs represented Tench Bros, and Mr W. J. Sim Dr Thacker.

A counter-claim lor .210, the value of tools said to have been lost while in the garage, was made by Dr. Thacker.

In evidence, Dr 1 hacker said lie arranged, prior to bis trip to England in 1925, for Tench Bros, to take over bis ear for £SOO. When lie arrived in England lie was to buy a new Talbot car. for which Tench Bros, were agents, and the £SOO was to be 1 emitted from the juice of the new ear. When he arrived in England be found the- Talbot linn bad merged into another firm, and the specified 'lalbot car was not available. He bought another ear, and cabled bis Christchurch agent to collect the £SOO from Tench Bros., less expenses. Tench Bros, claimed expenses for repairs done to the ear, and this eventually led to tile Court action. Mr Sim: Why do you object to paying these charges in May? Dr Thacker: Because I saw the account for the rejlair* lor the first time when I returned.

What authority did they have to make the repairs “ —None whatever! Furthermore, I considered mv car was their’s after April 25th. I)r. Thacker said he visited the Talbot. factory several times while he was in London. Mr Hobbs: You swear that. Dr Tluieker: Yes. Mr Hobbs: How do you account for these letters from the Talbot firm, which are entirely at variance with your statement? Dr Thacker: My memory is so good that anything I say now is correct. Mr Hobbs: You’ve been in Court a great deal since your return ?—Yes, I’ve been in them all my lile. Mr Hobbs: Ever bad your evidence commented upon?—Yes! But never in such a way as to enable 111 c to make a libel action out ol it. You always louud Touch Bros, a reliable firm —Yes. 1 thought them the soul of honour. Mr Hobbs: And when you found you couldn’t take them down, you changed your mind! All- Sim: How dare Mr Hobbs make such a remark— Mr Hobbs: I’ll go further and bo rather more definite. I’ll say that you, Dr. Thacker, entered into this agreement with Touch Bros., never intending to buy a Talbot ear in England! Dr Tluieker: Tlmt’s libellous. II you said such a thing to me outside ibis Court I’d have a ease against you. 1 would have Air Sim act for me. Mr Sim: It would be. too easy. Doctor. |)r Thacker : I defy you or Mr Touch to say that to me outside this room, i Mr Ilobbs—L challenge you.

■ Mr Ilobbs: 1 can’t, run fast enough! i Dr Thacker: You can't run. Tliei: you'd have to pay. After lengthy evidence Imd beei taken, the Magistrate, Mr H. A ! Young, gave his decision. I “It is very surprising to me that ' such ail agreement, with such a large amount concerned should be enterec I into verbally,” said Mr Voting. I Judgment was given for Tench Bros ! for £2. in Addit ion to £29 5s jiaid intc | Court, on the claim, and also on tin ! counter-claim. No costs were allowed