DAMAGES CLAIMED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1933, Page 2

DAMAGES CLAIMED

ALLEGED WRONGFUL DISMISSAL

FROM- UNEMPLOYMENT. BOARD

(Per Press Association — Copy rig kb.)

.AUCKLAND, June 27

A sequel to t-he. (reconstitution of the Unemployment .Board in 1931 was heard in the Supreme Court before Mr Justice Reed,\ when a former member of the Board,'. George Finn, company manager of Auckland, who was not included in the* new personnel of 'the. Board, sought to recover damages from the Crown for his alleged dismissal.

, In a petition, the suppliant said that he was appointed by the GovernorGeneral to be the Government representative on the Unemployment Board for two years from November 20, 1930. In order to perform these duties, he had resigned a s manager of the New Zealand CatGecake and Oil Coy., Ltd., and, as from July 31, 1931, he had ceased to receive his salary of £BOO attaching to the lattc'r position. From November 20, 1930, t 0 and including July 31, 1931,- ® a,i d the suppliant, he held office a s a member of the Unemloyment Board, but as from the latter date, he alleged he wag wrongs fully dismissed from this office. From that time to the present, hehad been unemployed, except for a part-time position in an advisory capacity to the. New Zealand Cattlecake and Oil Company at an annual salary of £2OO, which position he held to June 30, 1932. While on the Unemployment Board, his remuneration as a member and exclusive of travelling allowance was £332 12s 10d. Be therefore claimed to recover £391 13s Ad by way of damages for alleged wrongful dismissal. The contention of Jhe Crown was that, .although the .appointment bad been -made the office was abolished, and, that, in any event, the suppliant held office ?t the pleasure of the Crown, and was dismissablc at will. It was contended, further that the suppliant’s remuneration a s a member of the Board was entirely within the discretion ot the Minister of Finance. The hearing is unfinished.