An Important Judgment.

Manawatu Herald, 31 January 1895, Page 3

An Important Judgment.

Yesterday's Standard says : — Mr W. L. Stanford, S.M., has delivered judgment in an application of J. C. Smith under *• The Contractors and Workmen's Lien Act, 1892," to be allowed to register a lien against monies now in the possession of J. H. Burmeister. His Worship said the application was one made by J. C. Smith for a charge for wages (£8 ISs) earned from William Cranfeldt. Notice was served on J. H. Burmeister on January 21st, 1895, requiring him to pay to claimant monies in I his hands due by him to Cranfeldt. It appeared that attachment orders were obtained by James Pinkerton on January 17th and J. A. Anderson on January 19th for the sums of £3 8s ld and £12 6s 7d respectively, ra both cases for storekeepers' accounts. for which judgment had been obtain•& He wa. now asked to gran.

a charge for wor town's wagu flue, the same to take precedence of sr the two attachment ordera referred to, which have already been granted. •• The Workmen's Wages Act, 1898," seotion 27, declares that the Act shall be read with and be subject tc «« The Contractors and Workmen's Lien Act, 1892," under which iattei Act the application is made. By 4 «f «« The Workmen's section <s «*. - •• . made Wages Act, 1893," wages aio -_ a first and paramount charge on all money due contractor by the employer. Reading the two Acts together, he thought that a charge for wages must take precedence of those orders of attachment obtained for payment of goods purchased. The lien applied for would be granted to take precedence of prior orders of attachment. Mr Moore appeared for plaintiff, and Mr Innes for defendant.