Claim for Damages.

Manawatu Herald, 8 March 1904, Page 3

Claim for Damages.

The case of J. J. Oorry v. Cloueton & Co., claim £3OOO for wrongful dismissal from the position of manager of the firm’s produce department, was continued in the Blenheim Supreme Court on Satur day. A number of Wellington merchants gave evidence for the defence, including Mr Charles Johnston, of Johnston & Co., and also of Clouston & Co. At a late hour at night the jury returned with a finding that neither the plaintiff’s action in purchasing a parcel of chaff contrary to instructions from the director!} at Wellington to cease buying, nor his conduct on the King’s Birthday. at Havelock, where he was arrested and fined for drunkenness and disorderly conduct, justified the dismissal. They fixed damages at £876. The case dealt largely with ethics of attracting business by means of “ shouting.” The directors of the defendant company denied that such practic ' had their approval. The Chief Justice reserved for further consideration a point raised by Mr Bell for the defendant company that the question should not have gone to the jury, and reserved full power for the Court to enter a verdict for defendant if the matter was found to be wholly one of law.