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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 129, 31 May 1879, Page 2

It A cargo of Catrara marble, lost eight years ago at Sea, and recently recovered, was found to be completely honeycombed by some marine boring animal. The following is au extract from the report of the proceedings in the Resident Magistrate's Court in Wellington on Thursday last :— Campbell v. Best.— Claim, £20.— Mr Bell for plaintiff, Mr Cutten for defendant. Mr Bell stated that the plaintiff in this case was a Resident Magistrate at Ashburton, and had owed a man named Cann, resident in Nelson, £4 7s, which amount, with others, was put into defendant's hands to collect. Plaintiff paid defendant and obtained a receipt, but, notwithstanding this, he was sued, and a distress warrant issued against him and served by the bailiff of his own Court, Cann refusing to acknowledge the defendant as his agent. The learned counsel maintained it was a case of peculiar hardship and annoyance to a man in plaintiff's position, as Resident Magistrate, to have such proceedings taken against him, and pleaded that his client was entitled to recover damages against the defendant. Arthur Buliver Campbell, son of the plaintiff, resident in Wellington, said his father upon being sued had instructed him to call upon Mr Best, and ask him whether he had remitted the money to Cann, and after two or three calls, defendant admitted he had not sent the money. This was before the distress warrant was issued. — Defendant said he had a lot of accounts put into his hands to collect for Cann, by Mr Hannah, the baotraaker, and had remitted what he collected, in two amounts to Nelson, and plaintiff's was amongst the number. He had not told last witness he had neglected to remit.— His Worship said that, had he consulted his own feelings, he would have given judgment for the full amount claimed and costs, but he did not suppose Mr Campbell wished to push for substantial damages, so he should give judgment for £6 10s, the debt and costs, and an additional £s.— His Worship said he did not consider the defendant's conduct at all creditable.—Judgment for plaintiff, £11 10s, and costs.