CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 569, 28 June 1933, Page 5

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES

(Press Assn.-

UNEMPLOYMENT BRD. MEMBER SUES GOVERNMENT FOR DISMISSAL RETJNOTTTSHED GOOD PnSTTTnN

— By Telegraph — Copyright) .

Auckland, Tuesday. A sequel to the reeonstruction of ithe Unemployment Board in 1931 was heard in the Suprenle Court before Mr. Justice Reed to-day when a foriher meriiber of the board, Gedrge Finn, company manager, of Auckland, wh'o was not included in the new pefsonnel bf the board, sought to recover damages from the Crbwn for alleged wrongful dismissal. Iri his petition the suppliant said that he had been appointed by tiie Governor-General to be a Governihent representative ori the board for two years, as from November 20, 1930. In order to perforrii these duties he had resigned his position as manager of the N.Z. "C'attlecake and Oil Company, Ltd., and as from July 31, i931, ceased to receive the salary of £800 attaching to the position. From November 20; 1930, to and including July 31, 1931, said suppliant, h'e held offifee as a member bf the Unemployment Board and from the latter date, he alleged he was wrongfully dismissed from office. From th'at time onwards he had been unemployed with the exception of pdrt time employment in an advisory cripacity to his former company and dl a' salary of £200 per annum. He .had held this p'art-time position until June 30, 1932. While a member bf1 tlie hoa'rd, his remuneration as a ri^emh'er ' aild excliisive of ti'avelling expenses, had been £332 12s 10d. He therefore claimed a sum of £391 13s 4d as dariiagfes suffered through' his alleged wrongful dismissal. The CroWri in reply contended that although thei' appbintrrient was made, the office was abolished and in any ©vent, the suppliant had held office at the pleasure of the Crown and Wais dismissable at.will. It Was' conterided further th'at his remuneration was at the discretibri bf the Minist'er of Finance. The case is urifinished.