MAGISTERIAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2218, 27 April 1880, Page 2

MAGISTERIAL.

TIMARU—THIS DAY. (Before E. Beetham Esq., R.M.) CIVIL CASES. Baird v. Orton—Claim, £25. In this ease his Worship had reserved judgment from the last Court day, he now gave judgment for plaintiff with costs. Mr Hamersley gave notice of appeal on the question of the legality of the stamping of the document. In the following cases judgment was given for the plaintiff by default with costs : Ross v. Thomas, £G 3s Gd (judgment for £5 3s Gd) ; Cork v. Barrett, 12s ; Stringer v. Millard, £1 10s ; Turnbull v. Thomson, £8 9s 5d ; Busby v. Brown, £6 3s Gd ; Muller v. Evans, £1 ; Turnbull v. Evans, £lB 3s 8d ; Hobbs v. Connell, £3 3s ; Richardson v. Forgan, £sl 5s 7d. Grubb v. Bruce—Claim, £BB Is 4d. MrTosswill for the plaintiff ; Mr Reid for the defendant. This was a claim for wages, certain advances said to have been made to ship’s crew, and one month’s salary in lieu of dismissal. The brief facts of the case were that the plaintiff was, according to his own version, engaged by the defendant as master of the brigantine Nightingale, at a salary of £IG per month ; lie was suddenly discharged and bad lost money while waiting for a settlement of bis account with Mr Bruce, this interfering with his obtaining another engagement. No reason was assigned for

the dismissal. He had agreed to let plaintiff take his wife with him to live on board, but lie afterwards complained of the vessel being turned into a “ boarding house,” Plaintiff’s wife, two children, arid a maid servant were on board with him. He had made several disbursements for the defendant while master of the vessel, and these formed a portion of the amount ho sought to recover. John Alton, clerk to defendant, stated that he went on board the Nightingale and ascertained that the men had received goods but no money. Captain Grubb refused to pay for his wife’s keep on board, or to take £3O 19s 4d, the amount duo, when objectionable items were deducted. James Bruce said he engaged plaintiff as Master of the Nightingale, and dismissed him subsequently for buying stores contrary to orders, instead of allowing witness to furnish supplies. Plaintiff furnished no vouchers in support of his claim. Directed him to make the ship his home and never to leave it by night or da}'. The Bench—-That was equivlcnt to imprisonment for life with hard labor. (Laughter.) Case adjourned until to-morrow at 10 a.m.