A WELLINGTON CLAIM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 61, 13 March 1914, Page 6

A WELLINGTON CLAIM.

MUSIC AND LODGING. Evidence was heard at the Court this morning in which a claim was made for the value of a gramaphone and a counter-claim made for board and lodging. Mino.tti Frandi, one of the plaintiffs, for whom Mr Stanford appeared, gave evidence that he.was a contractor residing at \yhangamomona. Witness first knew defendant,. when he and she w.ere delivering milk at Kelburne, Wellington. Both witness and she sold out their milk rounds and

witness went, to, board with defei

dant,. Mrs Thomas Hill, in February, 1918. Witness took with him a gramaphone and about ten, records.

He stayed for about eight weeks. When he left he took away all his belongings except the gramaphone and records. He found it inconvenient to shift them and he let Mrs Hill have a lend of them, on her request. About a fortnight after leaving her, witness went along and asked for the return of the gramaphone, but Mrs Hill refused to do so. She did not say why. She also refused a second application for the gramaphone. She said she had lent it, but gave no reason for refusing to return it. In August witness consulted a solicitor, who demanded the reilurn of the goods. Witness valued the gramophone at £4 10s, and the records at £2, his claim therefore being £6 10s. Cross-examined by Mr Spratt: The gramaphone was purchased about four months before he went to Mrs Hill's from aMr Hash. Witness' brother Willie took a half share in the gramaphone. The second demand for the gramaphone from Mrs Hill was about a week after the first demand^ Re-examination: Witness had since heard 'that*Mrs Hill had sold the gramaphone

i- f On the counterclaim, Frandi said lie boarded with Mrs Hill for eight weeks at £1 per week. A sum of £5 10s had been paid, leaving a balance owing of £2 10s. After going to Mrs Hill's witness worked for seven weeks for'one-'Needham, but was paid for only one week's work. While living with Mrs Hill he paid £2 on account' of board. Witness then went to work for one Johnson, and at intervals paid Mrs Hill £3. He was -. sure, however, that he had paid her £5 10s.

By Mr Spratt: Mrs Hill never complained about non-payment of board. The gramaphone was paid for when delivery was taken of it. Witness never instructed Mrs Hill not to hand the gramaphone to his brother Willie until the board account was paid.

Re-examined: Mrs Hill did not keep a public boardinghous e. This closed the hearing.