“PREPOSTEROUS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 1

“PREPOSTEROUS”

MAGISTRATE ON DAMAGE CLAIM

PLAINTIFF ACCEPTS NON-SUIT

"Absolutely preposterous,” was the opinion expressed by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., after Hearing a claim made by Herbert Charles Evans against Henry Speers Parsons for £125 damages at the Magistrate’s Court this morning. For Evans, Mr. Jacobsen said that, when riding in a light truck, owned by Parsons, who was a butcher on the Maaukau Road, and driven by one of his employees, an accident had occurred which had resulted in injuries to plaintiff. It was for compensation in respect of these injuries that the c’aim was made. Mr. Mackay, who appeared for defendant, said that Parsons had given express instructions that his drivers were not to give rides to anyone. Harrison, who had been driving when Evans was injured, was under notice of dismissal. Under cross-examination by counsel tor the defence, Evans admitted that he had met Harrison by appointment at an hotel in Onehunga, where they had remained for an hour, after which ho had accepted Harrison’s invitation to drive him home. Mr. Mackay submitted that Harrison had no right to go to Onehunga in the first place, as it was miles off the round. At this stage the Magsitrate expressed surprise at action having,been taken, and plaintiff elected to be nonsuited.

Costs, including wit nesses’s expenses, solicitor’s fees and Court costs were allowed to defendant.