DISPUTED TIMBER SALE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 787, 7 October 1929, Page 10

DISPUTED TIMBER SALE

CLAIM FOR £432 FOR LOGS FARMER SUES SAWMILLERS Tlie sale o£ kauri and totara logs, valued at £432, by a Peria farmer, Frank Jacentlio, was disputed by the Rangiora Timber Company, of Kohukohu. before Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court today. Mr. Johnstone appeared for plaintiff and Mr. Finlay, with him Mr. Chalmers, represented the company. According to Jacentho. the plaintiff, he owned 0,000 acres of timber land near the Opohuri stream, running into Hokianga Harbour. In 1023. at the request of a native, Joe Tahere. he allowed the Maori to fell, crosscut and stack the timber on the banks of the stream, the work being done at 4s a 100 ft. Through the Maori, the Rangiora Timber Company was advised tha* the stacked timber was for sale, and the firm’s manager Molloy interviewed him and made a verbal contract to buy tlie logs, which were immediately branded and “scribed.” for 14s a 100 ft. A deposit of 2s a 100 ft was arranged and the company forwarded cheques for £77 and £3O in accordance with this arrangement. The logs were floated down the stream to the company’s booms. Subsequently, Molloy informed witness that the company was crediting the Maori, who had cut the timber with the balance of the money for the logs. When witness announced the timber as his property Molloy promised to fix ths matter up. No money was paid, however, despite a further assurance from Molloy, the company subsequently declining to recognise witness as the owner of the timber, stating its contract was with the Maori. At this time the native had a contract with tlie firm to supply timber. but from different properties. The balance of the purchase money had not yet been paid. (Proceeding.)