SINGULAR DEBT CASE.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 June 1919, Page 5

SINGULAR DEBT CASE.

{ A PUZZLED JUDGE. HAMILTON, June 20. "What was described by Mr." ‘Justice Cooper as a most extraordinary case: was heard in the Supreme Court. to~ day The Farmers Co’-operative Auction-. eering Company Ltd, (Mr MeDiarmid),' claimed from John Wouldes and his wife (Mr. Rogers) £9O, alleged to be due for goods supplied. " The plaintiff stated that the (10-1 fendantiwas supplied with goods to the value of £l4l 19/, and when; asked for a settlement produced a receipt signed by an employee of the‘ plaintiff, since deceased. Defendant" had paid only £33 18/, Which‘ amount was handed into the office by the employee, who said that defend~ ants’ account {was still in debt to the extent of over £IOO. The employee said that when he gave the receipt it was only for the one item of £33 18/, on a statement of £l4l 19/. . '

.John Woldes, in evidence, Said that he paid the whole amount, while his wife, Sarah C. Wouldes, the other defendant, said that her husband ask‘ed her for money to pay the company. ‘and he took £l4l from 3. box in [which she kept a son’s allotment money. . His Honlour said that On the face lof it the receipt was a clean one, and ‘a letter from the employee inferred‘ that he might have received other money -and credited it to someone else. Two courses Were open. "The case might be held over for further inquiry, or the compall_v cou1:1 accept‘ a. nonsuit. Counsel agreed to accept. it nonsuit; His Honour agreed, and said if was a. most extraordinary case’. If he had been on a jury’ he would not have known what to do.