Liability For Workmen's Wages.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 103, 23 May 1885, Page 5

Liability For Workmen's Wages.

A very important decision ha 3 been given recently by Mr Justice Johnston, and as it is the first under the "Workman's Wages Act " of last session, special interest is attached to it. From the report in the " Press," it appears that a contractor for work at the Ashburton Convent had got into arrears with his workmen, and also with a timber merchant at lnvercargill. Subsequently he assigned his right to money accruing due on the contract to the timber merchant, notice of which was given to the Lady Superior on the sth of the month. On the 12th the womraen, under the provisions of the Act, obtained orders as against the money? of the contractor from° the Resident Magistrate at Ashburton. The timber merchant, howevor, set up his assignment, and claimed the residue of contract moneys remaining in the hands of the Lady Superior on account of the contract. She paid the money into the Supreme Court to await its decision. It was contended that his assignment overruled the claims of the men, inasmuch ac at the time they took action under the Act as against the contractor there were no funds belonging to him in the hands of the Lady Superior, the legal estate therein having passed to his assignee. On ;the other hand, it was contended that clause 14 of " The Workmen's Wages Act 1884 ' gave absolute priority to workmen's wageg over ail others. That clause ia as follow :— ' The wages that may be outstanding on any contract or undertaking shall be a /irst charge upon any money in the hands of the contractee which has accrued or may accrue and become due to the contractor on account of Mich contract or undertaking." Hi? Honor upheld this contention, and made an order for the payment of the money to the workmen. This decision is very patisfactory, and shows that the Act eilrictually secures the rights of workmen against the creditors of defaulting employers.

Only a short time ago Mr Hamar Bass bought Lord Northampton's house in Piccadilly, and now Mr Arthur Basa has bought Chesterfield House from Mr Magniac. 'I hese houses are two of the very finest in London. Brewing must be a good trade. The pretty little Princeof Wales's Theatre, the former home of the Bancrofts and llobertsonian comedy h to pass into the bands of the Salvation Army. General Booth, in anticipation of this event, haß added a wag to the stall" of the War Cry This gentleman inform* the public that * • toe devil will soon find out ' this theatre is Ours,' that the Army will welcome all classes of ' Society ' quite irrespective of * Caste,' and will be pleased to receive all tlie ♦ Money 'thecougregatkmelike to bring.