MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 June 1915, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

CLAIM FOi; WACKS. At the Mu-istraie-s'Coi'vt vesterdav, before Mr. A. Crook.., S.M.\ 'William Pucker (Mr. A. I!, Johnstone) ehiiined £-(■ 12s from Harper Lcpper (Mr. (I, Cray), for wages due. 'Mr. A. H. Johnstone outlined the ease. I'laintill', he said, was a laborer, of Lettperton, and ivas employed by defendant, a farmer, of the same district, in (letober last to cut some blackberries. Ho put no period to his services, and after the man had worked 15 days would only pay him four. William Parker, the plaintiil', gave evidence that defendant employed, kirn to cut blackberries on his property. Xo delinite .period of employment was determined upon. He worked there 15 1 /, days, and then defendant declared that lie only employed him for three or four days, and finally .paid him for four days only. Tu reply to : "" \ ("'ray, witness said Lcpper gave him instructions as to what blackiberry to cut. Tt could not be cut by a machine.

Joseph Walker gave evidence as to defendant telling plaintiff that he had only lieen employed for three or four days. Mr. Gray outlined the defence. • Harper B. Lcpper, defendant, stated tliat he had definitely stated to Parker that he 'was to cut only that blacldbcrry which could not be cut with a machine. In answer to Mr. Johnstone, defendant said the work to lie done l)v Parker had never been shown him. Parker was a, good workman. Frederick T. Ow said Parker cut the blaekllierry out of over 20 acres and cut the blackberry and fern on aJiout :)'/4 acres. The latter work could h'P'e been done by a machine in two to three davs.

"Maxwell T.eppor also save evidence. After hearing counsel on both sides, the Magistrate said that whatever period of employment was in the mind of defendant he evidently did not convey it to .plaintiff. Hie 'put the man on the work and apparently forgot all about it. Judgment would he for plaintiff the full amount claimed. £4 12s, and costs £2 3s.