MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1918, Page 6

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

LANDLORD'S CLAIM AGAINIST TENANT. A very dilapidated wheelbarrow, two black-painted chests, a small gas ring, and some very much worn curtains, and other sundries of a like character figured in a case at the Magistrate's Court at New Plymouth yesterday, before Mr. ACrooike, S-iL, when Thomas M. Fleetwood sued John Land for the recovery of certain goods, or the value ( thereof (£3 17s), or, in lieu of recovery, £1 for detention; and also £1 ss, balance of rent due. Mr. D. Hutchen appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. Fitzheiibert for defendants. It was intimated that the claim for rent had 'been settled, the amount having been paid intfc court since the issue of the writ For the plaintiff it was alleged that defendants rented a house from plain; tiff at Ngaio Road, Fitzroy, on "May 25, 1917. At the time, Fleetwood wen* through the house with Airs. Land, ana agreed to sell certain articles of furniture to her. Other articles were sent away to the auction mart, and some things were left on the premises. Defendants occupied the house for 12 months, and left the place actually on May 27, 1918. When they left, plaintiff went over the premises, and on finding that the goods which had been left when defendants took possession wero not there, he had demanded their return, failing which he had put in a claim for their return or the value of them. The case for the defendants was that some of the articles claimed for had ■been purchased, and others had been given by plaintiff to the defendant, as ha said they were not worth taking away. A fire had occurred in the premises shortly after defendants left the place. The goods produced in court looked as though they had been left outside and been subject to all sorts of weather. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate said, as there was nothing to prove that plaintiff had given the goods to defendants, as alleged, he must find for the plaintiff. An order was, therefore, made for the restitution of the goods which still remained in existence, or the amount of their value, also 10s damages for their retention. Costs amounting to £1 19s were allowed.