ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1918, Page 3

ELTHAM.

CLAIM FOR BONUS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Kltham, June 27. A case of considerable interest to farmers was heard before Mr. W. R. Haselden, S.M., at the last sitting of the Eltham Court- R. G. Barr claimed from the Eltham Dairy Company the 6iim of £44 3s 7d, being proceeds of milk supplied not accounted for, moneys deducted for shares not allotted £ll 3s ld ; total, £35 Cs Bd, less above allowance £ll 3s Id. Mr. A. A. Stewart represented the plaintiff, and Mr. J. L. Weir the dairy companyPlaintiff stated that during the 1913-14 milking season he supplied defendant company with milk, which yielded 10,7e7.-5H> of butter-fat, 484.551b being manufactured into butter and 10,282.901t> of cheese. During the season he received several progress paymenst in respect of such milk, with which he credited the company. A supplementary or final payment was made to the suppliers of the company about September. 1914, at the rate of ,66d per pound of butter and Id per pound for cheese, making a total of £44 3s 7d, which the company refused to pay. The company deducted £ll 3s Id for shares, but had not at a*y t'nne allotted any shares to the plaintiff in respect of the eaid sum.

In reply to Mr. Stewart, plaintiff stated that his farm was at Mata, and he took possession in July, 1913, and commenced to supply in August, and continued doing so till July, 1914. During that period he had received certain statements of accounts, and did not dispute the accuracy of any received. Each month he received a statement of actounts and cheque. Mr. Weir Btated that the company paid whatever was duo to a shareholder. The company, however, wa9 entitled not only to a charge for cost of manufacture of plaintiff's supply into butter or cheese, but also to a profit for the sale of same as agents. Mr. Stewart admitted this, and contended that the margin, £ll, allowed was a reasonable profit to the company. A bonus was paid that year, hut as plaintiff was not a shareholder he did not participate in this; hence the claim. He claimed this action was similar to one brought by Mr. Free and heard before Mr. Justice Ho&krng. Mr. Weir stated that the present secretary (Mr. Northover) had no knowledge of the circumstances, having only been in office nine months. He objected to the present action, and contended it was not a proper one. He was not protesting, but objecting. He had no wish to put Mr. Northover in the box, but if his Worship desired he would do so. The S-M. said he presumed the company desired to meet the charge in a fair and honor&Me manner. Mr. Weir said they were not attempting to keep anything back. The books kept then were very different to those now in use, but what they knew was at present in the court. Whatever the bonus was, it was paid out to the suppliers. The S.M : I really want to get at the differences set up in cases of this kind. I don't desire you to quarrel with me. I only want to get at the bottom ox matters. Mr. Weir: But I don't desire to buitd up plaintiff's case.

Mr. Stewart sail he would ask for an adjournment to enable him to obtain other evidence relating to bonuses, and, after another protest by Mr. Weir that the case should continue, the S.M. said he would adjourn further hearing until July 10.