RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1456, 19 January 1886, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Geraldine—Monday, Jan. 19xh, 1886, (Before H. C. S. Baddeley, Esq., R.M., and R. H. Postlethwaite, Esq., Rer. G. Barclay, and Dr. Fisb, J.P.s.) civil cases. Peter Billings v. Angus MacdonaldClaim, £4 14s 6d for damages and breach of contract. P. Billings, sworn, stated : About two and a-ha'f months ago the defendant called upon me at Mr Coombs’garden and asked me if I would do his pressing at the shearing. Ho did not mention any price, but said to me “Will you come and do my pressing this year, the same as you did last year.” 1 replied that I would i£ be would give it to me. He then asked “ Which mate I would have.” I told him the one I bad last year. He aa>d that R, Richards bad been asking him for the pressing, but he would come to me before letting it to him. I replied that I would do it. Afterwards I told him that I had the promise of a job at the Orari Station, when the defendant said he > would speak for me to get the shed before bis commenced. Mr Murray promised the job to me. Cross-examined by Mr Macdonald: I have no written agreement. Have pressed your wool on several occasions before but never had a written agreement. I refused to press the wool at la per bale when asked to do so by Mr McLeod. You engaged me about tea weeks ago. By the Court: I got Is 6d per bale for pressing lust year. I believe the rates for pressing are lower this year, 1 lost throe fine days work at an average of 21 bales a day at Is 6d per bale which makesAiY claim £4l4s 6d.

A. Macdonald, sworn, said; My shepherd asked him to go to work at Is per Dale, but he declined to do this. I swear thal I never promised the plaintiff my pressing, but remember saying that I would speak for him at my late brother’s station.

Cross-examined by plaintiff: 1 remember talking to you near Coomb*’ garden, but cannot tell you all I said; but will swear positively that I never promised you my pressing. I had no intention of giving Is 6d per bale for pressing this year. . William McLeod, sworn said ; The plaintiff came to the station on Sunday, the 3rd January. I asked him if he would do the pressing at Is per bale, when he replied that “ he would not have anything to do with it,” 1 then said that was enough, the other men would do it at that money. Cross-examined by plaintiff; I did not say that Mr Macdonald had engaged two men to do the pressing, You was not In the shed more than one hour. By the Court: The ruling price for pressing would be known 10 weeks ago but 1* 6d per bale is too high this year. Alexander Bissett also corroborated the evidence given by the last witness. The Bench retired for a short time to consider the evidence. Upon returning the decision was that the plaintiff be nonsuited without costs.

Several cases were settled out of Court. The Court then adjourned until nex t Monday at the usual hour.