SHARP PRACTICE.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 993, 6 August 1872, Page 2

SHARP PRACTICE.

(To the Editor of the Westport Timet.) Sir, —Doubtless tradespeople and others of Westport would be somewhat surprised at the sharp practice of Messrs Bull and Bond on Tuesday last, by sueing me for non-performance of contract. I must say they have acted with very bad grace, in this respect, and I ask them their motive for serving me such a trick; as no other tradesman in this town, or any. other, ever has done before. It was not the first transaction they havo bad with me, I paid them £163 two years ago, £SO on application, and the remainder a short time after. Then why sue me now, as they ought to know

IH I am well able to pay all demand*, D d in a good position and willing at 11 times to conform to the usual pules f trade- If they were abort »f cash, (by not apply to others, for whom they were working prior. Whatever viS said in Court; I assert that not a Kord was ever settled respecting that he full amount of the money should ,e paid on the completion of the work. [hen why did they not take my cheque for £3O, and the offer of the balance 5 f £iS 18s in, one month ? Where is jhe tradesman in this town who would ■efuse a fair proposal. I have had jontracts in Hokitika, Dunedin, and W'estport, and not one of the conductors has ever insisted upon the (hole amount being paid instanter. Resides, I defy them to say that the jork is finished. They ought to have completed their work in a tradesmanlike manner, and I complain that the ffo rk was scamped, incomplete, and greatly delayed, therefore they ought not to be quite so sharp, otherwise they will find themselves in the wrong do* some of these days. Were Messrs Bull and Bond frightened that they would not get their money ? If so I am sorry for them— I do not believe in a man promising te complete the wbrk after be has received the whole of his money, and then neglecting to do so. In oonclulion, I would mention that this day I as told by a contractor that the work [have paid £55 for to Bull and Bond, |e would have done for £3O and much letter, The contract was signed for [une 25 1872, and I was sued by Bull d Bond on July 24 1572.—1 am, &c., Christopher Shows;