A Rushden Tradesman Sues the M.R. Co. for Damages for Detention of Goods
An interesting case was heard by Judge Snagge at the Wellingborough County Court on Monday, Mr. Joseph Albert Langley (Busby’s Boot Palace), High-street, suing the Midland Ry Co. for £20 4s 8d for damages sustained through the company’s delay in delivering certain goods.

Mr. Newman (Rushden) for plaintiff, and Mr. Turner (Birmingham) for the M.R. Co.

In opening the case Mr. Newman said that Mr. Langley was a boot dealer and his wife conducted a millinery business.

A Wedding Order
had to be completed, and in view of the Easter trade Mr. Langley, on April 3rd, ordered certain special goods for Easter from a wholesale dealer in Leicester. The goods were dispatched on April 3rd and delivered into the hands of a carman of the M.R. Co. As the goods did not come to hand, Mr. Langley was obliged to obtain other goods for the Easter trade and he absolutely lost the order for the wedding goods and certain orders.

Plaintiff said that on April 3rd he ordered certain millinery goods at Leicester, which were required for a wedding and for the Easter trade. On 4th April he received an invoice, but not the goods, which were not delivered till the 21st, when they were of no use for the purposes for which they were ordered. Apart from the annoyance and injury to reputation through not being able to fulfil their orders, there was a

Considerable Loss of Profit
and the goods had deteriorated in value. They were of no use to him and he refused to take them in.

The M.R. Co. admitted breach of contract and paid two guineas into Court, but denied further liability.

His Honour said plaintiff should have taken in the goods, and have claimed the damages, if any, sustained by deterioration. The plaintiff had no right to throw the goods on the railway company. However, the company had not paid enough for the delay, and he gave judgment for £4 4s and costs. Note: Joseph Langley, a boot retailer from Leicester, was at 6 High Street in 1901.

No Licence—For keeping a dog without a licence, Charles Debenham, carter, Rushden, was fined 15s. and costs at Wellingborough Police-court on Friday. Defendant said his wife had been ill, and he had not had any money for the licence.

The Staff of Life—At Wellingborough Police-court on Friday, George Henry Lenton, baker, Rushden, was summoned for selling bread otherwise than by weight at Rushden on March 8.—The County Councillor Inspector (Mr T Mattinson) said he saw a young man delivering from a cart bearing defendant’s name. Witness obtained two loaves from him and found them both under weight.—Fined £1 and 13s6d. costs.

Wellingborough Police Court
This Day (Friday)
Before Messrs N P Sharman, E Sharman, J Claridge, R P Payne, J Brown, Owen Parker and Dr Clark.

Edwin McCracken, Rushden, was summoned for being drunk and disorderly. Defendant, a very respectable man, said he had had the influenza and on the advice of a friend took some whiskey as medicine, but “it acted the wrong way.”—An excellent character was given defendant.—Case withdrawn on payment of costs.

Alfred Clayton, Rushden, was charged on remand with stealing a quantity of horse hair at Rushden. Prisoner, who admitted the charge, was committed to the Quarter Sessions.

Arthur Joseph Cumberpatch, Rushden, was ordered to contribute 2/6 a week to the support of his son in a reformatory.

Wellingborough Police Court
This Day (Friday)
Before Mr N P Sharman, Mr Ed Sharman, Mr J Brown, Mr R P Payne and Dr Clark.

Levi Turner, Rushden, was summoned for a breach of the Dogs Act by not having the owner’s proper name and address on the dog’s collar.—P.C. Goddard said the collar had on it the name of Mr A H Sartoris, but that had a piece of leather tacked over it.—Defendant said he wrote his name on the piece of leather.—Fined 10s. and costs 6s.

Mark Thos. Denn, Rushden, was summoned for allowing a dangerous dog to be at large.—Mr C R Claridge said defendant would be pleased to carry out any order the bench might make.—Supt. Onan said there had been several complaints from persons who had been bitten by the dog.—The bench made an order for the dog to be destroyed.

David King, Rushden, for using bad language was fined 10s. and costs.