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An Ancient Criminal Court…

Llandudno Swifts in the County…

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Llandudno Swifts in the County Court. THE PROFESSIONAL AND HIS WAGES. Members of the Llandudno Swifts' Football Club Committee were, on Thursday of last week, sued at the Conway County Court by Frederick William Jones, a clerk, formerly the professional player and groundsman of the Club, for the recovery of £ 4 14s, balance of wages due to him for services as their professional. Three members appeared, viz., Mr J. B. Jones, Mr D. Garic Roberts, and Mr O. Marchant, Secretary to the Club. The other defendants, who did not appear, were Mr J. L. Mayger, Mr L. Evans, and Mr O. Lhvyto Roberts. Mr W. J. Corbett appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr James Marks appeared for the defendants. Mr Corbett explained that the Llandudno Swifts Football Club had met two winters ago with reverses. Last year an attempt was made to resuscitate it, and with this view the plaintiff was approached to become the professional player of the Club. Finally, the Committee authorised the Club to engage him at the sum of 12s a week, and during a part of the winter he received 12s a week until adverse circumstances again befel the Club. The plaintiff's wages fell into arrears, and an application was made for them. The Secretary of the Club assured him that he was very sorry, but the funds would not allow them to pay him. The Secrteary acknow- ledged that the Club owed the money, but their Treasurer had got it, and he would not send in a proper account. The Secretary further said that he wished Mr Corbett would write a strong letter to the Treasurer, and perhaps something would be done. Mr Pierce, the Treasurer, had left Llandudno. and the plaintiff had not recovered the arrears due to him. Mr F. W. Jones gave evidence supporting this statement, stating that he was approached by Mr J. B. Jones as to becoming the professional of the Swifts team. No one had denied that the sum was owing. When Mr J. B. Jones saw him he advised him not to engage himself to any other Club until he (the plaintiff) had heard from the Swifts. He signed the usual professional form of the Football Association. In answer to His Honour, the plaintiff said that Mr Pierce, the Treasurer, generally handed him his wages. Cross-examined by Mr Marks He could not remember for what specific weeks he had received no payment. Mr Marks You were engaged by the Club? The Plaintiff: I saw Mr Jones in the matter. Mr Marks Mr J. B. Jones in his own capacity never engaged to see you paid. The Plaintiff: I never heard him say so. The Plaintiff further said that there was no agreement in writing further than the usual pro- fessional form. His duties were those of grounds- man and professional player. He did not engage to train the team at all. Mr Marks Did any member of the Committee engage his personal responsibility in the matter ? The Plaintiff: No; I never heard any of them say so. They never disputed my claim. Mr Corbett, on oath, reported an interview he had with Mr Marchant, the Club's Secretary, in which the latter acknowledged that the money was due, and that the Club could not get money from the treasurer. Mr Marchant was called to give evidence on sub-poena, and showed some hesitation, where- upon Mr Marks remarked that the witness wanted to secure his fee before giving evidence. Mr Marchant stated that he had been Secretary to the Club for seven years, and was Joint Secretary last year. He produced the Club Committee's minute-book. His Honour read out of this book a minute of September 3rd, 1900, in which it was stated that Mr J. B. Jones reported an interview with the plaintiff, and was authorised, on the motion of Mr O. Lt. Roberts, seconded by Mr D. Garic Roberts, to offer the plaintiff 10s or the best possible terms. Mr Marchant denied having told Mr Corbett how much money there was in the Treasurer's hand. In reply to Mr Marks, Mr Marchant said that he had oflered to pay his contribution towards pay- ing the professional's wages rather than have the matter made public. Mr J. B. Jones, also sub-poenaed, gave evi- dence. In his account of the interview with the plaintiff, he stated that he advised him to get his wages at once after every match, and advised him further that, if he did not get his money, he had better get his discharge as quick as he could. Mr Marks contended that the members of a Committee could not be liable further than the assets of the Club allowed. Further, he held that it had been decided that the members of a Com- mittee were not personally liable at all for the liabilities of the Club. A Club was not recognised by all. The plaintiff knew the circumstances of the Club when he was elected, and, as Mr J. B. Jones had said, engaged himself with his eyes open. The Judge said that the question was whether these individual members of the Committee did not personally bind themselves to Jones. He held that, judging from the minutes of September 3rd, 1900, they did so. Mr Marks They entered into an agreement as much as as most people did when they paid money. They accepted his services. His Honour found for the plaintiff with costs,

Mark Masonry in North Wales.…

"The Mabinogion."

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