[wages, action for]

Pollard v. Dudfield

Supreme Court of Van Diemen's Land

Pedder C.J., 14 March 1838

Source: Hobart Town Courier, 23 March 1838

This action was brought for five years wages, at £100 per annum, Pollard having for that period been in the employ of Mr. Dudfield. An attempt was made to establish Mr. Pollard as merely an invalid, whom Dudfield had taken into his house from motives of charity. It was however, clearly shewn that when Dudfield was a javelin man, at Launceston, Mr. Pollard had acted most kindly towards him and materially assisted him. It appeared that he had been of great service to Dudfield in his various transactions at Oatlands. Mr. Thomas gave a very distinct and clear evidence, and kept the Court in a roar of laughter. Some years since he kept the books for Pollard and Dudfield. He did not mince the matter much, and said he was sure that Mr. Pollard’s services were worth from £60 to £70 a year and added, that although the proceedings of the plaintiff and defendant were far from being correct, he still considered that Pollard was entitled to his claim, as he had assisted Dudfield in certain affairs, which would not have turned out quite so well had Pollard not backed his friend. The jury found a verdict of £250 -- that is £50 a year -- with costs.