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[1949] VLR(62 results)

Cases reported in this volume of the Victorian Reports

R. v. AIRDVLR 1

BARRY J.·20 July 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Criminal lawEvidence — Confession by accused — Violence used towards accused — Accused put in terror by such violence — Confession not voluntary at common law — Confession inadmissible — Evidence Act 1928 (No. 3674), sec. 141.

SAMPSON v. EDWARDSVLR 6

LOWE J.·12 Mar 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

PracticeSubmission at close of plaintiff's case that there is no case to answer — Discretion of Judge as to whether defendant must elect not to call evidence.

IN RE APPS AND HURLEYVLR 7

BARRY J.·23 Sept 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Property lawLease with option to purchase — Terms of purchase to be agreed upon subsequently — Uncertainty — Absence of concluded agreement — Property Law Act 1928 (No. 3754), secs. 49, 137, 203.

LINDSAY v. MILLERVLR 13

LOWE J.·28 Apr 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Private International LawDeed of settlement — Intention of the parties — Proper law of deed — Deed executed in Scotland relating to Australian property.

RE OVENS AND KING TRADERS PTY. LTD.VLR 16

FULLAGAR J.·22 Mar 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

CompanyStatute — Retrospective effect of consolidation — Company struck off register — Reinstatement of company to register — Application made more than two and less than fifteen years after striking off — Companies Act 1938 (No. 4602), sees. 2 (2) (a) (i), 295.

MOONEY v. JAMESVLR 22

BARRY J.·28 Aug 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

EvidenceCriminal law — Assault — Cross-examination — Leading questions — Discretion of Court as to when leading questions should be allowed or prohibited.

JusticesPractice — Comment on evidence for informant — Submission that there is no case to answer — Reference to evidence already given — Justices Act 1928 (No. 3708), sec. 88.

KIRK v. SUTHERLANDVLR 33

LOWE J.·2 June 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Transfer of LandAdverse possession — Title acquired by person in possession adverse to registered proprietor — Not transferred as against the registered proprietor — Purchaser of adjoining land going into possession of land acquired by his vendor by adverse possession — Rights thereto — Property Law Act 1928 (No. 3754), secs. 62, 276, 277, 281, 301 — Transfer of Land Act 1928 (No. 3791) secs. 87, 121 — Pretenced Titles Act 1540 (32 Hen. VIII, c. 9).

SPRIGGINS v. PULLARVLR 39

BARRY J.·13 Sept 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Fruit and vegetablesSelling fruit incorrectly packed — Sale by an employee — Whether offence committed — Fruit and Vegetables Act 1928 (No. 3687), secs. 41, 43, 49, 50.

HARRIS v. WOODVLR 43

HERRING C.J.·28 June 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

National SecurityAssignment of Lease — Illegality — Sale of business — Contract requiring vendor to assign lease of premises to purchaser — Whether purchase price payable in contravention of Landlord and Tenant Regulations — Defence Transitional Provisions Act 1946-1947 — National Security (Landlord and Tenant) Regulations, reg. 33.

BERTRAND v. THE KINGVLR 49

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., GAVAN DUFFY AND MARTIN JJ.)·30 Aug 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

PoliceRight of police officer to salary — Whether right enforceable as matter of law — Petition of right — Police Regulation Act 1928 (No. 3750), sec. 13.

IN RE WATTSVLR 64

FULLAGAR J.·31 Aug 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

WillAnnuity — Payment out of income — Surplus after payment of annuity — Whether intestacy as to surplus — Power of trustee to pay income to person aged 21 years having contingent interest therein — Implied trust for accumulation — Whether "contrary intention" excluding power of trustee within the meaning of sec. 3 of the Trustees Act 1928 — Trustee Act 1928 (No. 3792), secs. 3, 31.

BRABENDER v. BRABENDERVLR 69

FULLAGAR J.·9 Sept 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

DivorceHusband and wife — Domicil — Intention to change domicil of origin — Residence in new domicil for only short period — Significance of place of residence of wife — Marriage Act 1928 (No. 3726), sec. 76.

IN RE THREE SOLICITORSVLR 72

HERRING C.J.·30 Nov 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Barrister and solicitorPractising solicitor — Failure to keep accounts — Failure to pay trust moneys into bank trust account — Failure to account for security — False particulars in statement of assets — Misconduct in a professional capacity — Conduct reasonably regarded as disgraceful or dishonourable by professional brethren — Law Institute Act 1928 (No. 3714), secs. 3 (1), 20 — Legal Profession Practice Act 1936 (No. 4418), secs. 3, 4 (1) — Legal Profession Practice Act 1942 (No. 4924), sec. 3 (2).

GRANT v. AMADVLR 78

BARRY J.·13 Sept 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantRecovery of possession of premises — Prescribed premises — Dismissal of application on conditions — Lessor unable to avail himself of portion of premises made available to him by lessee — No default by lessee — Further order that lessee surrender additional space — Discretion — Course to be followed by Court when condition on which application was dismissed is not carried out — Extrinsic evidence to explain or interpret order of Court — National Security Act 1939-1946 — Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946-1947 — National Security (Landlord and Tenant) Regulations, regs. 58 (5) (g) (ii), 63, 64. [Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), secs. 37 (5) (g) (ii), 45, 46.]

BAKER v. THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS COMMISSIONERSVLR 85

FULL COURT (Herring C.J., Martin and Fullagar JJ.).·1 Sept 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

NegligenceRailways — Level crossing — Duty of train driver — County Court — Appeal — Verdict against weight of evidence — Duty of Full Court — Setting aside verdict — County Court Act 1928 (No. 3663), sec. 74 (3).

THE KING v. GOVERNOR OF METROPOLITAN GAOLVLR 91

O’BRYAN J.·20 Jan 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Crown practicePrerogative writs — Habeas corpus — Immigrant — Convicted of larcency — Conviction for an offence punishable by imprisonment for one year or more — Deportation order — Direction of officer to keep person in custody pending deportation — No notification of reason for arrest — Arrest prior to issue of deportation order — Immigration Act 1901-1940, secs. 8A (1) (a), 8C — Crimes Act 1928 (No. 3664), secs. 71, 74.

DE MARCO v. ELLISVLR 97

FULLAGAR J.·3 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantPrescribed premises — Reasonably required for occupation by the lessor — Reasonably suitable alternative accommodation — Hardship — Whether hardship — Question of law — Rights of lessor to possession of own property — Time at which premises are reasonably required — Bon fide and reasonable expectation that premises will be needed — Discretion — Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), secs. 37 (5) (g) (i), 45.

OLCORN v. HOOTONVLR 101

MARTIN J.·28 Feb 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantComplaint signed by agent — Firm of solicitors — One member of firm signing complaint other than as agent — Insufficiency of signature — Whether complaint should be dismissed or struck out as nullity — Landlord and Tenant Act 1928 (No. 3710), sec. 69 — Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), sec. 85.

MAJALA PTY. LTD. v. ELLASVLR 104

HERRING C.J.·28 Oct 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

National SecurityLandlord and tenant — Prescribed premises — Conviction "arising out of the use of the premises for any illegal purpose" — Convictions for drinking liquor on unlicensed premises; for selling liquor without licence — Confiscation of liquor — Use of premises as sly grog shop — Notice to quit necessary to determine lease after ground given — Acceptance of rent no waiver of right — Waiver of right to take proceedings — Election must be clear and unequivocal — Financial hardship — National Security Act 1939-1946 — Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946-1947 — National Security (Landlord and Tenant) Regulations, reg. 58 (5) (e). [Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), sec. 37 (5) (e).]

SCOTT v. WILLMORE & RANDELLVLR 113

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., GAVAN DUFFY and O’BRYAN JJ.)·17 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Principal and agentCommission — Agent authorized to "sell" — Agent introducing purchaser — Vendor and purchaser executing contract — Absence of proof purchaser able to complete contract — Agent entitled to commission on execution of contract.

IN RE PARKERVLR 133

FULLAGAR J.·13 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

WillBequest to charitable or benevolent institution — Payments in discretion of trustee — Void for uncertainty — No definite property given for charitable purpose.

HAWTHORNE BROS. v. REILLYVLR 137

MARTIN J.·15 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Husband and wifeAuthority to wife to purchase goods — Ratification — Agency — Wife leaving husband — Storekeeper selling goods to wife without notice of termination of authority — Estoppel.

HOLLINGSWORTH v. LEEVLR 140

BARRY J.·16 Sept 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantWar Service Moratorium — Protected person — Recovery of possession of prescribed premises — Agreement or covenant depriving lessee of any right, power, privilege or benefit — Lease granted subject to existing tenancy — "By purchase" — National Security Act 1939-1946 — Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946-1947 — National Security (Landlord and Tenant) Regulations, regs. 58 (5) (g) (i), 60A, 81 — National Security (War Service Moratorium) Regulations, reg. 30 (1) — [Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), secs. 37 (5) (g) (i), 40.]

CHRISTOPHER v. WRIGHTVLR 145

FULLAGAR J.·6 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantLease for years — Lessee remaining in possession on expiration of lease — Rent tendered and accepted by lessor — Inference of tenancy from year to year — Effect of National Security (Landlord and Tenant) Regulations [Landlord and Tenant Act 1948].

FORSTER v. SHIRE OF MORNINGTONVLR 150

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., LOWE and FULLAGAR JJ.)·28 Feb 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Local GovernmentBy-law — Building by-law — Caravan-kiosk possessing features of mobility — Halted indefinitely on site — Whether building — Local Government Act 1928 (No. 3720), secs. 198, 228.

LINDSAY v. MILLERVLR 154

HERRING C.J.·18 June 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

TrustSettlement — Class gift — Vested or contingent interest — Rule against perpctuities — Divesting provisions void for remoteness — Accumulation of income — Property Law Act 1928 (No. 3754), sec. 164.

LEE v. IRISHVLR 166

MARTIN J.·9 Feb 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

JusticesInformation — Breach of by-law — Failure to prove by-law — No objection taken — Whether by-law may be tendered on review.

IN RE LOWEVLR 169

FULLAGAR J.·6 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Administration and probateWill — Soldier — Killed on active service — Oral statements — Whether expression of final intention — Not necessary to show deceased knew he was making a will — Wills Act 1928 (No. 3803), sec. 10 — Statute Law Revision Act 1933 (No. 4191), sec. 2 — Wills (War Service) Act 1939 (No. 4684), sec. 2.

IN RE WARNE-SMITHVLR 174

HERRING C.J.·3 Nov 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Administration and probateTestator's family maintenance — "Children" — Retroactive operation of repeal of definition of "children" — Application by children more than six months after grant of letters of administration — Extension of time for making application — Power of Court — Administration and Probate Act 1928 (No. 3632), Part V, secs. 138, 139, 147 — Administration and Probate (Testator's Family Maintenance) Act 1937 (No. 4483), secs. 3, 6.

R. v. BROWNVLR 177

FULL COURT (LOWE, MARTIN and BARRY JJ.)·4 Mar 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Criminal lawjury — Special verdict — Questions put to jury — Jury discharged after answering questions without giving verdict — Trial not concluded — Murder — Death brought about in the commission of a felony — Whether murder or manslaughter.

IN RE WATSONVLR 185

HERRING C.J.·29 Oct 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

WillConstruction — Gift to great grand daughter wrongly described as grand niece — Gift to such other grand nieces and grand nephews as shall be living at the time of testator's death in equal shares as tenants in common — Surrounding circumstances — Intention of testator.

RE CHAS. JEFFRIES & SONS PTY. LTD.VLR 190

FULLAGAR J.·8 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

CompaniesShares fully paid up — Reduction of capital — Approval of Court — Power of Court to rectify register — Trustee registered as owner of shares — Discretion of Court — Companies Act 1938 (No. 4602), secs. 100, 101.

IN THE ESTATE OF H.VLR 197

O’BRYAN J.·3 Mar 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

EvidenceLegitimacy — Presumption of legitimacy — Proof of legitimacy by baptismal certificate — Statement in continuous record entered in performance of duty to record information supplied — Information supplied by person who had, or might reasonably be supposed to have had, personal knowledge of information — Evidence Act 1946 (No. 5183), sec. 3.

RE TAYLORVLR 201

O’BRYAN J.·22 Mar 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

WillRevocation by marriage — Marriage in contemplation when made — Necessity to express in will itself particular marriage contemplated — Wills Act 1928 (No. 3803), sec. 16.

WASHINGTON MOTORS PTY. LTD. v. O’HALLORANVLR 203

HERRING C.J.·31 Mar 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantRecovery of possession of premises — Title by estoppel — Proceedings by unregistered firm — Service — Last place of abode — Landlord, and Tenant Act 1928 (No. 3710), sec. 69 — Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), sec. 85 — Business Names Act 1928 (No. 3648), secs. 5, 9, 12.

PROUD v. CITY OF BOX HILLVLR 208

GAVAN DUFFY J.·10 June 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Local GovernmentBy-law — Power to prohibit noises in public highways — By-law prohibiting shouting, calling out, haranguing or singing — Validity — Local Government Act 1946 (No. 5203), sec. 197 (1) (xxi).

THE VICTORIAN RAILWAYS COMMISSIONERS v. HERBERTVLR 211

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., LOWE and FULLAGAR JJ.).·28 Feb 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

CrownLandlord and tenant — Whether the Victorian Railways Commissioners in leasing their own property are the Crown — Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), secs. 5, 37 — Railways Act 1928 (No. 3759), secs. 50 (1), 85.

BOLTON v. MOOREVLR 215

LOWE J.·11 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Transport regulationCommercial goods vehicle — Operate — Carry goods in the course of trade — Course of trade — Isolated occasion — Transport Regulation Act 1933 (No. 4198), sec. 5, 46.

IN RE LOCKVLR 218

DEAN J.·19 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

WillConstruction — Bequest — Payments postponed — Gift over — Whether interest vested — Gift of Interest on monies when due — Effect.

REID v. REIDVLR 221

DEAN J.·31 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

DivorceDesertion — Wife declining to perform household duties — Husband consequently leaving her — Whether wife a deserter.

R. v. YOUNGVLR 226

FULLAGAR J.·29 Nov 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Criminal lawSpecial jury — Application by Crown — Complicated issues involved in trial — Matters to be taken into consideration — Juries Act 1928 (No. 3707), sec. 41.

METROPOLITAN FIRE BRIGADES BOARD v. TAITVLR 231

MACFARLAN J.·17 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantOccupation of employer's flat by fireman — At fireman's request — For purposes of employer's business and not by way of remuneration for services — Whether relationship of landlord and tenant exists.

SANDERS v. JOSEPHVLR 235

FULL COURT (GAVAN DUFFY, O’BRYAN and DEAN JJ.).·13 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Principal and agentCommission — Agent instructed to obtain 7,000l. net — Sale at less than 7,000l. — Special employment not carried out — Failure of claim for commission.

THE UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA LTD. v. PUDDYVLR 242

FULLAGAR J.·6 June 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

PracticeAction on guarantee — Counterclaim by plaintiff — Submission at close of defendant's case of no case to answer — Whether plaintiff should be put to election or not — Discretion of judge.

Principal and suretyNon-disclosure of material facts — Whether contract of suretyship thereby invalidated.

TOWILL v. BAILEYVLR 248

O’BRYAN J.·3 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantNational security — War service moratorium — Protected person — Lessee — "Person claiming under lessee" — Surrender of tenancy — Person continuing in occupation — Trespass — Injunction — National Security Act 1939-1946 — Defence (Transitional Provisions) Act 1946-1947 — National Security (War Service Moratorium) Regulations, regs. 30 (2), (4), (6); cf. Landlord and Tenant Act 1948, sec. 72 (6).

R. v. CITY OF MELBOURNEVLR 257

O’BRYAN J.·27 Apr 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Local governmentCouncil — Whether agent of municipal corporation — Prerogative writ — Prohibition — Judicial function — Power to revoke licence — Natural justice — Right to be heard — Right to be represented by barrister and solicitor — Carriages Act 1928 (No. 3649), secs. 4, 5, 7; Local Government Act 1946 (No. 5203).

IN RE HOOPER & GRASS’ CONTRACTVLR 269

FULLAGAR J.·3 Dec 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

Vendor and purchaserWater rate — Charge on land — Adjustment at settlement — Basis for apportionment — Whether based on period of time or amount of water consumed — Transfer of Land Act 1928 (No. 3791), Table A, cl. 10.

Money had and receivedPayment under protest — Threat to withhold that to which party legally entitled — Whether payment voluntary or compulsory — Whether recoverable.

ROSENDORFF v. THE DENTAL BOARD OF VICTORIAVLR 274

GAVAN DUFFY J.·27 Apr 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

DentistApplication for registration — Recognized certificate — Qualifications of applicant — Evidence of practice — whether admissible — Medical Act 1928 (No. 3730), secs. 52-55, 63.

THE KING v. JENKINSVLR 277

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., LOWE and FULLAGAR JJ.)·25 Mar 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

InfantCustody — Issue of parentage — Taking of blood tests — Standard of proof — Form of proceedings.

FOSTER v. HOWARDVLR 311

BARRY J.·31 Aug 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

ElectricityUser — Restriction thereof — By regulation — During state of emergency — Validity — Publication in "daily" newspaper — Meaning of "daily" — State Electricity Commission Act 1928 (No. 3776), sec. 27 (e).

OLIFFE v. RYANVLR 314

O’BRYAN J.·29 Mar 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantPrescribed premises — Shared accommodation — What is — Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), secs. 2, 38.

LORENZ v. LORENZVLR 319

GAVAN DUFFY J.·29 June 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

JusticesLandlord and tenant — Complaint claming possession of premises — Complainants acting in two representative capacities — Only one capacity stated in complaint — Amendment — Jurisdiction — Justices Act 1928 (No. 3708), sec. 96.

KIRSCH v. AUHLVLR 324

FULLAGAR J.·29 July 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Landlord and tenantLease granted subject to rights of tenant in possession — Notice to quit served within six months of such grant — Whether grant of such lease is purchase, transfer or assignment of dwelling-house or lease thereof — Landlord and Tenant Act 1948 (No. 5264), sec. 40 — Landlord and Tenant (Amendment) Act 1948 (No. 5291), sec. 6. — Statute Law Revision Act 1948 (No. 5331), sec. 2, Sch.

IN RE BOYDVLR 326

LOWE J.·3 June 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

EvidenceLegitimacy — Claim to be next of kin of intestate — Burden of proof — Presumption of validity of marriage — When arising.

IN RE MAGUIREVLR 329

FULLAGAR J.·16 Aug 1948·Supreme Court of Victoria

LicensingApplication for transfer of licence — Objection by Licensing Inspector — Discretion — Refusal of application — Case stated — Appropriateness of procedure — Function of Licensing Court not strictly judicial — Entitled to consider matter not proved by strictly legal evidence — Licensing Act 1928 (No. 3717), secs. 61, 67, 74, 107.

IN RE WATSONVLR 342

MARTIN, J.·18 Feb 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

LicensingApplication to renew licence — Application opposed — Whether applicant a fit and proper person to have licence renewed — Onus of proof — Factors to be considered — Licensing Act 1928 (No. 3717), secs. 95, 98 (4).

HUMBERSTONE v. NORTHERN TIMBER MILLSVLR 351

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., GAVAN DUFFY and FULLAGAR JJ.)·18 Aug 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Workers' compensationWorker — Whether person employed a servant — Whether contract of employment made after Act extending definition of "worker" — Workers' Compensation Act 1928 (No. 3806), sec. 3 — Workers' Compensation Act 1946 (No. 5128), sec. 2 (2).

KENNEALLY v. BERMANVLR 362

FULLAGAR J.·22 Aug 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Melbourne Harbor TrustPower to make regulations "generally for carrying out the objects and purposes of this Act" — Regulation prohibiting holding a meeting or addressing an assemblage upon or within property under the control of the Commissioners — Ultra vires — Melbourne Harbor Trust Act 1928 (No. 3733), sec. 138.

CRUTTENDON v. BRENOCKVLR 366

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., MARTIN and FULLAGAR JJ.)·19 Aug 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

DogMischievous disposition — Scienter — Quantum of evidence — Direction to jury.

GOLDSMITH v. BROPHYVLR 375

BARRY J.·12 Sept 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

CustomsProhibited imports — Goods — Bon fide gifts — Meaning — Whether excepted from prohibition on importation — Customs Act 1901-1936, secs. 52, 229 — Customs (Import Licensing) Regulations (No. 163 of 1939), reg. 3.

IN RE GILLARDVLR 378

BARRY J.·25 May 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Administration and probateRevocation of probate — Original grant obtained by fraud — Escheat to Crown — Application for revocation — Procedure.

IN RE PORTEOUSVLR 383

FULL COURT (HERRING C.J., O’BRYAN and FULLAGAR JJ.)·7 Aug 1949·Supreme Court of Victoria

Administration and probateTestator's family maintenance — Order made — Liberty to apply — Jurisdiction to make further order — Administration and Probate Act 1928 (No. 3632), sec. 145 — Administration and Probate (Testator's Family Maintenance) Act 1937 (No. 4483).