PETERSFIELD.
COUNTY COURT.—On Saturday, at the County Court, before Deputy-Judge Gunner, there were many cases for hearing, but none possessing any particular public notice, with the exception of the following, viz. "Silvester v. Ainsworth," which appeared to have created some interest from the circumstance of the son of the defendant being an apprentice under indenture between the trustees of Churchers College and Samuel Jonathan Silvester, a carpenter and joiner, living at Waterloo, near Horndean, who sued the defendant for the sum of £5.
From the evidence of the plaintiff it appeared that he accepted Frank Ainsworth (son of the defendant) from the College, as an apprentice, and had received £12 10s. for the first 12 months, and £12 10s. for the second twelve months—together £25,—being the sum allowed by the trustees for his apprenticeship.
Mr. Albery, of Midhurst, appeared for defendant, and produced the indentures of agreement, which specified a seven years’ binding—one year of which is unexpired—but in which nothing was named as to the £5 claimed.
In reply to the Judge, the plaintiff stated that the £5 claimed was agreed to be paid by defendant at the time of the apprenticeship, to make up the premium which he claimed of £40 upon taking an apprentice; and upon being asked if he had any written agreement, produced a note from Mr. Thomas Barnes, which did not apply to the claim made.—A verdict for the defendant was given, with costs.