Proceedings by -M. Goldman against C. S. Maitland were begun in H. M. Stpreme Court en Thursday, before his Oonour Judge. Skinner turner. ' Plaintiff's claim was for the return -of a deposit of $3,000 paid to defendant -under the terms of an agreement for lease dated September 30, 1920, made between defendant as lessor and plaintiff as lessee in respect of premises No. 1 Jukong Road. Plaintiff entered into' possession, on December 10 and remained in possession unti] December 27, when, the premises were closed by order of the Chinese authorities, and defendant re-possessed himself of the premises and had remained in Possession and occupation ever since. Plaintiff further claimed for the return to him of a portion of the stock of wine and_ spirits belonging to him and left by him upon the premises and consumed or wrongfully detained by defendant; or, in the alternative, the value of the goods, $450.
Mr. Kentwell, for defendant. raised the question of there being a doubt as to his being a British subject.
Mr. P. W. Goldring, for plaintiff, pointed out that. defendant had submitted to the jur ion. of the Magistrate in the British Police Court. who recently sentenced him to three. months' imprisonment.
Mr. Kentwell answered that the question of nationality had arisen since then.
Mr. Goldring—I cannot bring a cross-claim against defendant in the Mixed Court because he claims British nationality.
His Lordship ordered pleadings, and said the defendant could raise the question of nationality in his defence.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.