A peculiar tea contract dispute unfolded at the Limerick Quarter Sessions on Monday, with Messrs Jubbs of Dublin, represented by their agent Mr Russell, seeking to recover £1 15s from Thomas Campion. The contested amount was claimed as a balance allegedly owed for tea supplied by the plaintiffs to Campion. The courtroom drama saw legal representatives on both sides, as Mr Gaffney acted on behalf of the plaintiffs and Mr Fox represented the defendant, hailing from Kilmallock.

During the proceedings, Mr Russell took the stand and affirmed that the claimed sum was legitimately due from the defendant.

The core of the case centered on a tea sample sent by Messrs Jubbs to Campion. The defendant explained that he submitted this sample to the Kilmallock Board of Guardians, leading to his selection as the tea supplier for the local union. Subsequently, Campion placed an order for ten chests of tea from the plaintiffs. However, upon receiving the tea and delivering it to the workhouse, a setback emerged. The tea was deemed unsatisfactory by the workhouse tester, failing to meet the standard set by the initial sample.

Campion, taking matters into his own hands, procured two replacement chests from the Master in Cork, incurring the associated expenses. He notified the plaintiffs about the rejection and subsequently received an additional nine chests from them. In the aftermath, Campion found himself at a loss in terms of profits due to the problematic three chests of tea.

In his ruling, Judge Adams, presiding over the case, made a decisive move by dismissing the action brought forth by Messrs Jubbs. While the specific grounds for his decision were not provided, the dismissal marked the end of this curious legal dispute.

In the backdrop of this legal affair, the courtroom was abuzz with arguments, testimonies, and the clash of legal minds, capturing the attention of those present.

This case underscores the complexities that can arise within business contracts and the importance of ensuring product quality and adherence to agreed-upon terms.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 09 January 1906