LAGE v. SIEMENS BROTHERS & CO., LTD.

(1932) 42 Ll.L.Rep. 252

KING'S BENCH DIVISION.

Before Mr. Justice MacKinnon.

Principal and agent - Claim by ship's agents against shipowners for indemnity against liability incurred by agents on defendants' behalf - Cable laid by defendants from Fernando Noronha to Rio Janeiro - Length of cable for joining up with shore station set out in ship's manifest for delivery to X at Rio Janeiro - Communicating cable, with knowledge of plaintiffs, X and Customs authorities, transferred to lighter and laid to shore station - Shipowners subsequently fined by Customs authorities as the communicating cable had not passed through the Customs House and therefore no duty had been paid - Fine paid by ship's agents as representing shipowners - No reasonable steps taken by ship's agents to procure that the Customs were given an explanation of the circumstances - Duty of agents