DISTRICT COURT OF QUEENSLAND
CITATION:
JA & JB Boyle Pty Ltd v Major Furnace Australia Pty Ltd [2019] QDC 75
PARTIES:
JA & JB BOYLE PTY LTD (ACN 102 765 435) AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BOYLE FAMILY TRUST
(plaintiff)
v
MAJOR FURNACE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 116 352 759)
(defendant)
FILE NO/S:
99 of 2012
DIVISION:
Civil
PROCEEDING:
Trial
ORIGINATING COURT:
District Court at Brisbane
DELIVERED ON:
17 May 2019
DELIVERED AT:
Brisbane
HEARING DATE:
28-29 March 2019
JUDGE:
Porter QC DCJ
ORDER:
1. The Court declares that the contract entered into by the parties for the supply of one HD60 cremator on or about 26 September 2011 is void;
2. Judgment be entered for the plaintiff in the amount of $112,271.10; and
3. The counterclaim be dismissed.
CATCHWORDS:
TRADE AND COMMERCE – COMPETITION, FAIR TRADING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION – CONSUMER PROTECTION – MISLEADING OR DECEPTIVE CONDUCT OR FALSE REPRESENTATIONS – where the plaintiff entered into a contract to purchase a cremator from the defendant – where the defendant made representations regarding performance and delivery time – whether the representations were misleading or deceptive – whether reasonable grounds existed for making the representations – whether the plaintiff relied on the representations.
TRADE AND COMMERCE – COMPETITION, FAIR TRADING AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION – ENFORCEMENT AND REMEDIES – OTHER ORDERS OR RELIEF – RESCISSION OR RESTITUTION – where the plaintiff entered into the contract to purchase a cremator in preference to an alternative product – where the plaintiff communicated its desire to rescind the contract to the defendant – where the cremator is now worthless – where the defendant refused to retake possession – whether avoidance of the contract and repayment of the purchase price is the appropriate remedy.
Legislation
Australian Consumer Law, s 4, s 18, s 29, s 236, s 237 and s 243
Cases
Awad v Twin Creeks Properties Pty Ltd [2012] NSWCA 200
Butcher v Lachlan Elder Realty Pty Limited (2004) 218 CLR 592
Cummings v Lewis [1993] FCA 149
Downey & Anor v Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific P/L [2005] QCA 199
Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Ltd (1984) 2 FCR 82
Henjo Investments Pty Ltd v Marrickville Pty Ltd (No 1) 39 FCR 546
Marks v GIO Australia Holdings Ltd (1998) 196 CLR 494
Other Material
RV Miller, Miller’s Australian Competition and Consumer Law (41st ed, 2019, Thomson Reuters)
COUNSEL:
S Byrne for the plaintiff
KW Wylie for the defendantSOLICITORS:
Bob Bogie & Co for the plaintiff
Carter Newell Solicitors for the defendant
SUMMARY
In mid-September 2011, the plaintiff (Boyle) contracted in writing to purchase a cremator (the HD60) from the defendant (Major Furnace). Boyle alleges that prior to the contract, the defendant made four promises about the performance of the HD60. The plaintiff alleges that those promises were representations about future matters which were misleading or deceptive. The plaintiff alleges that but for the representations it would not have entered into the contract and claims loss and damage arising out of entry into the contract. It also claims an order for rescission of the contract and restitution of the money paid to the defendant for the cremator.
With one exception, I find that the representations were made generally in the terms alleged by the plaintiff and relied upon by the plaintiff in entering into the contract. I also find that one representation, relating to the costs per cremation expected from the HD60, was made without reasonable grounds and was misleading or deceptive. Further, I find that the plaintiff relied on that representation when acquiring the HD60 in preference to another cremator it was considering acquiring. Although I do not accept the plaintiff made out the damages claimed, I am persuaded that the plaintiff is entitled to a remedy setting aside the contract and requiring repayment of the sums paid by way of purchase price.
The defendant’s counterclaim on the contract for an unpaid instalment of the purchase price is also dismissed.
BACKGROUND
The plaintiff carries on business as a funeral director in the Proserpine/Whitsunday region. It has done so since about 2008. Mr Jeffrey Boyle is a director and the guiding mind of the plaintiff. In about 2011, Mr Boyle started to make inquiries about acquiring a cremator for use in the plaintiff’s business. It was common ground that the regulatory regime in Queensland (and New South Wales) permits funeral directors to carry out cremations. Some other states have regulatory regimes which are more restrictive.
Major Furnace is a designer and constructor of cremators and other industrial equipment. It is a relatively small company. It has a long history. Its current managing director is Mr Andrew North.
Cremators are designed for different levels of usage. Larger machines are designed for higher volume operations and generally burn faster, but are more expensive. Smaller machines are designed for lower volume operations and generally burn slower but are cheaper. Mr Gleeson was the service manager for Major Furnace and had been for some six years. He was responsible for staffing issues and sales of smaller machinery, including cremators. Mr Gleeson’s evidence was that as at July 2011, Major Furnace had two cremators known as the HD90 and HD120. They were designed to consume bodies at rates of about 90 kilograms and 120 kilograms per hour, were capable of 24 hour operation and were aimed at crematoria undertaking daily operations. Both machines were designed for the high volume market, but the HD120 was designed for use where many very large bodies had to be cremated. However, at about this time, Major Furnace had decided to design a machine for lower volume operations directed at the funeral director market in NSW and Queensland, to be called the HD60. None of this was challenged at trial. It was in this context that Mr Boyle said he had his first relevant conversation with Major Furnace.
In July 2011, Mr Boyle contacted a number of cremator suppliers, including Major Furnace. Amongst the suppliers contacted were a US supplier known as Therm Tec. At that time, the quote from Therm Tec at $100,000 plus freight from the US was the most competitive quote.
Mr Boyle also contacted Major Furnace. He said he spoke with Mr Gleeson on four material occasions: on about 28 July 2011 (the First Conversation). He also gave evidence of three other material discussions: on about 1 September 2011 (the Second Conversation), on about 19 September (the Third Conversation) and on about 20 September 2011 (the Fourth Conversation). Mr Gleeson did not recall the number, order or content of individual conversations, although he did recall matters which were discussed and his recollection was generally consistent with Mr Boyle’s evidence. It is convenient to refer to Mr Boyle’s recollections for this part of these reasons, bearing in mind that some aspects of his recollection are disputed.
Mr Boyle gave evidence that in the First Conversation in July 2011, he told Mr Gleeson that the plaintiff performed about 85 to 90 cremations per year. Mr Gleeson then told him the existing cremators (the HD90 and the HD120) would not suit Boyle’s likely usage rates but that Major Furnace was designing a cremator which would suit smaller funeral homes. Mr Boyle said Mr Gleeson also told him that:
(a)That the cost probably worked out at about $85 to perform a cremation as compared to large machines which cost about $40;
(b)The machine would have state of the art electronics so that problems could be rectified remotely by a modem;
(c)The machine might take about three months to be delivered; and
(d)The expected price was about $180,000.
Mr Boyle said he told Mr Gleeson the price was too high. There is a brief diary note of this conversation which lists prices and suppliers. It supports the inference that the call occurred, but says nothing about the content.
Mr Boyle said that the Second Conversation occurred in early September (his diary note says 1 September). He said Mr Gleeson contacted him to tell him that Major Furnace had gone ahead with the design of the smaller cremator called the HD60. He said Mr Gleeson:
(a)Agreed that the HD60 was a small unit for small numbers of cremations;
(b)Told him that Major Furnace had worked out that the cost per cremation would be about $85;
(c)Told him that it would take about three months to supply the HD60;
(d)That problems could be identified via a modem in Melbourne rather than having to wait for the US suppliers to wake up and respond to problems;
(e)That 85 to 90 cremations are year would be fine and that the machine could handle up to five per day;
(f)The price would be $180,000.
Once again Mr Boyle said that price was too high for him. It is not clear that he communicated that to Mr Gleeson. There is a diary note of this conversation which is generally consistent with Mr Boyle’s recollection. It does add a note that the estimate of $85 per cremation depended on the gas price.
On 9 September 2011, Mr Gleeson sent Mr Boyle a quotation for supply of a HD60 cremator.[1] It relevantly stated:
[1]Exhibit 3.
…
Throughput
The HD60 cremator is engineered to operate at the rate of up to 5 cremations per 8-hour day, and can be operated continuously up to 24 hours per day without the need to shut down to increase the furnace throughput as required.
…
Automatic operation
The control system is controlled by a microprocessor based digital Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), which his engineered to ensure optimum operation under a wide range of conditions without the need for operator intervention.
The quotation then stated a price for a HD60 at $139,680 plus GST and listed a number of inclusions and exclusions. Neither list includes the modem.
It also states a price for packing and freight ($10,900 plus GST) and for installation supervision, commissioning, training and travel expenses of $9,868 plus GST. Again inclusions and exclusions do not refer to the modem. It contemplates installation over five days by a Major Furnace technician. The quotation provides for 16 weeks for delivery, installation and commissioning. The quotation deals expressly with after sales service support under a heading in these terms. It states: “To assist with ongoing operation for the equipment Major is pleased to offer after sales service support via the Major service department in Melbourne”.
Not surprisingly, given his dissatisfaction with the price quoted by Major Furnace, Mr Boyle continued with his inquiries with other suppliers. He appears to have focused on Therm Tec, as US company. He obtained a quotation from Therm Tec dated 9 September 2011 for supply, freight and installation for about $120,000. The quotation was for $82,116 but I infer that was a US dollar figure to which GST had to be added.[2]
[2]Exhibit 4.
I note that the machine quoted on in this quotation was ultimately purchased by Mr Boyle in December 2012 to replace the HD60 which was purchased in November 2011.
On about 19 September 2011, Mr Boyle says Mr Gleeson followed up the quotation leading to the Third Conversation. Although Mr Gleeson does not specifically recall this, it would be a normal step for him to take. I find this did occur. Mr Boyle said he told Mr Gleeson that $180,000 was too much and that he could not obtain finance for that amount. He says he told Mr Gleeson he was going to “look at” the Therm Tec unit. Mr Gleeson is said to have reiterated some of the advantages of the HD60, then said he would have to talk to Andrew North to see if they could “sharpen their pencils” and reduce the price. This is generally confirmed by Mr Boyle’s diary note for that day. It seems very likely to me that the Therm Tec price would also have been mentioned in this conversation. Mr Boyle says, and I accept, that he did not know who Mr North was at the time.
Mr Boyle said he spoke again to Major Furnace on 20 September 2011, the Fourth Conversation. He said this conversation was with Mr North and Mr Gleeson.
Mr Boyle said he initially spoke to Mr Gleeson. Mr Gleeson said Mr North was present but Mr North did not speak initially. His account proceeded as follows:[3]
He said that, “We’ve looked at the costing. We’ve sharpened our pencil significantly.” I think that’s when they told me it was coming down. It was down around 120, 130,000. …I said to him, “Well, it’s still dearer than the Therm-Tec unit and we’ve got the issues with, you know, time and all that sort of thing, and that’s when he said to me, “Well, you know, you’re going to save $2000 on every cremation because ours will be here a lot quicker than theirs will be,” and … he said the modem would mean that they could log in from Melbourne at any time during when we’re working whereas America couldn’t. He said that because it’s brand spanking new design, it’s got the latest gas equipment, whereas the Therm-Tec is old technology. He convinced me, basically, to buy it.
Well, could just – is that all that you recall him saying in the conversation? I recall him saying the gas usage, …about $85 … per cremation of what it was going to cost us approximately. I recall him saying that their upsale [sic after sales] service backup system was second to none…
…And it would be delivered within 13 weeks. That was one of the crunches, you know, like, that was where he said to me, Therm-Tec is a lot more than 13 weeks, like, it was probably 15 weeks, 18 weeks, plus freight overseas on the ship. He talked about it, you know, and what would happen if it fell off the ship or something went wrong on the wharf or something to that effect where theirs is going to be in within 13 weeks. So I’ll save $2000 on every cremation we do in that 13 week period on the difference on theirs to the Therm-Tec deal.
[3]TS1-28.10 to .35.
Mr Boyle recalled that after that, Mr North came on the line and said as follows:[4]
“Just like Nigel’s just explained to you, you’re getting the state-of-the-art machine, brand spanking new. You’ll get it within 13 weeks, it’ll cost you around $83 a cremation – $85 a cremation”, he said that, “Because you’re the first person to have one of these designed cremators”, and … I could be their referral person for them. And he reiterated that … he’d dropped the price significantly to get into that particular market.
MR BYRNE: What did you tell them? I said, “Sure, okay, sounds good, send me a tax invoice”. He’d convinced me.
[4]TS1-29.5 to .15.
Mr Boyle said he asked that a quote be faxed to him. His diary note of that conversation is brief but not inconsistent with his account.
A revised quotation arrived a couple of days later, dated 21 September 2011.[5] It refers to the telephone conversation earlier in that week but says nothing about what was said. It is otherwise in materially the same form as the first quotation. It differs in the following respects:
[5]Exhibit 7.
(a)The prices for the HD60, freight and installation are reduced to $110,010, $8,890 and $7,960 respectively plus GST;
(b)It added a requirement that there be a minimum of two cremations per day during the trial period (that period was not directly identified, but the installation period was two days and the total period contemplated for installation and commissioning was five days, thus the trial period appears to be three days);
(c)It provides for Terms of Payment as follows:
(i)35 per cent deposit on order;
(ii)50 per cent on completion of refractory installation;
(iii)10 per cent prior to dispatch; and
(iv)5 per cent on completion of installation and commissioning; and
(d)It provides under the heading “Delivery”:
We have reviewed our current workshop loading and can offer a reduced [perhaps from the 16 weeks in the original quote] delivery, installation and commissioning of 13 working weeks from receipt of deposit.
Note that the 13 weeks offered included delivery, installation and commissioning. The representation relied upon by Mr Boyle, however, is that the HD60 could be delivered in 13 weeks. The Major Furnace witnesses said that at the time of the conversation and quote, no HD60 had ever been constructed before and work had not begun on the one to be delivered to Boyle.[6] This was the first HD60 to be manufactured. (Mr Nguyen said that a HD60 had been manufactured in 1990, but he was not working at Major Furnace at the time and this evidence was not supported by Mr North, who was. I do not accept that evidence.)
[6]TS1-96 to 97; c.f. Nguyen TS2-4 to 5.
Mr Boyle accepted the quotation on a date between 22 and 26 September and paid the deposit on 28 September (the Contract). Thirteen weeks from receipt of the deposit was 28 December 2011. That was the delivery date represented on Mr Boyle's case. Delivery was required a week or so before then under the terms of the Contract to permit installation and commissioning by 28 December 2011 (possibly two weeks before to allow for the Christmas public holidays).
Mr Boyle then spoke to Therm Tec and told them he was buying the HD60. A person from Therm Tec sounded a warning about gas usage and suggested Mr Boyle obtain reassurance in writing about that matter. Accordingly, he contacted operations manager of Major Furnace, Mr Gaetjens. Mr Boyle says he asked for documentation on gas usage for the gas suppliers so they knew what they had to supply. He gave evidence that he also said he wanted that information because he was having doubts about the usage the HD60 would achieve.[7]
[7]TS1-32.5 to .10.
He said:
(a)Mr Gaetjens asked how much his gas would be supplied for and Mr Boyle told him $1 per litre
(b)Mr Gaetjens counted the following calculation:[8]
“Doing the calculations on 1280 mega joules[”]…he calculated it out and he said, “So that works out at approximately $50 at a dollar a litre it’d be using in gas.” He then said, “You need to take into consideration the cost of the ashes container”, which was I think $15; “electricity” – I think he allowed $8; and he also said that, “Maintenance, you need to allow about $12 per cremation.” So it came up to I think it was $85 or thereabouts. It seemed to make sense, it was fine. I asked him to send it in writing, and he said, “Sure, I’ll get that to you.”
[8]TS1-34.8 to .15.
Mr Boyle says he asked for that to be confirmed by email. He relied on an email sent on 8 November 2011 by Mr Gaetjens. That email comprised an overall report on the progress of the HD60. The only text relevant to the above alleged discussion was as follows:[9]
During our conversation, you also asked for information on the gas supply and other information necessary for you to be able to have hour contractors make ready the applicable services.
For the Gas
The connection capacity required is 2500Mj/hr (net)
Our estimate usage is 1280Mj per cremation
[Underlining in original]
[9]Exhibit 8.
There is nothing in this email about the calculation of $85 per cremation nor about Mr Boyle’s alternative reason for querying gas usage. There was no evidence that Mr Boyle followed up this shortcoming in the confirmation sought. However, Mr Boyle’s diary note of 8 November 2011 confirms the figures he described.[10]
[10]Exhibit 9
Mr Gaetjens’ email also attached a Gantt chart. It is evident, from the diary note and the email, that Mr Gaetjens also told Mr Boyle that the work was on schedule to meet the delivery date. The parties seems to have acted on the basis that that date was mid-December 2011, which seems generally correct pursuant to the Contract. Mr North seemed to admit that this was the first program prepared for the HD60 construction. It was the first he was aware of in any event.[11]
[11]TS1-110.20.
Mr Boyle says he kept chasing Mr Gaetjens about a delivery date and Mr Gaetjens kept putting it off. Ultimately, the cremator arrived on about 20 February 2012, about seven weeks late based on the represented delivery date and some nine weeks based on the Contract. It was accompanied by a Major Furnace technician called Mr Dumburs whose job was to install and commission the cremator. Mr Dumburs was not called as a witness.
Mr Boyle gave evidence about the installation and commissioning process. He said that the cremator had defective internal bricks and there were no burners attached. He also said that the machine had not been tested. That was disputed by Mr North and Mr Nguyen. The burners eventually arrived on site and the internal bricks appear to have been fixed. The cremator was then installed and run for the curing period. It then carried out some cremations. Mr Boyle’s evidence was a little unclear but it appeared to be that the machine took two hours to heat up and two hours and 20 minutes for the cremations, despite the bodies being small. It took 20 minutes to reheat between cremations. That remained the situation during installation and commissioning.
Mr Boyle said that Mr Dumburs accepted that the machine was taking too long to heat up. Mr Dumburs was not called to give evidence, however, his Installation Report (which seems to be incomplete) was tendered without objection. Mr Nguyen then travelled to site at Mr Dumburs’ request after Mr Dumburs had been on site for about a week. Mr Nguyen was an engineer with Major Furnace who did electrical design work. Mr Boyle said Mr Nguyen also accepted that the cremator was underperforming. Mr Boyle said Mr Nyugen told him that the cremator was struggling to get the afterburner to the full temperature to be able to make the main burner come on. He said that until the after burner chamber gets the required set limit, the main chamber will never start. He said that this was happening because the burners were too small and he was going to try to increase the burn rate.[12]
[12]TS1-42.23 to .26.
To understand this evidence one needs to understand that the cremator is designed with two chambers. The first, main chamber, burns the body. The second chamber burns the smoke and emissions from the first chamber so that no smoke is emitted. All witnesses were agreed that smoke from a cremator was unacceptable for any number of reasons, but including sensitivity about what is being burnt. It is therefore understandable that the second chamber must be hot enough to burn off any smoke or emissions before the primary chamber will light.
The Installation Report confirms the thrust of Mr Boyle’s evidence, though it ends rather suddenly on 7 March 2012.
Mr Boyle said that the machine never got any better. It took two hours to heat up and two hours to perform a cremation initially but got worse over time. The problem he identified was of the kind identified by Mr Nguyen (on Mr Boyle’s account). He said he was advised by Mr Dumburs to manipulate the temperature probe (remove it) to make the cremator’s burners run hotter and thereby heat the chambers more effectively.[13] He said this worked but required constant attendance and was only effective to lessen the heat up time from three hours back to the original two hours. He says he spoke consistently with Mr Dumburs rather than Mr North, Mr Nguyen or Mr Gaetjens. He said he spoke to Mr Dumburs because when he had complained to the other Major Furnace representatives about the heat up time, they had fobbed him off.[14] Mr Boyle said he also complained about some smoke and smell as well. He thought it was because of the cracks in the brick lining. These problems did not emerge until later.
[13]TS1-43.
[14]TS1-63.11.
Mr Boyle paid all but the last instalment of some $20,000 due. By about May 2011, the parties were in dispute. Major Furnace has demanded the last instalment. It is evident that Mr Boyle must have made a complaint about the performance of the cremator which came to Mr North’s attention by then because on 10 May 2012, Mr Tropea (the general manager of Major Furnace) wrote to Mr Boyle in the following terms:[15]
[15]Exhibit 10.
Dear Jeff
Major has completed a detailed review of the HD60 cremator and is confident that it can reduce the fuel consumption and reduce the heat up time. The work will require a Major commissioning engineer to attend your site.
Note, the cremator will be at its more efficient performing up to 5 cremations per day using the auto start feature. Any gas consumption figures quoted are based on long term averages at maximum throughputs.
Prior to attending site Major will require the following:
1.Immediate payment of Major invoice no. 16332 valued at $20,931.90 incl. GST dated 29/3/12.
2.Immediate payment of Major invoice 16459 dated 7/5/12 valued at $3,641.00 (attached) for additional unplanned time spent onsite for commissioning of the HD60 unit due to the site not being ready as specified in Major’s letter of offer dated 21/9/2011 reference No. E104040 Rev. B.
3.Confirmation that the gas storage facilities on site will be the same as those intended for long term use.
4.An installed gas meter at the LPG supply line to the cremator to monitor gas consumption.
5. Supply a copy of your EPA licence conditions.
6.A minimum of six (6) cadavers to be made available in a three day period (minimum 2 per day).
To proceed with the work Major will require a purchase order from Whitsunday for the provision of a commissioning engineer. The cost of attending site will be charged at Major’s standard rates attached. It is anticipated that the work could be completed in three days plus travel time.
We look forward to immediate payment of all outstanding invoices and discussion regarding items 3, 4, 5 and 4.
Major reserves its rights.
[Underlining added]
Mr Boyle says he called Mr Tropea and told him he wanted his money back because the cremator was not working the way it had been represented. Mr Tropea refused.
That account is consistent with Mr Tropea’s follow up email.[16] The tenor of that response is that the throughput is significantly less than capacity and therefore the cremator cannot obtain optimum fuel efficiency. Mr Tropea required payment of all amounts owing. Mr Tropea was not called as a witness.
[16]Exhibit 11.
Mr Boyle sought mediation in the Victorian Small Business Commission. His application was admitted. The plaintiffs relied on the last part of the application where Mr Boyle requested that Major Furnace take back their cremator, refund all monies paid and compensate for losses incurred until a new cremator can be installed. This was relied upon as comprising notice of termination of the Contract. There was no direct evidence the document was provided to Major Furnace, though it is reasonable to infer it was and I do so.[17]
[17]Exhibit 12.
Thereafter, Mr Boyle ordered the Therm Tec machine he had previously considered. It was installed in December 2012 and the Major Furnace cremator was put outside under tarpaulins. The plaintiff used the HD60 until it the Therm Tec machine was installed. On 10 December 2012, Mr Boyle wrote again to Major Furnace complaining about defects in operation of the HD60, however, he did not tell Major Furnace he was removing the machine.[18]
[18]Exhibit 14.
Mr Boyle gave evidence of his gas usage, referring to very high figures which he inferred from invoices for gas supply[19] and number of cremations.[20] He also said it was necessary for staff to travel to and from Proserpine and to be present while the HD60 was operating so that the cremator could be managed in the manner set out in paragraph [36] above.
[19]Exhibit 16.
[20]Exhibit 15.
He also gave evidence that cremations cost about $2,000 each without use of a local cremator. This was apparently because of the costs involved in transporting bodies to Mackay or Townsville for cremation. There were no cremation facilities in the Whitsunday/Proserpine area.
THE PARTIES’ CASES AT TRIAL
The plaintiff’s case
The plaintiff opened the case on the basis that Major Furnace made the following material representations in the First, Second and Fourth conversations[21] (the material representations):
(a)The cremator would be suitable for a low volume crematorium performing between 85 and 90 cremations per year (the suitability representation);
(b)The cost of a cremation would be about $85 (the $85 representation);
(c)There would be a modem supplied so that faults could be diagnosed and fixed remotely from Major Furnace’s premises (the modem representation); and
(d)The cremator would be delivered within 13 weeks (the delivery representation).
[21]There were others pleaded, but the plaintiffs confined their case to the material representations at trial: see TS1-2 to 3. These were the only representations said to be misleading in paragraph 15 of the Statement of Claim.
This articulation of the relevant representations differs a little from the way in which the case was pleaded:[22]
(a)First, it abandons as material representations a number of other statements pleaded in the statement of claim as representations; and
(b)Second, it slightly reformulates the way the representations were made in the statement of claim.
[22]See paragraphs 3, 3A and 4 of the Second Amended Statement of Claim.
However, Mr Wiley for the defendant did not take issue with the way the representations were opened and it seemed to me that it was an appropriate and effective narrowing of the issues.
The first three representations were said to have been made in the all three key conversations. The 13 weeks representation was said only to have been made in the fourth conversation.
The plaintiff pleaded that in reliance on each of these representations it entered into the Contract and paid all but the last instalment of the purchase price.
The plaintiff pleaded that:
(a)Contrary to the suitability representation, the HD60 was not suitable for 85 to 90 cremations per year because it was designed to perform five cremations per day;
(b)Contrary to the $85 representation, the HD60 costs significantly more than $85 to do a cremation and in fact the cost exceeded $400;
(c)Contrary to the modem representation, no modem was supplied; and
(d)Contrary to the delivery representation, the HD60 was “not delivered, installed and commissioned at the Premises within thirteen (13) weeks of payment of the Deposit and, in fact, it took more than twenty-two (22) weeks for commissioning”[23].
[23]Paragraph 15(g) of the Second Amended Statement of Claim.
The last allegation is put in a form which assumes a representation in the form of the terms for delivery under the Contract. That was neither pleaded nor proved. The plaintiff’s case must be that the HD60 was not delivered within 13 weeks of payment of the Deposit properly to falsify the delivery representation. I will assume that to be the case advanced. Not much turned on the difference.
The plaintiff then pleads that, but for the representations, it would not have entered into the Contract but instead would have purchased the Therm Tec machine. The plaintiff pleads that the material representations were made without reasonable grounds and that the defendant thereby engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct in breach of ss. 18 and 29 Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
The plaintiff pleads that Mr Boyle called on Mr Tropea to retake possession of the HD60, repay amounts paid under the Contract and compensate for loss and damage and that Mr Tropea had refused to do so.
The plaintiff pleads loss and damage from reliance on the misleading conduct as follows;
(a)Increased cost of cremations for the delay in delivery of $16,000 based on the actual cost of cremations at $2,000 per week for eight weeks;
(b)Costs of installation of the HD60 thrown away of some $10,000;
(c)Extra gas used while using the HD60 in the amount of $24,818.91.
That last item is particularised using total gas used over the total number of cremations in that period to December 2012, less $85 per cremation as allegedly represented.
The plaintiff also sought rescission of the Contract and repayment of all sums paid.
The plaintiff also pleaded common law negligent misrepresentation but abandoned that case at trial.
The defendant’s case
As to the conversations alleged, the defendant denied that the First Conversation occurred, but admitted the Second Conversation (though said it occurred on 8 September not 1 September), does not admit the Third Conversation or the Fourth Conversation, but admits Mr North and Mr Boyle had a conversation on 19 September 2011.
The thrust of the defence in relation to the material representations was as follows.
As to the suitability representation:
(a)Mr Gleeson said in the Second Conversation that the HD60 was more suitable than the refurbished HD90 Mr Boyle was using; and
(b)Mr Gleeson did not otherwise make the suitability representation because the HD60 was not designed specifically for 80 to 90 cremations a year, though it was capable of doing so.
As to the $85 representation:
(a)The defendant denies that any such representation was ever made;
(b)Alleges it could not have been made because such an estimate required knowledge of gas prices and cremations per eight hour day (the variable information) and Mr Gleeson did not have that information; and
(c)Alleges Mr Boyle knew or should have known that fact.
The defendant denies the modem representation was ever made, and says if the modem was mentioned, it was as an additional item.
The defendant does not plead directly to the delivery representation but admits the contractual term.
The defendant admits delivery was after the time specified in the Contract but relies on a clause in the General Conditions attached to the Contract which provided for an extension where delay arises from events outside the defendant’s control. The defendant pleaded that the delay resulted from incorrect specification information provided by the defendant’s gas burner supplier in Italy, which delayed supply from 30 January to 17 February 2012. It also alleges that Mr Boyle breached its contractual obligation to provide access for installation and commissioning by refusing continued access after 8 March 2012. The defendant does not otherwise grapple with the falsity of the delivery representation.
As to the alleged falsity of the other material representations, the defendant pleaded:
(a)The HD60 was suitable to perform 85 to 90 cremations a year because it could perform up to five per day;
(b)The modem representation, if made, was inconsistent with the Contract; and
(c)The falsity of the $85 representation was not admitted and the plaintiff’s cost per cremation was not known.
The defendant denies that the plaintiff relied on the representations (if made) in buying the HD60 and not buying the Therm Tec because of the better delivery time for the HD60.
The defendant alleged reasonable grounds, being a reasonable and genuine belief that delivery could occur in 13 weeks and that the HD60 was suitable because the plaintiff’s intended use was within its design capabilities.
No reasonable grounds were pleaded for the $85 representation. Rather it was alleged that any reliance was unreasonable because Mr Boyle knew that the cost per cremation depended on the variable information. Further, the defendant alleged that any representation that the HD60 was suitable should mean capable, not commercially viable.
Finally the defendant relied on an exclusion clause in the Contract as to liability for representations under the ACL and loss flowing from them. No submissions were made in support of that allegation.
As to the remaining issues the defendant:
(a)Denied that Mr Boyle demanded a refund from Mr Tropea;
(b)Did not admit the loss claimed;
(c)Alleged affirmation of the Contract by the plaintiff continuing to use the HD60 after the purported rescission.
The defendant counterclaimed for the $20,931.90 still owing under the Contract.
THE ISSUES
The following issues arise:
(a)Where the material representations made?
(b)To the extent made, were they misleading or deceptive and in particular were they false and/or were there reasonable grounds for their making?
(c)Did Boyle rely on the representations in entering into the Contract rather than acquiring the Therm Tec machine?
(d)If so, what is the correct remedy?
THE WITNESSES
It is convenient to refer to the witnesses.
I have in the Background section of these reasons largely set out Mr Boyle’s evidence in chief. I developed the impression that some of his evidence might have been reconstructed from his notes rather than an actual recollection. Given the time which has passed, this might be understandable. However, his account was generally consistent with the contemporaneous records and consistent with how a transaction of this type would likely progress. I thought he was trying his best to give an accurate account. He was efficiently cross examined by Mr Wylie for the defendant. In cross examination he tended to be combative and to argue his case somewhat from the witness box. However, this was in part due to his inexperience as a witness and I thought he endeavored properly to respond when corrected. He naturally had a pre-disposition to recalling events in a favourable light, but subject to that, I thought him a generally reliable witness, though there were some aspects of his evidence I have cause to question. Whether his evidence is sufficient to make out the plaintiff’s claim is another issue.
The defendant called Mr North, Mr Nguyen and Mr Gleeson. Of these three, I found Mr Gleeson to be the most reliable. He appeared to have no predisposition to either side and did his best to give evidence despite seemingly not having had the opportunity to review the documents.
I had more reservations about Mr North and Mr Nguyen.
Mr North was evidently very proud of the history of the company which he leads, as evidenced by his detailed account of the family history starting in the early 1900s. That enthusiasm for his company, however, coloured his ability fairly to accept the prospect that it might have erred in its dealings with Boyle. That tendency was reflected for example, in his evidence about the program for construction of the HD60, which was very optimistic. Similarly, I found his evidence about how the cost per cremation could have been estimated for the HD60 to have been uncooperative at the least.[24] That is particularly so given that the long term data for the cost of operating the HD90 was eventually referred to by Mr North but said by him to be relevant only to the HD90. This was directly inconsistent with Mr Gleeson’s evidence on the point (see paragraph [85] below). I deal with this issue further below. Similarly, Mr North’s evidence that he could not estimate 1280 megajoules required about 50 litres of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was in my view at best uncooperative. He said he could not estimate that figure without knowing the calorific value of the LPG. However, as noted in paragraphs [27] to [29] above, Mr Boyle gave evidence that Mr Gaetjens was capable of doing so. No contrary evidence was led nor any contrary suggestion made in cross examination. I accept that evidence.
[24]TS1-93.34 to 95.16.
Mr Nguyen, I accept, was trying to give honest evidence. However, I did not find him a reliable witness at all. It was plain that he was heavily invested in his professional and personal reputation and that of his employer. He was unable in my view to reliably recall what did happen as opposed to what he thought should or would have happened if everything had been done properly. He was active in arguing the case for his employer and himself from the witness box even when given at least two explanations of the importance of giving responsive evidence based on actual recollection. His evidence as to his lack of interest in Mr Dumburs’ Installation Report (which recorded problems with the cremator he says he was not told about) and his evidence that he would not necessarily have been involved in the review of the HD60 referred to in the May 2012 report was not plausible. While respecting his enthusiasm for the standards of his profession, I do not accept him as a reliable witness of fact.
That is not to say that I reject the whole of the evidence of Mr North and Mr Nguyen. I should also make clear that I do not consider they were deliberately untruthful.
Having made those general observations, I intend to consider the evidence while working though the issues.
ISSUE 1: WERE THE MATERIAL REPRESENTATIONS MADE?
I find that the four conversations occurred and they occurred on or about the dates identified by Mr Boyle. They are consistent with his diary notes, and the accuracy of those notes (so far as they went) was not effectively challenged. Further, the pattern and timing of conversations as recorded by Mr Boyle were consistent with the way such a transaction would rationally develop and with the dates of the Major Furnace and Therm Tec quotes. Mr Gleeson, not surprisingly, could not remember individual conversations. Mr North said he had two conversations on 15 and 19 September 2011, though the former was not pleaded.
The defendant’s evidence on the material representations
As to what was said in the conversations, it is helpful first to summarise Mr Gleeson’s evidence.
Mr Gleeson recalled that at the relevant time, Major Furnace was in fact developing the HD60 and that it was designed for the funeral director market. He said the machine was intended for use up to five cremations per day.
He recalled at least a couple of telephone calls with Mr Boyle. He recalled Mr Boyle saying he performed about 100 cremations a year. He said he believed that the HD60 was suitable for that usage in the sense of being more suitable than the HD90 which was twice as expensive (about $350,000 it seems). This made it harder for the smaller operator to recover the cost of the cremator over a reasonable time.
He recalled that the modem was offered as an extra and its purpose but did not recall discussing it with Mr Boyle at all. He said if he’d been asked to install a modem he would have expressly noted that in the quotation.
He did not recall giving Mr Boyle an indication as to costs per cremation but said it is possible he did. He said, if asked, he would have first inquired as to the kind of gas used (natural gas is cheaper than LPG) to determine gas cost. He then said this:[25]
…A lot of the information we … had back then was from our existing clients. Based on 1000 cremations per year, … had an Excel form that we would fill out, which would have the cost per cremation, and that would include things such as gas, electricity, servicing costs, spare parts, that sort of thing.
…And that would be averaged – then we would calculate that out, and that would be averaged over 1000 cremations per year over a 10-year period.
And Major had this data on-hand? For a HD90.
Yes, and is that the data that you would have used? Yeah, that’s what I would have based it on, yes.
And what figure would you have given? Do you remember or is it too long ago? Around about eighty to ninety dollars.
And did it concern you … that figure being based on HD90 data, that you were giving that for a HD60? No, because, in my view, the HD60 is smaller, so it should take less time to heat up and – but, obviously, it will take longer for a cremation.
Yes? But for the actual – once the refractory is – is warm, then you use less gas, and the body sort of helps become its own fuel. So I’m very comfortable with that figure.
[25]TS2-34.39 to 35.13.
He did not recall discussing the $85 figure with Mr North but said it was a standard figure that would be used and that if he had mentioned a figure, that is the one which he would have used and that was a figure that Major Furnace would have used.
Mr Gleeson could accurately recall this information and explain his reasoning in the witness box despite the passage of time and despite no longer working for Major Furnace. That is consistent with it being generally known in the Company.
Mr Gleeson also said that he recalled being aware that Mr Boyle was using LPG and that Mr Boyle said cremations cost at present about $1,200 each.
Mr Gleeson also accepted in cross examination the following:
(a)That he knew in the lead up to the final conversation, that $180,000 was too expensive for Mr Boyle;
(b)That in the last conversation involving Mr North (which he could not specifically recall but accepted was possible), the key issue was price as compared to the Therm Tec product. However, he thought the final discussion on price involved just Mr Boyle and Mr North; and
(c)He did not recall delivery time as an issue.
Mr North is the other person who dealt with the conversations. As noted above, he thought there were two conversations, one on 15 September 2011 and one on about 19 September 2011. Not much turns on whether there was one or two conversations. It is the substance of what was said which is material. However, as I have said, I accept Mr Boyle’s version in that regard.
Mr North said that in the conversation he recalls occurring on 15 September:
(a)Mr Boyle told him that the price for the HD60 was too high compared to the Therm Tec machine; and
(b)Mr North did not discuss cost per cremation.
He said in relation to the 19 September 2011 conversation:
(a)He could not recall if Mr Gleeson was involved;
(b)He told Mr Boyle of the lowered price and that he would send a quotation;
(c)He said that the HD60 was suitable for up to five cremations a day so was more suitable for lower volumes, and that he had been told Boyle needed to perform about 100 cremations per year; and
(d)There was discussion of the modem and Mr North said that was an option but not one Mr Boyle said he wanted.
He also gave evidence that a person could not estimate cost per cremation at $85 without a lot of information. This was followed by the unsatisfactory evidence referred to in paragraphs [76] and [85] above. As noted there, Mr Gleeson was able to do a rough estimate of the per cremation cost likely for the HD60 and that evidence was not further explored by the plaintiff. I find it difficult to accept that Mr North was not aware of the possibility of using the HD90 data to make reasonable estimates of the likely performance of the HD60, particularly as the likely efficiency of the HD60 would surely have been analysed in the design phase. I accept Mr Gleeson’s evidence that the estimate of the performance of the HD60 based on HD90 figures was generally known at Major Furnace. I find that it was possible to estimate the likely performance of the HD60 at about $85 per cremation (at least over the long term and for LPG at about $1 per litre) as Mr Gaetjens and Mr Gleeson did. I find that this was known to Mr North, even if he harboured reservations as to the reliability of such estimates.
The First Conversation
I accept Mr Boyle’s account of the First Conversation as set out in paragraphs [9] and [10]. I make the following points about this finding.
First, as to the suitability of the proposed HD60, it is generally consistent with Mr Gleeson’s evidence overall and the subsequent events.
Second, as to the $85 representation, it seems highly likely given Mr Gleeson’s evidence and the evidence relating to the conversation with Mr Gaetjens that such a representation was made. If it was not made in this conversation it was made in the next. I note the following:
(a)The version of the $85 representation given by Mr Boyle did not explain the basis of the estimate being long term figures for the HD90. However, while Mr Gleeson mentioned those matters in evidence, he did not suggest that he told Mr Boyle the source of the figures. I do not find that that was explained;
(b)However, Mr Gleeson did articulate the $85 figure as a comparison to the $40 figure for the larger machine;
(c)While Mr Boyle does not refer to the LPG/natural gas issue, it seems such a fundamental point that it is highly likely the matter came up in the First Conversation.
Third, the statement about the modem did not extend to representing that the modem would be included in the sale price.
Fourth, it is relevant that these representations were made in the context where it was communicated to Mr Boyle that the HD60 was a new design, as yet unbuilt.
The Second Conversation
I accept Mr Boyle’s account of the Second Conversation as set out in paragraphs [11] and [12]. The Second Conversation took place against the backdrop of, and consistent with, the First Conversation. The points made in respect of the First Conversation apply to the Second. It is further to be noted that Mr Boyle accepts that gas price was mentioned as a variable. It is likely this took place against the common understanding that Mr Boyle was to use LPG.
The Third Conversation
I accept the Third Conversation occurred as Mr Boyle described it in paragraph [18].
The Fourth Conversation
It is disputed as to which of Mr Gleeson and Mr North took the lead for Major Furnace in the final conversation. Mr Gleeson thought it unlikely he would have done so as final negotiations about price were a matter for Mr North. It seems more probable to me that Mr North took the lead in the discussion in the Fourth Conversation, though in the end it probably makes little difference.
Mr Boyle’s account of the Fourth Conversation is set out in paragraphs [20] and [21] above. The discussion of price is not disputed.
The discussion of $85 per cremation, to the extent it is attributed to Mr North, is disputed by him. I have already dealt with the very unsatisfactory evidence that he gave relating to the question of estimating cost per cremation. The question arises as to whether this is because of his reluctance to accept Mr Gleeson’s statement or because of his own wish to avoid admitting to making the statement himself. However, his evidence was so uncooperative and the $85 figure seemingly so well known in the company, that I do not accept his evidence that he did not nominate it in his conversation with Mr Boyle. Further, he had good reason to do so. He was very keen to launch the HD60 and to secure this first order. He had to persuade Mr Boyle in circumstances where there was a viable, cheaper competitor with a proven product lurking. I accept Mr Boyle’s evidence in this regard.
As to the 13 week delivery period, Mr North gave no direct evidence on the matter. He accepted quoting a delivery period but did not give evidence of any discussion of that delivery period in his conversation or conversations with Mr Boyle. Mr Gleeson did not recall delivery time being discussed. However, I accept Mr Boyle’s evidence about this. As stated in the previous paragraph, Therm Tec was a serious competitor and the HD60 was more expensive. It is therefore understandable that an advantageous delivery period would be raised to persuade Mr Boyle to favour the HD60. It is also reflected in the Contract.
Conclusion on the material representations
I find that Major Furnace made each of the material representations articulated in paragraph [44] above except the modem representation.
As to the $85 representation, Mr Wiley for the defendant submitted that I ought to find that the representation, if made, was that the cost per cremation at $85 depended on the gas price. It can be accepted that that caveat was made in at least the Second Conversation. However, in my view that caveat is covered by the statement that the cost would be about $85. I do not think that caveat made the broad representation uncertain or materially conditional because in my view the evidence strongly supported the inference that Mr Gleeson (and Mr Gaetjens) knew that Boyle used LPG and that LPG was more expensive than natural gas. Further, the confidence with which both gave their estimates showed a general awareness of LPG at about $1 per litre. Mr Boyle estimated that figure per litre as a working price and no witness suggested to the contrary. Further, no one suggested that about $1 was substantially less than the cost for LPG to Mr Boyle in 2011 and 2012.
Mr Wiley also submitted I ought to find that Mr Gleeson explained to Mr Boyle the source and basis of his estimate (being HD90 figures over thousands of cremations). However, Mr Gleeson did not say that he told Mr Boyle that and I accept Mr Boyle’s evidence as to what was said. I think it probable that if it was said, it would have been the subject of more inquiries from Mr Boyle considering how sensitive he was to cost and the availability of the Therm Tec alternative at a lower price.
As to the modem representation, I do not accept it was made, even on Mr Boyle’s own evidence. I accept that it was said to him that the modem would be advantageous, but I do not find it was ever said that the modem would be included in the price quoted. Further, I do not consider that was implied from the discussions. To the extent it might have been, the implication is excluded by the practical effect of the provision of the two quotations, neither of which referred to the modem at all, much less did they suggest the price of the modem was included.
It is convenient also to note that even if the modem representation was made, I do not consider Mr Boyle relied upon it. It was never mentioned nor complained about on the evidence before me until the application to the Small Business Commissioner in May 2011. Further, the additional cost of the modem was only $2,000. I do not accept that it was sufficiently material to Mr Boyle to have affected his entry into the Contract. I will not deal further with the modem issue. Hereafter references to the material representations do not include the modem representation.
ISSUE 2: WERE THE MATERIAL REPRESENTATIONS MISLEADING OR DECEPTIVE?
Relevant principles
Each of the material representations as pleaded and proved were representations as to future matters. The plaintiff did not plead any implied representations of present fact arising out of the representations as to the future. It is well known that the mere fact that a prediction does not come true does not of itself make the misrepresentation misleading or deceptive. As the Court observed in Global Sportsman Pty Ltd v Mirror Newspapers Ltd (1984) 2 FCR 82 at 88:
The non-fulfilment of a promise when the time for performance arrives does not of itself establish that the promisor did not intend to perform it when it was made or that the promisor’s intention lacked any, or any adequate, foundation. Similarly, that a prediction proves inaccurate does not of itself establish that the maker of the prediction did not believe that it would eventuate or that the belief lacked any, or any adequate, foundation. …
An expression of opinion which is identifiable as such conveys no more than that the opinion expressed is held and perhaps that there is a basis for the opinion. At least if those conditions are met, an expression of opinion, however erroneous, misrepresents nothing.
The effect of that judgment was modified by s. 51A Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth) now s. 4 ACL. That section relevantly provides:
4 Misleading representations with respect to future matters
(1) If:
(a) a person makes a representation with respect to any future matter (including the doing of, or the refusing to do, any act); and
(b)the person does not have reasonable grounds for making the representation;
the representation is taken, for the purposes of this Schedule, to be misleading.
(2) For the purposes of applying subsection (1) in relation to a proceeding concerning a representation made with respect to a future matter by:
(a) a party to the proceeding; or
(b) any other person;
the party or other person is taken not to have had reasonable grounds for making the representation, unless evidence is adduced to the contrary.
(3) To avoid doubt, subsection (2) does not:
(a)have the effect that, merely because such evidence to the contrary is adduced, the person who made the representation is taken to have had reasonable grounds for making the representation; or
(b)have the effect of placing on any person an onus of proving that the person who made the representation had reasonable grounds for making the representation.
(4)Subsection (1) does not limit by implication the meaning of a reference in this Schedule to:
(a) a misleading representation; or
(b) a representation that is misleading in a material particular; or
(c) conduct that is misleading or is likely or liable to mislead;
and, in particular, does not imply that a representation that a person makes with respect to any future matter is not misleading merely because the person has reasonable grounds for making the representation.
The correct approach to that section in relation to the issue of evidential and legal onus of proof, has not been authoritatively determined. However, Miller has observed as follows:[26]
[26]RV Miller, Miller’s Australian Competition and Consumer Law (41st ed, 2019, Thomson Reuters) at [ACL.4.200].
Although the exact nature of the onus former TPA s 51A cast on the maker of a representation as to a future matter was not clear, an attempt has been made in ACL s 4 to clarify the position.
The Explanatory Memorandum states:
Section 4 … places an evidentiary burden on a defendant who is alleged to have made a representation as to a future matter that is misleading. When compared to section 51A, the new provision seeks to clarify that … the burden of proof under this section is evidentiary in nature and does not place a legal burden on defendants to prove that representations were not misleading … The clarification of the burden as requiring only evidence of reasonable grounds to be adduced is to reverse the effect of some past court decisions, such as ACCC v IMB Group Pty Ltd, that have interpreted section 51A … as requiring a respondent to prove that he, she or it had reasonable grounds.
The position is as follows:
Unless the person making the representation as to a future matter adduces some evidence of reasonable grounds for making the representation the representation will be taken to be misleading: ss 4(1) and 4(2).
The person will not be taken to have reasonable grounds merely because such evidence is adduced: s 4(3)(a).
On the other hand, the person who adduces such evidence does not bear the onus of establishing that they had reasonable grounds for making the representations: s 4(3)(b).
Even if reasonable grounds are established, that does not mean that the conduct was not misleading: s 4(4).
It would appear that the consequence is that, if the maker of a representation as to a future matter adduces evidence of reasonable grounds and, without that person carrying the legal burden of proof that they had reasonable grounds, the court accepts that grounds were reasonable, then s 4(1) will not apply and the court will decide whether or not the representations were misleading according to general principles. If no evidence of reasonable grounds is adduced, or if the court decides that they were not reasonable, then s 4(1) applies and the alleged representation, if proven, is deemed to be misleading.
As to the interpretation of former TPA s 51A, see Dib Group Pty ltd v Ventouris Enterprises Pty Ltd [2011] NSWCA 300; (2011) 284 ALR 601; North East Equity Pty Ltd v Proud Nominees Pty Ltd [2010] FCAFC 60; (2010) 269 ALR 262; North East Equity Pty Ltd v Proud Nominees Pty Ltd [2012] FCAFC 1; (2012) 285 ALR 217; ACCC v Universal sports Challenge Ltd [2002] FCA 1276; Fubilan Catering Services Ltd v Compass Group (Aust) Pty Ltd [2007] FCA 1205; Australian Naturalcare Products Pty Ltd v Pan Pharmaceuticals Ltd (in liq) [2008] FCAFC 2; (2008) 165 FCR 230.
A respondent who disputes that the alleged representation was made is in a difficult position, as was noted in Cummings v Lewis [1993] FCA 149. In that case Sheppard & Neave JJ observed:
There are many cases … where the principal protagonists are not dishonest or fraudulent. Each gives evidence to the best of his or her ability of conversations which took place before a transaction was entered into or other steps were taken. One party alleges inducement by misleading or deceptive conduct. The other party denies it because he or she said nothing of that kind was said. That evidence is given honestly and to the best of the witness’ recollection. Yet so often a judge will find that party’s evidence unreliable, but it will be rejected, not because it is dishonest but because it is mistaken. The question arises how, from a practical point of view, can a witness in that situation face up to what is to him or her a false position. Evidence needs to be given to show reasonable grounds for the making of a statement that the witness claims never to have made.
Second, the plaintiff’s delay in prosecuting the proceedings resulted in the machine becoming worthless. Thus, by its own fault, the plaintiff cannot make restitution of the cremator. Where practical justice cannot be done between the parties, rescission and restitution of the purchase price is not appropriate: Henjo Investments Pty Ltd v Marrickville Pty Ltd (No 1) 39 FCR 546 at 564-5, where Lockhart J (dealing with sale of a business said to have been induced by misleading conduct) observed that “the longer the time elapsed since the agreement, and the more substantial any deterioration in the intervening period as a result of the purchaser’s management of the business, the more difficult it will be to secure restitution in a manner which does ‘practical justice’.” While rescission can be ordered in such a case as this, it requires a reasonable opportunity for the defendant to retake the cremator and no such opportunity was given in this case because the demand to retake possession was also conditional on payment of damages and there was no express statement to Mr Tropea to take the machine back.
The defendant buttressed this submission by contending that because rescission under s. 237 relies on Court order, the defendant was not obliged to retake possession despite the demand that it do so by the plaintiff (if indeed such a demand could be construed from the dealings with Mr Tropea presumably).
Third, Mr Boyle continued to use the cremator after it was obvious that it was not meeting a performance standard consistent with the $85 representation, and that failure was not part of the reason for demanding repayment in May 2012 in any event. Thus, it was said, rescission is not appropriate because the $85 representation was not an operative cause of the plaintiff deciding to abandon the Contract. Further, there seemed to be an argument that it would not be proper to award rescission because the plaintiff also sought damages, and to give relief analogous to rescission would reward the plaintiff for its inadequate approach to damages.
I do not accept that these matters justify refusal of the relief sought. In my view, an order to avoid the Contract and repay the sums paid under it is an appropriate remedy to address the loss suffered because of the misrepresentation. Some further findings of fact need first to be made.
I refer to paragraphs [37] to [40] above. Based on those matters, I find as a fact that the discussion between Mr Tropea and Mr Boyle communicated as a matter of substance that Mr Boyle wanted to terminate the Contract and get the purchase price back and that he wanted that as a result of the cremator “not working as represented”. I think that also communicated by necessary implication that Boyle did not want to keep the machine. Even if that were in doubt, Mr Boyle make an express demand that the defendant retake possession of the HD60 in the application. I also reject the defendant's suggestion that the $85 representation was not relied upon in that application. A fair reading of the application shows that it was.
I also reject the proposition that the demand that the defendant repay the purchase price and pay damages somehow qualifies or negatives the effectiveness of the communication that the plaintiff wanted the defendant to take back the machine. There is no suggestion that Mr Boyle would not have returned the machine if the purchase price was repaid (or at least that part which had been paid) because of his demand for damages as well. That inference seems unlikely and was not suggested to him.
I find that it was made clear in substance by mid-May 2012 that the plaintiff wanted to rescind the Contract, return the HD60 and get back the money it paid. I find that Major Furnace chose to ignore those demands and to adopt the position of refusing any liability arising out of any representations alleged by Mr Boyle. It adopted that position in May 2012 and maintained it consistently thereafter. The position of Boyle was also articulated in the pleading filed on 13 November 2012. Additionally, Major Furnace defended on the basis of denying any liability. While there was no evidence that Mr Boyle told Major Furnace how the cremator was being dealt with while the proceedings were on foot, neither did Major Furnace make any inquiry. It seems both parties were content to take the chance that they would be vindicated in the proceedings.
Those findings (together with other matters to be identified) sustain the conclusion that an order setting aside the Contract and requiring repayment of the money paid is an appropriate remedy. I explain my reasons.
First, as I have found, the $85 representation did induce entry into the Contract in substitution for entry into the Therm Tec contract. Thus the consequence of the misleading conduct was that the plaintiff was burdened with a cremator it only acquired because of misleading conduct rather than a cremator it otherwise would have purchased (and which it subsequently did purchase and operate satisfactorily thereafter). Where a misrepresentation is made in commercial negotiations which has the outcome identified, the real loss to the plaintiff is being saddled with the unsatisfactory machine it would otherwise not have bought in place of the satisfactory machine it would have bought. In that circumstance, it seems to me that orders to avoid the Contract and repayment of the purchase price paid give effect to the considerations identified by Allsop P in Awad. I hold that view even if it could not be concluded that, but for the $85 representation, the Contract would not have been entered into (see the discussion by Allsop P in Awad at [45] to [46]). In my view, the role of that representation was so rolled up in the overall economic case for the HD60 over the Therm Tec, it would be difficult to separate out the effect of the $85 representation from other inducing factors.
However, given the centrality of the representation to the economics of the acquisition, I consider on the balance of probabilities that without that representation, Mr Boyle would not have been persuaded to contract for the HD60 over the Therm Tec machine.
Second, the plaintiff acted fairly promptly to communicate its wish to terminate and have its money back once it emerged that the HD60 was not performing as Mr Boyle understood it had been promised to perform. No criticism can fairly be leveled at Mr Boyle on this front. Very little time passed between the Contract and an unequivocal demand for the setting aside of the Contract: c.f. Henjo Investments where it was nearly a year before any clear demand for recession was made.[39] Further, Major Furnace by its letter of May 2011 made clear that it did not intend to assist further with the operational performance of the machine unless Mr Boyle paid for that assistance. Similarly, Mr Boyle commenced proceedings to vindicate that position relatively promptly. Despite those matters, Major Furnace took no steps to find out how the machine had been dealt with. In my view, in those circumstances, Major Furnace adopted the position that Boyle had no justified complaint and took the chance on the outcome of the trial. I do not think Major Furnace can now be heard to say that rescission would not be a fair remedy because of the consequences for the machine resulting from the position it adopted.
[39]Henjo Investments Pty Ltd v Marrickville Pty Ltd (No 1) 39 FCR 546 at 563.
The defendant places considerable weight on the delay in the conduct of the proceedings. No evidence was placed before me by either side as to the reason for that delay, though I accept it was considerable. However, the delay was of less significance in my view in circumstances where Boyle had initially acted promptly and Major Furnace chose to assume the plaintiff was wrong in its contentions. Questions of delay might be relevant, however, to interest awarded.
Third, I do not think that the plaintiff is disqualified from the remedy it seeks because it continued to use the HD60 in the period between when it tried to abandon the Contract and when the Therm Tec machine arrived. Given the first matter set out above, the use of the HD60 in the intervening period contributed somewhat to addressing the loss suffered from the decision not to acquire the Therm Tec machine in the first place. A fortiori where Major Furnace had refused to retake possession in the manner I have described.
Fourth, and most important, I do not think the fact that the HD60 was ultimately worthless disqualifies the plaintiff from a remedy of rescission. As I have said, Boyle called on the defendant to retake possession and the defendant chose to take the chance that it did not have to. It was plainly not interested in the fate of the machine and was content to assume it would succeed in its proceedings. By its attitude, it elected to carry the risk of devaluation by abandoning any responsibility for the machine: Munchies Management Pty Ltd v Belperio (1988) 84 ALR 700 at 714; Squibb & Sons Pty Ltd v Tully Corp Pty Ltd (1986) IPR 489 at 512. Further, there was no suggestion in cross examination that Boyle had any reasonable alternative to placing the machine where it did when the Therm Tec machine was delivered and installed. Nor was it suggested that if Mr Boyle had told Major Furnace that he was moving the machine outside, Major Furnace would have collected it.
I have given some thought to whether some adjustments should be made to the order for repayment of the purchase price to reflect contribution of Mr Boyle to the ultimate demise of the HD60 in Cyclone Debbie. However, I was not persuaded that I should do so. As I have said, both parties gambled on being vindicated at trial and neither took steps to secure the HD60 in the meantime. Major Furnace having lost, I see no reason to adjust the order for repayment.
THE COUNTERCLAIM
The plaintiff gave no reason why the counterclaim should succeed if it lost on its claim. Accordingly I dismiss the counterclaim.
ORDERS
The substantive orders are as follows:
(a)The Court declares the Contract void;
(b)The judgment be entered for the plaintiff in the amount of $112,271.10; and
(c)The counterclaim be dismissed.
I will hear the parties as to interest and costs.