ACTION FOR SLANDER.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 156, 2 July 1917, Page 2

ACTION FOR SLANDER.

At the Magistrate's Court this morning. before Mr. C. C. Kettle. S.M.. William Simpson, of Takapuna (Mr. W. K. Hackett), brought an action against • lohn Olson, of Takapuna I.Mr. Mowlem), whereby the plaintiff claimed the sum of 120 for malicious defamation published by the defendant against plaintiff to Richard John Canley and Hans Edgar, his employer. The defamation consisted in an allegation made by the defendant that the plaintiff had taken money to the extent of £2 from the defendant's trousers pocket whilst defendant was away from a bedroom at the house of defendant's mother-in-law at Takapuna. Evidence was given in support of the plaintiff's claim by Messrs. Casley and Edgar, who testified that defendant hud made to them a representation of plaintiff's dishonesty. Mr. Mowlem, for the defence, raked several nonsuit points of privileged communication, but these were overruled by his Worship. Defendant gave evidence denying that he had made any specific allegation of plaintiff's dishonesty. In giving his decision, his Worship stated he had no reason for not accepting the evidence given in support of plaintiff's case, and as the plaintiff's object was rather to clear his character than for the purpose of obtaining damages, the magistrate awarded the sum of £5, being £2 10/ each in respect of the several defamatory statements. .lodgment would therefore be for the .-urn of £8 6/, the costs amounting to £.1 o.'.