MR. SEMPLE SLANDERED.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 104, 1 May 1920, Page 12

MR. SEMPLE SLANDERED.

AN UNRESERVED APOLOGT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, this day. In tho Magistrate's Court to-day Robert Semple, late member for Wellington South, sought to recover £50 damages from Sydney John Sapsford, for slander alleged to have been spoken by the defendant to Walter Hadley in December last. It was alleged that Sapsford had stated before the Parliamentary election, that Semple had kejjfc, a house of ill-fame under license ia Brisbane, and had asked whether Hadley -would vote for such a man. Mr. O'Leary appeared for defendant, and, or. his behalf, tendered an unreserved apology to Mr. Semple. He said the statement had been made during the heat of an argument, without thought of the seriousness of the allegation. Defendant admitted frankly that there was no justification for such a statement. Mr- Semple had accepted the- apology, and agreed to take a comparatively small sum of money, sufficient to cover expenses. Mr. Organ, counsel for Mr. Semple. accepted the apology, and said he was quite prepared to believe defendant was not the originator of the statement. Mr. Riddell, S.M., agreed to the closing of-the matter.