"STORM IN A TEA CUP."

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 166, 15 July 1924, Page 7

"STORM IN A TEA CUP."

ALLEGED SLANDER DENIED. "This is a storm in a teacup, and yet you want f2OO damages for it," remarked Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when a case was opened. The plaintiff, George A. Denning (Mr. Martelli) sued Mr. and Mrs. George Milliner (Mr. J. B. Johnstone) to I recover £200 damages. It was alleged that Mrs. Milliner had called out to plaintiff, "Your father has been in prison." Mr. Johnstone denied that the words had ever been used, and added, "and we state without any reserve that if such words had been used there were no grounds for using them." Mr. Hunt: Well, is that not enough? Mr. Martelli: My client claims the words were defamatory. ' Mr. Hunt: What more do you want? It has been stated publicly that the man has never been in gaoL His character is therefore vindicated. To ask for £200 damages as well is ridiculous. After hearing a lot of evidence Mr. Hunt nonsuited the plaintiff. His Worship said each party could pay their own costs. The position was that two boys said the words were used, and two adults said they were not used.