WOMEN AT LAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 169, 18 July 1924, Page 9

WOMEN AT LAW.

ACTIOSf FOR SLANDER. Some strange cases arc Tjrought before the Magistrate's Court in which the litigants are of the "gentler sex." Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., made short work yesterday afternoon of a claim for £15 damages for alleged slander. Mrs. Nettie Hill (Mr. Wilson) sued JUrs. Lena Hatch (Mr. Schramm) to recover damages for alleged slander. The words complained of were "Clean your dirty house. You were bound over to keep the peace once, and I will have iyou bound over to keep the peace again." It was claimed that defendant thereby meant that plaintiff had committed' some criminal offence, which was not true. It was further complained that defendant subsequently said: "It's a pity you didn't have something better to do than sending lawyer's letters, you thing." It was complained that defendant thereby meant that plaintiff was an immoral character. After reading through, the complaint, Mr. Hunt said: "Even supposing these words were used, where is the slander?" Mr. Schramm: We claim there has not been any slander by defendant. Mr. Wilson: There is a suggestion that my Client was ■bound over to keep the pfiace, which implies she had done something of a criminal nature. Mr. Hunt: A person may be bound over to keep the peace and yet not have been charged with a criminal offence. You have no authority to show that such a statement is slanderous. If • the words were used there might be a case in the lower Court under the Justice of the Peace Act, for using them, but it is useless bringing ;an action here for damages fof slander. Mr. Schramm: I may say, the defendant denies that she ever used the words. I Mr. Hunt: There is no cause of action for slander. Plaintiff is non-suited, with costs £1 1/. One woman in Court asked, "What about my costs for attending?" Mr. Hunt: She has had a day in town. I see a number of women in Court. (Mr. Schramm: There is quite a crowd of them present to hear the case, but they have been disappointed. Mr. Hunt: The Court has something else to do than waste time on these cases. Of course, I know solicitors cannot well help bringing them into Court, I had another one this week, where £200 was wanted for damages. If they will bring these cases into Court they must pay the costs.