DEFAMATION ALLEGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 198, 23 August 1928, Page 9

DEFAMATION ALLEGED.

WOMAN'S PURCHASE OF SHOES. ■ DEMAND FOR PAYMENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, Wednesday. A letter written by Mrs. Agnes Riordan and sent, registered, to Mrs. Myrtle McLeod, led to an action in the Magistrate's Court to-day for defamation of character. Mrs. Riordan asserted in the letter that Mrs. McLeod had purchased shoes valued at £1 6/6 in her (Mrs. Riordan's) name. Mrs. Riordan threatened to report the alleged action to the police if Mrs. McLeod did not pay the account for the shoes.

Counsel for Mrs. Riordan said the letter was foolish, though true. Mr. Luxford, S.M.: It was more than a foolish letter. It seems to me an attempt was made to extort money under the threat of a criminal prosecution. If money is demanded it comes under the heading of blackmail, even if the allegations are true. Muriel Kernohan, shop assistant, said she had sold shoes on April 5 to Mrs. McLeod, whom she did not then know, and who stated they were being bought for Mrs. Riordon, whom witness knew by sight.

His Worship, in reserving his decision on the question of whether the letter had in the legal sense been "published," said if this were proved plaintiff was entitled to damages.