ALLEGED LIBEL.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20084, 13 November 1930, Page 5

ALLEGED LIBEL.

JUDGMENT FOR DEFENDANT. ;i'r.E3S ASSOCIATION T*L£nn..li.l WANGANUI, November 1-'. In the Supreme Court Dr. Kronfeldt, Medical Superintendent of the Taihape Hospital, claimed from John Edward : Haniill, proprietor of the "Taihape Timeß," the sum of £2OOO, for an alleged libel arising out of an article published on July 18th, wherein it was alleged that by plaintiff's appointment as medical officer the services at the hospital, both medical and surgical, were inefficient, that the lives of patients in need of urgent treatment were in jeopardy, and that plaintiff was not competent to carry nut his duties. Previously the Taihape Hospital had the services of three doctors, but, a dispute arising, the Hospital Board decided to place Dr. Kronfeldt, of Wanganui, in charge. In the article it was stated that when major operations had to be performed the matter had to be arranged between the Medical Superintendent at Wanganui and plaintiff, and that when a major operation was necessary plaintiff had to communicate with Wanganui, and a 3urgeon had to be sent from there, or alternatively one employed locally. It was contended that Uie article inferred that plaintiff was not fit to perform operations, and that this was detrimental as well to his private practice. As a matter of fact, plaintiff did perform the operations. After hearing the evidence of plaintiff to the effect that the article tended to belittle him, Mr Treadwcll, for the defence, moved that the case be withdrawn from the jury, as libel had not been established and no defamatory meaning eould be taken from the article. Mr Justice Ostler reserved his decision until after the adjournment. After considering the matter in the luncheon hour, his Honour withdrew the case from the jury, and gave judgment in favour of defendant. He pointed out that, read properly and fairly, the article was merely directed to criticise the Hospital Board in its action in passing ft motion dispensing with the services of three doctors and substituting one. "* Judgment was given for defendant.