LIBEL CASE

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32589, 24 April 1971, Page 2

LIBEL CASE

County to pay $B5OO (N.Z. Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 23. The Clutha County Council is to pay $B5OO to a former hydatids control officer, Mr Raymond Stanley Ferrier, in full and final settlement of Mr Ferrier’s claim for libel, it was decided at this week’s council meeting. Mr Ferrier was awarded $10,500 damages and costs by a jury in a libel action against the council and the County Clerk, Mr John Ibbetson. The council was the first defendant and Mr Ibbotson the second defendant in a $20,000 action brought by Mr Ferrier. Mr Ferrier was dismissed from his position as hydatids control officer with the council in February, 1965, two days after a letter written by Mr Ibbotson was presented to a meeting of the Clutha Hydatids Control Committee. JURY’S DECISION The jury decided the letter was defamatory, and that it was activated by malice on Mr Ibbotson’s part. The defendants were given a calendar month to move the judgment was not in accordance with the evidence. A letter received by the council from its solicitors advised that, after consultation with Mr Ferrier’s solicitor, agreement had been reached on a figure of $B5OO, on the strict understanding that settlement be effected immediately.