SLANDER CASE ECHO

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 301, 16 September 1930, Page 10

SLANDER CASE ECHO

Strong Protest Made MAGISTRATE’S REMARKS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Rotorua, September 16. A very large meeting, presided over by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, convened by the Returned Soldiers’ Association, was held on Sunday night to protest against the magistrate’s remarks when delivering judgment against Thomas Hulton, in a recent slander case. The following resolution was carried: “That tlie Rotorua U.S.A, and this meeting protest (a) at the harsh, unwarranted statements recently made by the presiding magistrate with regard to tlie late Thomas Henry Hulton in the case Smith v. Hulton, wherein lie referred to Hulton as a thief, blackmailer, perjurer, drunkard, drug addict, and blackguard; (b) that tlie Minister of Justice be requested to institute a public inquiry as to the grounds for such statement, and ns to the reason of tlie magistrate not directing police action against Hulton for perjury, theft and blackmail in order to substantiate his judgment; (c) this meeting desires to place on record its appreciation of the excellent war service rendered by tho late Mr. Hulton, and of his conduct as a citizen of Rotorua during tho last twenty years.” Major R. Dansey and Major W. Sumner, spoke strongly in support of the resolution, which was carried on a show of hands. Hulton was sued by Mrs. Smith, who claimed damages for slanderous statements said to have boon made by him. In awarding Mrs. Smith £l5O damages the magistrate scathingly commented on Hulhon’s conduct. Hulton hnd a seizure in the street the following day, and collapsed. There were 6932 commercial flights in Britain last year, in which 29.312 passengers. 839 tons of cargo, and 99 tons of mail were carried.