“WEEDED OUT” STAFF

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 168, 12 April 1935, Page 12

“WEEDED OUT” STAFF

Claim For Libel Succeeds PREJUDICIAL WORDS By Telegraph.—Press Association Invercargill, April 11. Holding that the words “weed out” were prejudicial to persons to whom they related, and saying that there was not need for a firm to hit back harshly at somebody who had been in its employ, but. stating that plaintiff was only one of a number, Mr. E. C. Levvey, S.M., to-day gave judgment for plaintiff for £5O together with costs £B/1/- in an action for libel in which Benjamin Thomas Eastlake, boot salesman. claimed to recover £3OO as damages from John Kingsland and Co., boot importers. The action arose out of an advertisement in the “Southland Daily News” which contained the following words: “We have weeded out our staff and trained our assistants in scientific fitting of footwear and have now a service which is second to none in the Dominion and is yours for the asking at no extra cost to you.” Plaintiff, in his statement of claim, alleged that defendant meant thereby that plaintiff had been discharged from the staff of defendant company as being an inferior salesman and a useless employee and noxious person. He contended that the publication was false and malicious. After giving judgment, his Worship fixed security for appeal at £2l on the amount and costs being paid into court.