TWO POUND NOTES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 124, 30 May 1927, Page 10

TWO POUND NOTES

LOST FROM A SHOP

ACTION FOB ALLEGED SLANDER

An action in which Annie Janet Buddicom, a domestic, claimed £501 damages for alleged slander against Joseph Barnao, grocer, of Island Bay, heard by Mr. Justice MacGregor^and a jury in the Supreme Court to-day. The plaintiff's statement was that in February,'while she-was in the employment of Barnao, he, in the presence of several persons, falsely and maliciously, spoke and published of her the words "you have stolen the money," referring to £2 which he alleged had been stolen from a receptacle in ' his premises. Notwithstanding her denial, Barnao persisted in his accusation, and the plaintiff said she was compelled to submit to the indignity' of being searched, and was then confronted by a policeman and again charged with the offence. Miss Buddicom said she lost her situation, and was for some time unemployed. ■■'■.-.■, Barnao denied that he had accused the girl of the theft, and said that, having found that money was missing, he informed.the plaintiff and inquired if she could afford him any assistance in tracing it. He denied that he caused her to suffer any indignity, and said that Miss Buddicom insisted on being searched. He denied that-she had lost her situation, and said she had'terminated her employment voluntarily. Further, he said that if he did accuse the plaintiff. (which was' denied) the words were spoken .on a privileged ■ occasion and without malice, and if he did use the words* there was no publication of them. Mr." T. M.Wilford appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. P. J. O'Began for the defendant, . :•. - (Proceeding.)