SLANDER ACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 15

SLANDER ACTION

SECRETARY'S CLAIM

ECHO. OF NAPIER CARNIVAL

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ■! NAPIEB, March 14. ■ An echo of the successful carnival in January held to celebrate the rebirth of Napier was brought to the of Napier citizens today. A -large number of people attended the Napier Magistrate's Court to hear evidence in a slander action brought by Seymour Percy Spiller, secretary of the , Napier Thirty Thousand Club, against Ernest Arthur "Williams, architect, of . Napier.

Spillcr claimed £50 damages and costs incidental to the action, alleging that Williams had called him "A messer," and had said,".You have messed up everything." Spiller declared that this inferred incompetence. As a result he suffered annoyance and was greatly prejudiced or injured in his credit and reputation, and had been held up to public ridicule. When the case was called Mr. J. Mason, for the plaintiff, said the parties desired, to adjourn, as there ■was a possibility of a settlement.

Counsel later announced that a settlement had been reached, Williams having agreed to make a suitable apology The case was then struck out.

In the statement p£ claim the plaintiff asserted that on January 25 ,at McLean. Park, in the presence of a large number of people, including the plaintiff's wife, Williams falsely and maliciously spoke the words complained of, which meant that * the plaintiff was incompetent to act in the capacity of secretary, and that he had failed to carry out, nor had the ability to carry out, the duties relating to his employment. By reason of this, the claim continued, the plaintiff- had suffered much annoyance, had been greatly prejudiced or injured in credit and reputation, and in the office as secretary had been held-up to public ridicule and contempt. After the conference between himself and Mr. J. Humphries'," wKo ' appeared for the defendant, • Mt: -Mason informed the Magistrate (Mr. A.M. Mowlem,.S.M.) that he was happy to say that the parties had arrived at a settlement and that the defendant had made a suitable apology. Mr. Mdwleni: I ajn very glad to' hear it. vI have read the papers, and to me it seemed, obvious the matter was one for 'a settlement.