SALESMAN'S LIBEL SUIT

Evening Star, Issue 22003, 12 April 1935, Page 16

SALESMAN'S LIBEL SUIT

£SO AWARDED | I’fiß United I’kess Association.) INVERCARGILL, April 11. Holding that the words “ weed out ” were prejudicial to the persons to whom they related, and saying that there was no need for a firm to hit back harshly at somebody who had been in its employ, but stating that the plaintiff was only one of a number, Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M.. to-day gave judgment for the plaintiff for £SO, together with costs, £8 Is, in an action lor libel, in which Benjamin Thomas Eastlake, boot salesman, claimed to recover £ISOO as damages from John Kingsland and Co., boot importers. The action arose out of a newspaper advertisement which contained the following words; —“Wo have weeded out our staff and trained our assistants in the scientific fitting of footwear, and nave now a sendee which is second to none in the dominion, and is yours for the asking at no extra cost to you.” The plaintiff, in his statement of claim, alleged that the defendant meant thereby that the plaintiff had been discharged from the staff of the defendant company as being an inferior salesman and a useless employee and a noxious person. He contended that the publication was false and malicious. After giving judgment, His Worship fixed security for appeal at £2l on that amount and costs being paid into court*