ACCUSED OF CHEATING

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 3

ACCUSED OF CHEATING

ACTION FOR SLANDER FOLLOWS DAMAGES OF £3 AWARDED [Pee United Phess Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 10. An accusation of cheating made at a euchre tournament conducted by the Toy Dog and Cat Club on October 23. led to a slander action in the Magistrate’s Court to-day before Mr F. F. Reid, S.M. The plaintiff was Mrs E. Edwardson, of 159 Bealey Avenue, and the defendant was Mrs Lilly Lister, a widow, of 248 Lichfield street. At the tournament prizes were competed for, and the scores were recorded by marks punched in the competitors’ cards.' Mrs Edwardson alleged that Mrs Lister had said at the tourney that she (plaintiff) had a pair of nippers of her own, and punched her own card. She claimed £lO damages. It was also alleged that Mrs Lister had repeated the statement on the following evening at another tournament. After hearing the evidence, the Magistrate said that the defendant had insisted that the plaintiff had. a pair of nippers, which was denied.' The defendant had accused the plaintiff of a very flagrant form of cheating, and allegations of that kind must be proved beyond reasonable doubt. The defendant, he thought, had suspected irregularity, and had dashed -to the secretary - and told him.' That might have been excusable, but she had repeated her charge on another occasion. Tho defendant must not say on.mere: suspicion such grave things about another person. The magistrate awarded damages amounting to £3, with costs.