GIRLS’ SCHOOL LIBELLED

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 April 1932, Page 12

GIRLS’ SCHOOL LIBELLED

DAMAGES FOR HEADMISTRESS

LONDON, February 20

A settlement was announced to Lord Hewart in the King’s Bench Division yesterday of a libel action arising out of the publication of the novel, “Children Be Happy,” which had already been the subject of proceedings in the Chancery Division. Air. V. R. Aranson, for Aliss Edith Alary Julia Lloyd, said that she was headmistress and part owner of a large school for girls. The name of the school appeared in the statement of claim, but, subject to the approval of tho court, it was thought better not to make it public. Miss Rosalind Wade, one of the defendants, was formerly a pupil at the school, and was the authoress of the novel.

Tho other defendants were Victor Gollanez, Ltd., and Camelot Press Ltd., publishers and printers respectively of the book.

The novel depicted scenes of life at a girls’ school. Under a very thin veil of disguise the description was that of Miss Lloyd’s school, and the character of headmistress was a description of Miss Lloyd. There were many points of resemblance, and the book related as having taken place at the school a number of incidents of a highly undesirable and scandalous character. The book further described attempts by the headmistress to deal with the incidents. If those attempts were true they revealed her to be inefficient and quite unfitted to be headmistress of a large school. Miss Lloyd said, added Mr. Aranson, that there was not a word of truth in any of the statements as applied to her or her school . The school was founded in 1899 by Miss Lloyd, and it had now 230 pupols. As soon as the matter was brought to the notice of the publishers and printers of the book they did all they reasonably could to undo the mischief. Steps were taken to withdraw the book from circulation, and the publishers and printers agreed to pay Miss Lloyd a substantial su mas damages and costs.

An interlocutory injunction was obtained against Aliss Wade restraining her from further circulation of the book. She was now prepared to agree •that that injunction should be made perpetual, and to judgment being given againsr. her.

The Hon. S. O. Henn Collins, foi' the publishers and printers, said that the book was published in complete ignorance of any similarity between the character described and Miss Lloyd. They had satisfied themselves that Miss Lloyd’s school was of the highest character, and had always been conducted in a proper and efficient manner. They expressed their sincere regret to Miss Lloyd for any loss, suffering or inconvenience the publication of tho book had caused her. Mr. Gerald Gardiner, for Miss Wade, said that she never intended her book to refer to Miss Lloyd or the school. The incidents described in the novel were purely fictitious, and had no reference to anything that had occurred at Miss Lloyd’s school. She desired to express her fullest regret that the book had been published. Lord Hewart assented to the terms of the settlement.