£500 DAMAGES.

Grey River Argus, 27 April 1929, Page 6

£500 DAMAGES.

For Queensland M.P. ■ _ _ ■ I ■ ■ ■ BRISBANE, April 11. Damages to the extent of £5OO with costs, were awarded to Mr Randolph Bedford, Labour M. L. A. for Warrego, iu the Supreme Court, before Mr Justice Douglas and a jury, this afternoon. The case was an action for defamation against the Western Suu Newspaper Ltd, proprietor of a newspaper called the “Western Sun,” published at Charleville; Leslie Seymour Cook, the publisher of the said newspaper; and John M‘Donald Hardcastle, the printer of the said newspaper. The morning session of the Court was devoted to counsel’s addresses, and the jury retired before the lunch adjournment. At 2.15 p.m. the jury returned with their verdict. They found that the matter complained of was made by Cook and Hardcastle, and was defamatory, and was not published in good faith for the public benefit. It awarded plaintiff £5OO damages. Judgment was accordingly entered for the plaintiff against defendants Cook and Hardcastle for £5OO, with costs. Regarding the claim against the Western Sun Newspaper Ltd., judgment was entered for the defendant company, but the suggestion of costs was deferred.