VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 August 1926, Page 5

VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF.

IN SLANDER, ACTION

AWARDED £250

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND., Aug. 10. The lie a ring of the action for alleged slander and a claim for £2OOO damages by John Paterson Donald, acting-Cliier Medical Officer for the Cook Islands in 1925, against Trevor Lewis, of Tapu, Thames, settler, was concluded to-day. Mr. lin Lay, for the defence, submitted'that th© case as it stood was perfectly simple. There was a curious, hiatus in the case, but the fact remained that there was a considerable body of complaint in the island. The petition bore tins out. There were a number of grown men who signed it, saying they had no confidence in Dr. Donald. It was agreed that his work should be investigated, so where had he suffered damage? The rumours had been killed and the doctor had received a letter of appreciation. Lewis went to the Islands with his wife, who was a doctor. She would tell how there was a distinct disinclination on the part of the natives to go to Dr. Donald. It became better when Dr. Burton came on the scene. Lewis had never .seen Cowan before, and he carried considerable sway with the natives. He would say that Cowan had told him various things. Cowan had told Lewis certain things concerning the administration of the hospital. The petition was written by Cowan and translated by him. It was true that Lewis felt resentful when Dr. Donald refused to supply drugs which were being used by Mrs. Lewis in her care and attention of the natives on the other side of the island. Lewis had had no hand in the preparation or circulation of the petition, and he was asked to take it to V ellington. He declined unless he was given, a letter to the Minister and that a copy of the petition was left with the Resident Commissioner. That was apparently done. There was no personal malice against the plaintiff. He lived ten miles away from Dr. Donald. Defendant, in evidence, traversed the facts as outlined by his counsel. Defendant’s wife gave' corroborative evidence. Mr. Finlay admitted that the case divided itself into two parts. Did Lewis make these charges ? He put it. that during the discussion with Sir Maui Pom are the latter pumped Levis,, and he told the Minister of the rumours current. He did not make any charges If he said he could vouch for the truth of the statements whv did they not get him before the Commission? Mr. Treadwell dealt at length with the facts of the case. He stressed, the point that “slander sticks in the minds of the public.” The Government had endeavoured to clear itself by an inquiry, and even though the charges were ’ ruled to be unfounded the impression would still linger. Sir Maui Pom are and Mr. Smith had given evidence as private citizens. Mho ooukl say what incalculable harm had been done plaintiff ? Counsel submitted that be was entitled to compensation on account of the mental agony he had snfV verdict- was returned for plaintiff for £250 by a majority of nine to three. Plaintiff was awarded costs.