KIORE SLANDER ACTION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 8 March 1927, Page 10

KIORE SLANDER ACTION.

MAGISTRATE’S RESERVED DECISION. SMALL DAMAGES AWARDED. At the Stratford Court yesterday reserved judgment was given in the ease wherein Frederick George Stockley, farmer of Kiore, claimed a total of £‘2oo from Alexander Grey, Stewart, also a farmer of Kiore, on three courts of alleged slander published by defendant at the Kiore railway station in the presence of witness. Stockley also claimed £25 from Stewart for an assault. The statements complained of were as follows: —

“My cow has been shot. It is fairly obvious that there is only one man in Kiore who would do it, and that man is .Fred Stockley.”

“You shot my cow, did you or did you not? Tell me truly.”

“You shot my cow, did you or .did you not? Tell the truth. There is nobody else dirty enough to do it. You are' the only man that’s got a gun You are the only man that could have done it. ’ ’ Plaintiff iclainnetl £OO damages in respect of the first statement and £7O for the other tw r o.

In reviewing the evidence, Mr R. W. Tate, S.M., pointed out that defendant admitted using the second set of words complained of, and at the request of plaintiff crossed the platform and repeated the accusation before Messrs Hine, Phillips and others. “I find that the first defamatory statement is not proved and I do not believe that at the same time this slander was alleged to have been published, the defendant knew' that his cow had been shot. I therefore find for the |defendant on that count,” stated the judgment. Judgment was given plaintiff on the second and third statements for £5 in each case.

Dealing with the alleged assault and the consequent claim for £25, the magistrate found that there had been, a technical assault, and that the plaintiff was entitled to security from such assaults. He did not, however, think the case one for substantial damages, and awarded the plaintiff 2,05. Costs amounted to £0 9 s.—Abridged from “News.”