SON SUES FATHER

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 10 November 1932, Page 6

SON SUES FATHER

SLANDER ACTION FAILS. C LAI AI FOR £SOO DAAIAGES. (By Telegraph—Press Association). AVELLINGTON, Nov. 9. An action seeking £SOO damages for alleged slander was heard in the Supreme Court to-day by the Chief Justice and a jury. A son was the plaintiff and his father the defendant. The plaintiff, Clifford George Jackson, is a company manager in Wellington. The defendant, George Henry Jackson, is a paint manufacturer in Wellington. Plaintiff alleged that on frequent occasions in June, July, August and September defendant falsely and maliciously used the following words in reference to him: “He has stolen tons of stuff out of the factory. He has taken it out in the dead of night, and he has robbed me of cash out of the safe” (meaning a safe in the factory). In consequence, said plaintiff, his reputation had been seriously affected, and he had lost his situation as manager in the employ of .G. H. Jackson and Co., Ltd., a position he had held for two years. The defence was a denial that the words complained of had been used by defendant. After hearing the evidence for the plaintiff the allegation regarding the taking of stuff from the factory was withdrawn and the second charge was amended. Counsel for the defendant said that all tlie case amounted to was a father reprimanding his son for not obeying instructions. The publication of slander, he said, was not proved by the evidence. The jury found for defendant, and a verdict was returned accordingly, with costs against tlie plaintiff.