VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF. NOMINAL DAMAGES WITHOUT COSTS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XX, Issue 2462, 24 June 1893, Page 2

VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF. NOMINAL DAMAGES WITHOUT COSTS.

(PEK PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NAPIER, June 24. The following were the issues framed by His Honor, with the answers by the jury : 1. Are the publications or either of them | defamatory to the plaintiff?— Yes. 2. If so, is the defamatory matter fair and bona fide comment on the acts and condaot of j the plaintiff ?— No. 3. Is the defamatory matter so far as not bona fide comment true ? — No. 4. If the defamatory matter ib neither bona fide comment nor true, what damages, if any, is plaintiff entitled to ?—JBI.? — JBI. The jury in the Befiß-Cadman case retired at 11.30. The drift of the Chief Justice's summing np was that the jury bad not to determine whether Cadman had been dealing io native lands while Native Minister. His own evidence and that of Smith's olea*riy showed tbat he was at least indirectly interested in suob purchases. The alleged libel was that he had used bis position and influence to further such purchases, and it was for tbe jury to say whether that had been proved. At 2.80 o'olock the jury asked whether if one item in the allegations was considered libellous they should give a verdict for plaintiff. His Honor replied in the affirmative. At 4.10 o'olock they again returned and asked what amount of damages would carry the costs. His Honor said the question of cost 'rested with the Jadge, but 40s was usually con. sidered to carry tbe costs, and he should so regard such a verdict. The jury, after a total absence of nearly seven hoars, returned a verdict for plaintiff for £1. Judgment was entered up accordingly without costs.