SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 15 May 1933, Page 6

SUPREME COURT

,'Z 'er Press Association — Copyright )

I PALMERSTON NORTH, May 15. 1 Jn the Supreme Court, Mr Justice Reed gave judgment in favour of the Atlantic Union Oil 'Coy., 'Ltd., a/nd’ the Vacuum Oil Proprietory Ltd., each of whom proceeded against Jane s Henry Bodle, service station owner, and Spooner’s Ltd., printers, alleging throe instances of libel concerning plaintiffs fn respect of the issue of pamphlets. The same plaintiffs also took one acL ion each against Bodle, and Watson and Eyre Ltd., printers, alleging libel. The total claimed was £ISOO on the six allegations in respect of Bodle and Spooner’s, £SOO in respect of Bodle, and Watson Eyre. Counsel for plaintiffs did not press for heavy penalties however, but intimated that , nominal damages would be acceptable to express the view of the Court.

Spooner’ and Watson Eyrie admitted liability and apologised. Bodle defended his action, and after lengthy evidence the Judge gave his verdict fir the plaintiffs for £lO in respect of each allegation, the total being £6O in the case of Bodle and Spooner’s, and £2O in the case of Bodle, and Watson and Eyrie, As the cases wore heard together, only one set if costs were allowed, and Bodle was held liable for these. In his judgment His Honour said there wa s not a little evidence called in support of the plea, of justification that plaintjff, 3 “manipulated” invoices to “dodge” or “fake” taxation. There w«s not a scentilla of evidence of manipulation or faking income tax returns. It was perfectly obvious that nothing of the kind occurred.* ■'' ♦ ;■