CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9539, 16 June 1911, Page 5

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.

NELSON CASES,

(FUR PRESS AwnnriTinw.} • NELSON. Juno 14. At {ho Supreme Court,'in t!io_action; of.-: Richardson v. tlio Nelson Evening AJail,.; a claim for £3OOO damages for alleged libel, the. jury returned: a verdict-, for defendants. Plaintiff's counsel intimated his; intention of moving to- set tlio verdict aside. Thocase of Eflio N. Richardson, widow,; v. 0. J, Harley, solicitor, a claim', or. £3OOO for alleged slander, arose , under;: the same circumstances;, as the' former action. Mrs Richardsoii'was defendant/in. the action brought by the. \\ aimea. County.. Council in the S.M. Court for encroaching -i on a public road. ■ appeared, for tho Council, and during the case, .the; Crown grant of Mrs Richardson's property was put in containing jiplan. Mr Harley inspected the exhibit... and mado .a. romark to the eflect that it had been altered since he had last seen it, tho reply suggesting that tho plaintiff in the present action had tampered with the document. Tho Registrar, of Deeds, at the magistrate's request, compared the grant with the copy in his possession, and pronounced no alteration had beon made, lne magistrate thereupon said tho statement should bo withdrawn, which, howover, Mr Ilarley did not do, and Mrs Richardson proceeded for alleged slander. Mr Jeliicoo appeared for the plaintiff, and Ml' Maginnity for defendant. When plaintiff s case closed, Mr Maginnitv moved for a nonsuit, on tho grounds that a solicitor was-pro-tected bv privilege in' statements made in an action. After hearing lengthy argumentv his Honor uphold tho contention, and nonsuited plaintiff with costs.