CHRISTCHURCH LIBEL ACTIONS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9586, 2 September 1913, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH LIBEL ACTIONS.

LYTTELTON times company TWICE MI'LCTED.

(Per Press Asrohauon.) \ CHRISTCIICRCiT. Sept: 1. At the Supremo Court .the action of John Alexander Newel I v. die Ly Melton Tinas Company was heard. Plaintiff dairuad £JOOO "damages for alleged Kbel arising cat of un arUcle published iu the Star of May 17 reflecting on plaintiff in his capacity r.s gaol »urg«on. The statement of defence admitted that the st:.teliienia in tho article \v<ro untrue, but pleaded tlust publication of un apology had been offered, together with £IOO. which the plaintiff had refuacd. Defendante brought £IOO into Court a« sufficient to satisfy th» claim. The jury retired for 20 minutes, and on returning announced a verdict for plaintiff with £303 damages. Judgment with costs as' per scale was entered accordingly, but costs for a second counsel was i.ur. allowed.

A SECOND ACTION. Tlie action, Alexander Adair Jonston v. tho Lyttvlton Times Company, was heard. Plaintiff claimed £IOOO damages for libel contained, in a latter written by a correspondent to the editor of tho Lylteiton Times, ami published in that newopepcr on June 29. The statement of claim .set out thai ths plaintiff was a Fellow of the. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, and tliat as a result of criticisms of the animal home maintained by the secretary of tin- Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Animals the arrangements under which ha was to control the home were published in the Lytielton Time* on Julv 23, and later a letter .signed "Veritas" was published slating thai dogs were destroyed by means of strychnine.

Plaintiff said the eta!', merits contained in the letter implied tha( lie had wantonly and cruelly destroyed dogs, and that i«> was guilty of culpable ignorance in the exercise of his professional duties. The statement of defence was that tho defendant company had offered \j publish an apolcigy «:>! to pay his costs, and that tho letter had been published without any malice or attempt lo do injury. After a. retirement of Bftj ninut** the jury returned .with a verdict r.v ardii ■£ liio plaintiff £lO damages Judgment wa« tittered accordingly with co ;j.