SEQUEL TO ELECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 245, 15 September 1932, Page 6

SEQUEL TO ELECTION.

ACTION AGAINST COE NT Y CHAIRMAN.

Per Press Association

NEW PLYMOUTH, Sept. 13. Alfred Corkhill, ex-chairman of the Inglewood County Council, who was defeated at tire last elections, sued Robert Stuart, the present chairman, for £125 damages, alleging that slanderous statements had been made in the course of his campaign. Botu candidates contested the same riding

The claim was for £IOO genera damages and £25 for loss of office m county chairman.

The statement of claim set out various statements that were alleged to be false and malicious. The first wathat plaintiff had taken county men off the roads to do private work on his own private road, and that eigin cases of county benzine were given tinmen to get to and from his farm. Counsel for defendant indicated that the defence was (first) that the statements were not made as set out, and (secondly) any statements made were tnie and would be justified. Referring to some of those enumerated, he saia they were fair comment and net libellous, and that in any case the occasions (addresses to ratepayers) were* clearly privileged. The hearing was adjourned.