CLAIMS FOR LIBEL

Northern Advocate, 3 February 1928, Page 8

CLAIMS FOR LIBEL

DECLARED TRIVIAL.

NOMINAL DAMAGES AWARDED,

AUCKLAND, This Day.

“I do not think this is a case which should have come before the Supreme Court at all. It is extremely trivial, and a little display of reason by the parties would have resulted In there being no cause for action at all. Costs on the Magistrate’s Court scale only will be allowed.” This passage occurred in Mr Justice Reed’s remarks when he gave judgment yesterday for £1 5s on claims for libel amounting to £7OO. The case was a Whakatane one, in which two claims were made, one for £2OO and one for £SOO, by Alexander George Anderson McTavish, ranger and poundkeeper for the Whakatane County, against George Samuel Whiteside, a retired civil engineer. The claim set out that on August 12 last, defendant wrote to the County Council as follows: “Should any garden gate be open, the harassed animals give trouble, while their bullying, insolent driver (meaning plaintiff) takes Scotch leave to trespass in pursuit, over private land.” On July 26, defendant also wrote, referring to plaintiff’s most abusive and objectionable manner, and stated that plaintiff threatened him with personal violence and called him all the vile, filthy and insulting names he could think of.—Press Assn.