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Conclude Evidence In Claim For £SOOO

(P.A.)

WELLINGTON, This Day

The hearing of a claim by the Young Men's Christian Association, Wellington, against “Truth (N.Z.), Ltd.,” and the publisher, William Caider Crisp, for £SOOO damages for alleged libel, was continued in the Supreme Court today before the Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers), and a jury of 12. . , , The vlaim is based on an article published in “Truth” on August 23. Dr O. C. Mazengarb appeared for the Y.M.C.A. and Mr. H. F. O'Leary, K.C., with him Mr. J. H. Dunn, for the defendant company, and Mr G. G. G. Watson for Crisr>Nightly Occurrence

Keith Roland Hamblyn, 18, former resident at the Y.M.C.A., said that as a night worker he returned very late, about 4 a.m. Gambling in the main lounge was a nightly occurrence at that hour. That went on for two months at least. This was from four to six months ago. He had seen gambling in one of me bedrooms. but that would be at least six months before the article appeared. He had lest articles of clothing from the drying-room and on another occasion he had lost, his watch. Witness described bathing and sanitary facilities as unsatisfactory and as not kept clean. Patriotic linen was marked in tv/o ways. One marking specified the Wellington Association and the other just ihe Patriotic Association. He had given no information at all io “Truth,” and did not know the article was being written until it had appeared. He attended the residents’ meeting and took notes. He supplied a copy of his notes to “Truth.” Markings on Linen

Questioned about the markings on the linen, he said that he was convinced there were two different stamps, one of wmen was “Wellington Patriotic.” Witness said he had definitely seen sheets stamped "National .Patriotic” and “Wellington Patriotic” in the residents’ section. Beverley May Aitken, clerk, said she was a member of the canteen group, of the W.W.S.A. She had been going to the Y.M.C.A. once a fortnight during the first two years. She had assisted in making beds in the basement and also had helped in making beds in the boys’ dormitory upstairs. There were some showers in the basement near the place where the beds were made. The dtickbonrds were very slimy. In the alleyway beside the basement there had been garbage tins and there was an unsavoury smell in the basement which could be from them. The basement was certainly unsuitable for sleeping accommodation. It seemed damp and dingy and there was not much ventilation. Mattresses were c£ .straw and the blankets could have done with a washing. She felt dirty after having made them. She carried cn because she diet not want to let the group and convener down. She finally gave up the work because- she did not like the conditions under which she was working. Condition cf Crockery

She had seen bottles of sauce spilt on tablecloths and just left t.o dry and continue in use. The majority of the crockery was cracked and chipped. She had read the “Truth” article, and after it appeared the cloths were changed more frequently and they got a lot of new saucers. Before that there were mere cups than saucers. Mona Eva Hurley, clerk, said she had been a member of the canteen section of the W.W.S.A. for three years and had done voluntary work at the Y.M.C.A. up tc last Christmas, when she went to the Combined Services Hostel because she liked the conditions better. Witness said she did not think the basement was satisfactory. It was of concrete the floors were dirty, and tiieie was an unusually offensive smell. Housemaid's Evidence Kathleen Smith, housemaid, employed at the Y.M.C.A. for the past year, except for periods of illness, said she was in charge of the third floor rooms. The dav she arrived Mrs. Good told her she might find the place in a bit of a mess. There had been no maid for three days. It was dirty, the dust was thick and rubbish was lying round. There were about 28 rooms on her floor. In two bedrooms there was not enough room to pull out the beds from the walls to make them. She had reported the beds being in a bad condition, .with sagging wire mattresses, #nd it was long periods before they were repaired. There were several army blankets used in that department, but they had now been collected. There were some sheets stamped “Patriotic” still used in the residents’ section. » Gn occasions when she was away nothing was done to the rooms in her absence. Window-cleaning started the day the article appeared. At lunchtime the matron said there would probably be inspectors up and witness was to get the passages cleaned up and the place looking as nice as possible. “Dilapidated, Depressing”

Forms to notify vacant beds, “boys in bed.” and any damage in their area were given them after the article appeared. They had to sign them. This had now been discontinued. Herbert Burniston Riggs, company man-

ager. said he was divisional officer of the E.F.S.. in charge of No. 1 area, including the whole of the business and shipping area. One of five posts at which men were billeted was the Y.M.C.A. Witness stayed there himself on the second floor. It 'was very dilapidated and depressing, and attention and service was poor. The conveniences and lavatories were poorly kept, and the only redeeming point was the hot-water service. He only feci there as often as lie hsd to. The food

was very inadequate, and complaints met with no success. The matter was solved by finding other accommodation and transferring most of the men. Five had to remain to cover fire-risk in the district, and that work was generally allotted to men who did not play the game, as a punishment. Witness said this had taken place twe years ago and earlier. That concluded evidence for the defence, said Mr. O’Leary. Mr. Watson intimated that he did not proccse to call evidence. Dr. Mazengarb applied for permission to recall Wills to give evidence in rebuttal on the branding of “Patriotic’ linen. Wills said the Y.M.C.A. s own linen was stamped shortly alter his arrival. Witness said he saw the Hon. Vincent Ward and obtained his consent to using linen in the general pool, as had been operating.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19441201.2.82

Bibliographic details

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 6

Word Count
1,062

Conclude Evidence In Claim For £5000 Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 6

Conclude Evidence In Claim For £5000 Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 6

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