THE ISITT LIBEL SUIT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLV, 19 June 1911, Page 6

THE ISITT LIBEL SUIT.

.A SETTLEMENT. {United Pqess Association.) CHRIST-CHURCH, Sunday. A settlement has been arrived at in the libel action, the Rev. L. M. Isitt versus M. Stewart, as follows: The ;iury awarded £SOO damages, subject to the decision of his Honor the Judge cn questions of law raised at the trial. The defence ,pleaded that the publication o£ .Mr Isitt's name in the trade jist was;a privileged one, and that •members of the Association were Entitled to acquaint one another with the names of persons who were en. tered in the list and circulated amongst its members. Theh Judge reserved his decision on tne question of privilege, and no damages would have "had to be paid by the defendant to ithe plaintiff until the Judge had delivered his decision on that point in plaintiff's favour. In the meantime members of the Association who gave Mr Isitt's name for publication in the Trade List arranged with Mr Isitt to pay him £lO, and both his and the defendant's co-Jts in consideration of Mr Isitt abandoning any veTdict which he might obtain against. Mr Stewart, and also refraining from faking any proceedings against the said member. This course .Mr Isitt agreed to, as he had brought, the action for th e purpose of clearing his character and credit, and not for the purpose of obtaining heavy damages. The master will therefore, be settled on these terms.