SLANDER CASE SETTLED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 19 August 1920, Page 4

SLANDER CASE SETTLED

—— DEFENDANT PAYS £6o°

(United Press Association)

' WELLINGTON, This Lay. The case Arthur Leigh Hunt.. late, general manager of the New Zoa.mul Fanners’ Co-op. Distribution to, Ltd., versus John Joseph Bryce, of Hi nan, now chairman oi the company ? a «iaini i’er' £3OOO damages for alleged slander, has been .settled, in April last- oil" dames Wilson, chairman of the company, and H. J. Richards, John Laisillic, and Thomas Moss, directors oi tho company, together with Mr Hunt, general manager, vacated their respective positions, a fact which caused considerable • surprise in business circ.es, particularly as all, except Air Moss, had been connected with the company since its inception 17 years ago Last year tho companv handled 26,000 bales of wool. and had a turnover oi £1,048,000, and made a proht oi £14,000. When called on at the Supreme Court to-day, Sir John Findlay, ior the comnanv, announced that the case had been settled. Ho had been instructed ]jv tho defendant to say that he \miudrew any imputation made, either .or the personal character or genera] business competency of Mr Hunt, and expressed his regret for having mime statements which were regarded as injurious to Mv. Hunt's reputation aim character. The defendant wmhoa >; sav that he never bad it m ln« minu to' impute misconduct to Sir. Hunt, oj inefliciency while acting us of the, company ; but as ho recognised the statements made by him might lend themselves to that interpretation lie nbsohite.lv withdrew any imputation of the kind. Defendant would pay £6OO towards the cost and expenses. The case, was accordingly withdrawn.