ACTION FOR DEFAMATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16581, 3 July 1917, Page 6

ACTION FOR DEFAMATION.

SMALL DAMAGES AWARDED.

An action in which William Simpson, of Takapuna, labourer (Mr. W. E. Hackett), claimed £20 as damages, for alleged malicious defamation, from John Olson, of Takapuna, labourer (Mr. ~. M. Mowlem), was heard by Mr. C. G. Kettle, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. It was alleged that the defendant had published to Mr. H. Edgar, plaintiff's employer, and to a Mr. R. J. Casley, an allegation that Simpson had taken the sum of £1 16s 8d from defendant's pocket while the latter was away from a bedroom in the house of defendant's mother-in-law, at Takapuna. Evidence was given by Messrs. Casley and Edgar, both of whom testified defendant had made representations of plaintiffs dishonesty. Mr. Mowlem raised several nonsuit points claiming privileged communication, but these were over-ruled by Mr. Kettle Defendant denied he had made any specific allegation of plaintiff's dishonesty. j 1 / 1 " 8 judgment for plaintiff for £5 and £3 6s costs, the magistrate said he had no reason to doubt the evidence tendered for plaintiff, whose object was to clear his character, rather than to obtain damages.