ACTION FOR SLANDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19201, 15 December 1925, Page 14

ACTION FOR SLANDER.

A BANDMASTER'S COMPLAINT, SMALL DAMAGES AWARDED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION. ] FALMEESTON NORTH. Monday. An action was heard in the Supremo Court to-day in which John Golder, jeweller, of Foxton, claimed from David Brooks, platelayer, of Foxton, £SOO damages for alleged slander. The statement of claim set out that plaintiff for some time past had been conductor and bandmaster of the Foxton Silver Band, of which defendant was a member; that on or about August 29, 1925, defendant allegedly falsely and maliciously spoke and published of and concerning plaintiff to .lack Madden, also a member of the band, the following words: "I have enough papers in my pocket to put Johnnie Golder in gaol"; that defendant thereby meant that plaintiff had been guilty of a crime punishable by imprisonment; and that defendant had in his possession sufficient evidence to prove commission of such crime. Further, that *"«» or about September 10, in the bandroom, defendant, allegedly spoke and published to James Charles Aitcheson and Joseph Hoffman, both members of the band, practically the same words already quoted, such words having the meaning already alleged. The statement of defence denied that defendant spoke to the persons named, or others, the words complained of, or similar words; and also denied that the words set out had the meaning alleged or a defamatory mean ing. At the conclusion of the evidence His Honor said the case was not one for heavy damages, and gave judgment for £l2 10s in each of the two causes of action. The case should have been heard in the Magistrate's Court, he said, and costs would be on the scale of that Court.