£2500 DAMAGES CLAIM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21516, 13 June 1933, Page 12

£2500 DAMAGES CLAIM

ALLEGATION OF SLANDER BUSINESS DEAL SEQUEL ACTION BY SALES ORGANISER [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION*! WELLINGTON, Monday A claim for £2500 damages was commenced in the Supreme Court to-day before Mr. Justice Ostler. Reginald Charles Boddie, sales organiser, of Wellington, alleged slander against James Dickson Sievwright, retired, also of Wellington. Plaintiff complained of statements alleged to have been made falsely and maliciously by defendant to one H. J. Lockver affecting plaintiff's credit and reputation in connection with the business of a syndicate for the manufacture of a chemical preparation in which the parties were associated. Mr. O'Leary, for the defence, said it would be submitted that tho statements were made on occasions of qualified privilege without malice. Plaintiff had advertised for someone with £SO to communicate with him. A Sirs. Miller let Boddie have £SO on the security of a formula. Later plaintiff camo to Sievwright and obtained £lO, again pledging the formula. After this plaintiff apparently sold another share to W. T. Neale. He gradually revealed to these three that each had paid for the same thing. A syndicate was then formed. The business proved unsatisfactory. Counsel then described how a formula was prepared at Christchurch and sold to a company. Tho sale of the formula was a complete sale of all rights connected with it. and was not restricted to the South Island. Tho chairman of the company would give evidence to that effect. Arthur McKellar, public accountant, of Christchurch, gave details of the purchase of the formula by the Christchurch company, which took the sole rights. The company still existed and was not in financial difficulties. Witness said that plaintiff had no right to negotiate for the sale of the preparation. The hearing was adjourned.