ALLEGATION OF LIBEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21982, 13 December 1934, Page 16

ALLEGATION OF LIBEL

FIRM CLAIMS DAMAGES REFERENCES IN A LETTER ANOTHER COMPANY SUED [ltv TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] CIUUSTCIIURCH, Wednesday A claim fur £'soo damages for alleged libel, causing damage to the firm's business, was brought before Mr. Justice Johnston in the Supremo Court to-day by Jollands, Limited, manufacturers' agents, of Wellington, against H. F. Stevens, Limited, wholesale druggists, of Christchurch. It was alleged by the plaintiff company that certain portions of a letter written by defendants in April, 19134, to Macleans, Limited, England, were defamatory and libellous. 'lbis letter included the following words: —"We understand that your representative, Messrs. Jollands, Limited, are now practically in liquidation." Reference was also made in the letter to overstocking. The defence; denied the allegations of libel, and contended that the communication was bona fide on a matter that concerned only the defendant company and Macleans, Limited. The statement that the firm was nearly in liquidation had been withdrawn later by defendants in a cablegram to Macleans. Evidence was given in support of the plaintiff company's case by Will Appleton and Reginald Frederick Jollands. For the defence, evidence was given by Henry Gordon Stevens, managing director of H. F. Stevens, Limited. Stevens was still under cross-examina-tion when the Court rose.