DAMAGES FOR LIBEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 16

DAMAGES FOR LIBEL

COMPANY AWARDED £2OO

STATEMENT IN A LETTER CASE AT CHRISTCHURCH [ny TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday The hearing of the claim for £SOO damages for alleged libel brought by Jollands, Limited, manufacturers' agents, Wellington, against H. F. Stevens, Limited, wholesale druggists, was concluded in the Supreme Court to-day. It was alleged by the plaintiff company that certain portions of a letter written by defendants in April, 1934. to Macleans, Limited, England, were defamatory and libellous. This letter included the following words:—"We understand that your representative, Messrs. Jollands, Limited, aro 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 The statement that the firm was nearly in liquidation had been withdrawn later by defendants in a cablegram to Macleans. To-day, Henry George Stevens, managing-director of Stovens, Limited, resumed evidence for the defence and was further cross-examined by counsel for tbo plaintiff company. He said he now realised it was very serious to say that Jollands wero practically in liquidation, though he was convinced in his own mind that they were still in difficulties. Had Jollands gone into liquidation his own firm would have been left with a big supply of toothpaste which would not bo advertised. He never contemplated that his firm might get Macleans' agency. The plaintiff company was awarded £2OO damages.