A LIBEL ACTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 15

A LIBEL ACTION.

DAMAGES AWARDED PLAINTIFF. AUCKLAND, June 16. The claim for £IOOO for alleged libel I which was brought by Ilenrv Green against i James Roberts, John Glover, and the ! Transport Workers’ Federation was con- l tinued before Mr Justice Adams and a jury j at the Supreme Court. Air Justice Adams j said he would put to the jury five issues I concerning each of the paragraphs on which i the complaints were bared. These issues were: (1) Did defendants publish of and concerning plaintiff the word set out in the statement of claim? (2) Are the statements true in substance 1 and in fact? (3) Were the statements defamatory? j (4) Wero tho statements published ma'aeiously? (5) What damages, if any, is plamtiff en- 1 titled to recover? After the retirement had exceeded three j hours the jury returned with a five-sixths I majority in favour of plaintiff. The first. 1 third, and fourth questions were answered | in the affirmative, and the second -in the ! negative. For the verses published £2OO j damages were awarded, and for the second ! paragraph £75, or £275 for the whole j action. Air Justice Adams said his decision ■ was £275 damages, with costs. Decision was reserved on a motion for the injunction to ho withdrawn and leave to move for a new trial within 14 days.