SERIOUS CHARGES.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12619, 11 April 1934, Page 2

SERIOUS CHARGES.

DAAIAGES AGAINST WOAIAN

Electric Telegraph—Press Association AUCKLAND, April 9. “The evidence undoubtedly proves a malicious course of conduct to injure plaintiff by the most serious charges,’ 5 said IVIr Justice Ostler, in the Supreme Court in awarding Airs Donald Lee Chapman £3oo damages against Alnbel AlcGregor to-day. . Plaintiff was proprietress ot a boarding-house at which defendant had been staying, and defendant wrote to the society for the .Protection of Women and Children asserting that three girl boarders at the house were leading an immoral life, and that plaintiff was aware of and encouraged them in their conduct. The society, because of the gravity of the allegations, sent the letter "to the police, and as a result two of the girls were prosecuted, but the charges were dismissed by the magistrate. Plaintiff alleged, also, and called witnesses to prove, that defendant subsequently made Slanderous statements similar to those she had written. Plaintiff claimed for injury to her reputation and mental anguish caused by police interrogations, sums totalling £950. There was no defence to the action.

The judge said the first charge was libel and the others were of slander, hut all were criminal charges, consequently there was no need to prove damages. It was not a case for nominal damages, but it seemed quite useless to award the full amount claimed in view of defendant’s circumstances. He gave judgment against defendant’s personal estate for £l5O on the libel count, and £SO each on the four slander charges, with costs.