SUPREME COURT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4996, 2 May 1889, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

(Bv Telegraph. )

BLENHEIM, Mat 1,

The last civil case of the session opened to-day and excited great interest. Ransom, a malster, v. Elides, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, an action for slander, damages £SOO. Plaintiff alleged that on April 2nd defendant shouted “ I’ll make a bankrupt of you,” and that he had been seriously damaged. At the conclusion of the evidence the judge, in summing up, pointed out that the words imputed to Elides, if the jury came to decision that they were uttered, were defamatory, as although they might have been used in a bank parlour they should not have been spoken in the public street in the hearing of passers by. The jury had also to consider how far the credit of plaintiff was damaged, if they came to the conclusion that the remarks imputed to Fildes had been made. The jury were absent an hour and twentyfive minutes, and then returned to court stating that only three-fourths were agreed. Counsel on both sides agreed to take this, and the verdict was for plaintiff with £l5O damages. Mr Oonolly, for the defence, moved to set aside the verdict on the ground that the words were privileged, but His Honour refused. Costs were awarded on the lowest scale. Execution was stayed on the application of Mr Conolly, pending a motion to be made for a new trial at the earliest practicable sittings in banco in Wellington.

DUNEDIN, May I.

In the case Wilkinson v. Johnston Judge Williams decided that an undischarged bankrupt was bound to find security for costs, and ordered accordingly.