CLAIM FOR LIBEL

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 5

CLAIM FOR LIBEL

BOARDINGHOUSE PROPRIETRESS. SUCCESSFUL SUIT. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, April 9. “The evidence undoubtedly proves a malicious course of conduct to injure the plaintiff by the most serious charges,” said Mr Justice Ostler, in the Supreme Court, in awarding Mrs Donald Lee Chapman £350 damages against Mabel McGregor to-day. 'Plaintiff was the proprietress of a boardinghouse at which the defendant had been staying and the 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 it was claimed that the plaintiff was aware of this and encouraged them in their conduct. The society, because of the gravity of the allegations, sent a 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 the police interrogations sums totalling £950. There was no defence to the action. ■ The Judge said the first charge was of libel and the others were of slander, but all were criminal charges. Consequently, there was no need to prove damage. It. was not a case for nominal damages, but it seemed quite useless to award the full amount claimed, in view of the defendant’s circumstances. His Honour gave judgment against the defendant’s personal estate for £l5O on the libel count and £5O on each of the four slander charges, with costs.