VERDICT IN LIBEL CASE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 69, 13 July 1914, Page 3

VERDICT IN LIBEL CASE.

FAIRBAIRN v. O.D. TIMES. CLAIM FOR £IOOO. The jury gave the following answers to the issues : 1. Does the article of October 18, 1912, charge the members of the Cost of Living Commission or any of them with having dishonestly suppressed part of tho evidence of the witnesses Bowyer and Jameson in the official report of such evidence? —YES. 2. If so, is that charge true?—NO. 3. Is the said article a libel on the plaintiff?—YES. 4. Does the letter signed William R. Gordon accuse the plaintiff of having accepted the office of Commissioner for some improper purpose?— YES. 5. If so, is that assertion {rue?— NO. 6. Is the said letter a libel on the plaintiff?—YES. 7. Does the letter signed "Merchant" allege that the plaintiff was appointed a Commissioner on account of the business relations between himself and the Hon. Thos. Mackenzie?— YES. 8. Was the plaintiff appointed a Commissioner for that reason —NO. 9. Ts the said letter a libel on the plaintiff?—YES.

10. Does the letter signed "T.R.W." allege that the whole of the said Commission was Appointed for the purpose of enabling the plaintiff to attack his business competitors and to further the interests of his own Hum?—YES. 11. Was the said Commission appointed for that purpose?—NO. 12. Is the said-letter a libel on the plaintiff?—YES. 13. What damages, if any, is the plaintiff entitled to recover from the defendant in respect of— . (a) His first cause of action?— £250. (b) His second cause of action?— £250. (<■) His third cause of action?— £IOO. (d) His fourth cause of action ? £250. Judgment was entered for ■ the plaintiff on the motion of Sir John Findlay for £BSO, with costs according to scale, and witnesses' expenses and disbursements to bo fixed by the Registrar. Tt is understood the costs will be between £'2oo and £3OO.