LIBEL ALLEGED

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 242, 13 May 1933, Page 5

LIBEL ALLEGED

OIL COMPANIES' ACTIONS CLAIMS TOTAL £2OOO Palmerston N., M*y 12. Claims for damages totaling .£2OOO for alleged libel were hoard Dy Mr. Justice Heed in 'lie Puprome Court, this morning. Plaintiffs were the Atlantic Union Oil Company. Ltd., and the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd. Defendants were James Henry Bodle, service station proprietor, of Palmerston North, Spooners, Ltd., printers, of Palmerston North, and Watson and Eyre, Ltd., printers, Palmerston North. Plaintiffs proceeded in three actions against James Henry Bodle and Spooners, Ltd., as joint defendants, a total sum of £ISOO being claimed by plaintiffs. The plaintiffs procendod against Bodle and Watson and Eyre Ltd., as joint defendants in a fourth action and claimed £SOO. In addition tile companies also sought an injunction to prevent tho defendants from printing and publishing libels. The statement of claim stated that defendants, Bodle and Spooners, Ltd., published pamphlets dealing with motor spirits in January and February of this year, in which allegations were made that the companies had been dishonest in attempting to avoid payment of income-tax by manipulating their invoices. Three handbills containing the alleg."! libels hud been distributed to motorists calling at Bodle's service 'station. Plaintiffs alleged that in February Bodle and Watson and Eyre had pub lished a pamphlet containing statements that the companies were manipulating their invoices and thereby escaping payment of some of their income-tax.

Counsel for Spooners, Ltd., intimated that; their defence was withdrawn, excepting as to a plea for an apology for action and the arguing of the question of damages. Counsel for Watson and Eyre, Ltd., said no defence had been filed on the companies' behalf, and it was simply a question of the amount of damages. Bodle's counsel said that publication of tho pamphlets was admitted, but all the remaining- allegations of the plaintiffs were denied. In cross-examination, the defendant, TSodle, said he had had 10,000 copies of the first pamphlet printed and distributed between Wanganui and Wellington. Four other lots of 5000 had Subsequently been printed and distributed in Auckland and ChristcllUl'cll.

His Honour reserved his judgment in all cases.