PECULIAR LIBEL CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 293, 14 May 1914, Page 5

PECULIAR LIBEL CASE.

REFLECTION UPON MAX'S BIRTH.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A libel case with unusual features was heard in the Supreme Coart to-day, and a verdict for plaintiff 0 f £125 damages was given this evening. Many years ago, in London, a man named Armstrong met a Miss Barber, and they lived together as Mr and Mrs Barber. Only when the first child was born did the woman discover that Armstrong was already married. Other children were born subsequently, but the illegitimacy of their birth was ;arefully hidden from the family. When the eldest boy, Robert, was* 18 y»n«-.i o ld, a brother of Miss Barber, whose name waa also Robert Barber, who hail titled in Auckland, odered to take the buv under his protection. Robert, jun.or, 'vorked for his uncle for some time, nid then, objecting to the small wages he.received, quarrelled with him, and started business on his own account. After a recent court case, in which the catering of Robert Barber junior was criticised; Robert Barber, th- uncle, in* serted the following notice in an Atiel>* land paper. "I, Robert Barber, caterer, of Karangahape road, am in n. way connected with Robert Armstri.ny, going under the name of Robert "arber, caitcrer, of Buchanan's cafe."

Thereupon young Barber Vul to explain to his principal clients, 'lis friends, and his brothers and sister- (who had recently come to Auckland with their mother) (he shame of hip and their birth. Tlie act of tho une 1 -. it was claimed, was deliberate and malicious. Young Barber was entitlet 1 to that name, as illegitimate child; always took the name of their mot 1 -r.

The jury found for the Vaintilf as stated. V