JOHN HALLAM v. ELLIOTT HODGSON.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 7 September 1908, Page 8

JOHN HALLAM v. ELLIOTT HODGSON.

CLAIM £200 FOR SEDUCTION

JUDGMENT FOR £35 AND COSTS

This was an atotion for seduction of plaintiffs daughter. The facts on which the action is grounded; are riot in dispute. The defendant seduced the plaintiff's daughter who is now pregnant. There is no reason to doubt that he is the father of her unborn child, ihe plaintiff and his wife were verylieghgent in their supervision over their daughter, but they are very old and apparently very helpless people I cannot regard this as an action on beiiali of the daughter, and I cannot attach much weight to the ordinary g1'0"™! of loss of the daughter's society. There is. however, something more than nominal loss of service to be considered, and though it is not now necessary to look for loss of service as an integral part of the causa of action when it :s proved, it must have the sairio nature m connection with the assessment of damages.as it had in former times. I think I ought to treat this as a ca.se of actual lols of re~vico and of consequent expense and to alone. These I asse.ss at £35, with costs a9 per scale witness' expenses ami: disbursements to be fixed by tho Regis-

In this case no evidence was taken,

tho action being only defended as to damages.

In both the above cases Mr Mackay appeared for plaintiffs, and Mr Treadwoll. for the defendant.