SLANDER ACTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 41, 18 February 1938, Page 8

SLANDER ACTION

CLAIM FOR DAMAGES INSURANCE COMPANIES AT LAW t Per Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, Feb. 17.

The case in which the Australian Provincial Assurance Association, Ltd., is claiming £lOOO damages for slander from the Australian Mutual Provident Society, was continued in the Supreme Court to-day before Mr. Justice Kennedy. Evidence for plaintiff was completed this morning and when the Court adjourned till to-mor-i’ow evidence for the defence was being heard. The defence is a denial of the use of the words complained of by plaintiff. In opening for the defence, Mr. G. G. Watson, of Wellington, said that after an investigation the A.M.P. had decided that the statements complained of had not been made and had decided not to make the settlement requested by the A.P.A. If the action were well founded and if damages were recovered against the A.M.P. as a result of statements made by agents, then in law the A.M.P. would be entitled to recover the amount from their servants who had made the statements contrary to instructions and in excess of their duty. The jury had to decide two issues: (1) Did the A.M.P. agents use the words or substantially the same words as those set out in the statement of claim to the people to whom they were alleged to have been made? and (2) did the words bear the particular meaning put on them by .plaintiff ?