SETTLED.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160732, 19 August 1920, Page 7

SETTLED.

CLAIM FOR ALLEGED SLANDER. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 19. The case of Arthur Leigh Hunt, Late general manager of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co operative Distribution Company, Ltd., versus John Joseph Bryce, of Hirau, now chairman of the company, a claim for .£3OOO damages lor alleged slander, has been settled. In April last. Sir James Wilson, chairman of the company, and Messrs H. J. Richards, John Balsillie, and Thos. Moss, directors of the company, together with Mr Hunt, general manager, vacated their respective positions, a fact which, caused considerable surprise in business circles, particularly as all, except Mr Moss, bad been connected with the company since its inception seventeen years ago. Last year the company handled 26,003 bales of wool, and had a turnover of <£l,o-18,000, and made a profit of .£14,000. When called on-at the Supreme Court to-day, Sir John Findlay, for the company, announced that the case had been settled. He had been instructed by the defendant to say that ho withdrew any imputation made either on the personal character or ihe general business ability of Mr Hunt, and expressed bis regret for having made statements which were regarded as injurious to Mr Hunt’s reputation and character. The defendant wished to say that he never had it in his mind to impute misconduct to Air- Hunt or inefficiency while acting ns manager of the company, but us he xccognisc-d the statements made by him may lend themselves to that interpretation, he absolutely withdrew any imputation of the kind. Defendant would pay £6OO towards the costs and expenses. The case was accordingly withdrawal.