A LIBEL CASE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1436, 22 January 1885, Page 2

A LIBEL CASE.

Wellington, Yesterday. In the Supreme Court to-day the libel case Holmes and others v Messrs Furness and Bbundy, the proprietors of the Marlborough Express , was heard. This action was brought to recover L 2,000 damages. The statement of claim set forth that the plaintiffs wore promoters and four of the Directors of the Marlborough Freezing Company, Limited. In the issues of the Marlborough Express of the 9th and 12th April, 1884, defendants published defamatory articles concerning the conduct of the plaintiffs as promoters and directors of the Company alluded to. ' The plaintiffs submitted that the article in question accused them of having promoted a Freezing Company for their own benefit, and not that of the shareholders, and that the Company had long been carrying on for the advantage of the plaintiffs to the detriment of the shareholders, who had been deluded and wheedled by the plaintiffs, and that the plaintiffs, while professing to be actuated by good intentions, with the view of promoting the successful export of treat for the good of the shareholders, were in fact only deceiving and defrauding shareholders in order to benefit themselves. The statement of defendants denied all the material allegations, and contended that the matter complained of was of public interest, and the publication was fair and bond fide, and without sinister or malicious motive, and made in a bond fide belief in the truth thereof. After evidence taken, the jury found a verdict for the plaintiffs for L 5 each with costs, to be assessed on the lower scale. Leave was given for the defendants to move at the next sitting after the vacation to enter a nonsuit, on the ground of wrong joinder.