A PECULIAR LIBEL CASE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1513, 22 March 1887, Page 2

A PECULIAR LIBEL CASE

Dunbdin, March 21.

The Supreme Court was occupied all day m hearing a libel case, Sutherland r Neill, The plaintiff had been a warder m the Seaciiflf Lunatic Asylum, of which defendant is the medical superintendent The alleged libel oontiated m the plaintiff having caused a letter to be written to the Superintendent of the Auckland Aijlam stating that the plaiutiff had been dis* miaied (for "gross negligence and insubordination." It appeared from the evidence that tho plaintiff and another wsrdaman had written to Dr Neil, stating that m (hair opinion he had neglected a pitient named Oook, and they would lay the matter before the authorities for investigation. On receipt of this letter Dr Nail. dismissed the two warders who had signed it, and caused letters to bs written to the superintendents of other institutions Intimating their dismissal and the grounds for it. It was submitted that the com- ! manloition was privileged, and with this his Honor agreed. Under these olrcamstancea it was necessary to prove malice, and ho thought if. the jwy believed the warders tboy might pet haps find eomathing m their evidence which would support the fdea of malice. The jury found the letter had been written maliciously, and gave a verdict for the plaintiff for £5 and costs.