ACTION FOR LIBEL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1054, 17 February 1911, Page 4

ACTION FOR LIBEL.

A CHIUSTCHURCH CASE.. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) . Christehurch, February 16. The hearing concludtd at, the Supreme Court to-day of an action in which Alexander Storrio Duncan, chairman of directors of the firm of Cooper and'-Dun-can, Ltd.,. claimed from , l'rank Cooper, until recently general manager' of tho company; .£IOOO damages for alleged libel. Plaintiff claimed that the alleged libellous statements wore published in a: letter , is?ucd to the shareholders 'of i. 111? company by the defendant, who summarised his accusation in 'the statement that he tliarged the; plaintiff ;"with having' subordinated the interests ot the company to his own' private- "concerns,. and of having inr.de use of his position as chairman of directors to'further his own business at the expense of the 1 company." After three and a quarttr ..hours' retirement the jury returned a . verdict for plaintiff, and assessed the amount of damages- at JE3O. Costs were allowed on the lowest scale, with witnesses';expenses and disbursements, JE7 7s. for the second day. His Honour gave leave, if necessary, to defendant to move for judgment on the ground that plaintiff should be nonsuited, ' or' judgment' given for defendant: