NEWSPAPER LIBEL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1909, 18 November 1913, Page 7

NEWSPAPER LIBEL.

VERDICT AGAINST THE BRISBANE "MAIL." By Telcarraph—i-ross Association—OoDyrisM (Reo. November 17, 11.20 p.m.) Brisbane, November 17. The libel case, Demham v. "Daily Mail,',' has resulted i.ll a verdict for the plaintiff, £45Q, with costs. The amount awarded consists of £300 for Mr. D. F. Deaham, and £130 for Donham Brothers; Tho jury added a rider to tha effect that the evidence had completely exonerated tho plaintiffs front tho charges made against them in tho Legislative Assembly;

Messrs. Donham Brothers, produce merchants, and Mt. Digby ftank Denham, l'xtmier of Queensland, sued the Brisbane '"Daily Mail" for <£10,000, for on alleged libei. The subject matter «■ plained, of was headed: "Parasites Upon Society"—"Charge .. Against producers' Agents"—"Alleged Jtiuiduient Dealings." The above purported to bo a report of Mr. .Bowman's speech in. the Stats As» eranbiy. Plaintiffs alleged that the article meant that, they -had been dishonest in their dealings with the goods of a client, and had furnished him with fraudulent accounts. Tho deforce in the ease is that tho matter was published without actual ill-will, published in go<sd faith for the information ef the public; that it was bona-fide; that it was intended, and was believed to be, a correct report, of certain, proceedings in tho State Assembly, but on account ef tho faulty acoustic properties of the Assembly Chamber, part o.f the speech was incorrectly hoard and reported; that the defendants admitted flint so far as tho report purported to bo a' report of the speech, it was inaccurate, ; awl that the .earliest opportunity was taken to prevent Ike further Kilo and distribution of that issue of the paper; oi)d that the defendants unresarvodly withdrew all iraputationrii and paid .£IOO into Court.