ACTION FOR LIBEL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2394, 25 February 1915, Page 7

ACTION FOR LIBEL

PLAINTIFF AWARDED £100, {By Telefflan h—Press AisociatSt* .1 ChrlstehUrch, February 24.. 'An action claiming £1000 damages for alleged libel brought by Charles Avory, Jennings, of Rangiora, journalist, against the Canterbury Publishing Company, Ltd., of. Christehurgh, newspaper proprietors; occupied the attention of Mr. Justice Denniston and a jury of twelve at the Supreme' Conrt to-day. . The company, the '• plaintiff alleged, falsely s.nd maliciously wrote and caused to- he printed and publislied in the issuo of tliß "Sun'■ newspaper of October 24, 1014, an article (quoted in full in the statement of claim); meaning thereby (plaintiff averred) that he had been guilty of gross misconduct in the discharge of his official duties as Mayor of Rangiora and hoh secretary ana committeeman of the' Rangiota Bowling, Tennis, t and Croquet Club; that he had.used; his official position in > . manner which, was unjustifiable. and discreditable to hin, and had not been impartial and without respect of person in the discharge of hiß said duties; that he had deliberately attempted to boycott .the. Sun newspaper in the matter of obtaining news which it was entitled to, and to prevent it from gettuig advertising business: that he had done this- for purposes of favouring his own employer, tho "Lyttelton Times" Cqmnanv Ltd.; that he had stooped toi .nntactics, /and had put limself in a compromising position. The defence denied false and malicious publication, and pleaded that the conduct of plaintiff in the question mvolved was » proper matter of public interest and commenti •• # . ( After a lengthy hearing, which extended into the exiling, by a majority of .10 to. 2 returned,a Verdict'for, plaintiff for £100.