Wanganui Supreme Court

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 86, 9 October 1893, Page 2

Wanganui Supreme Court

Saturday, 7th October. (Before His Honor the Chief Justice, Sir James Prendergast.) James Whittaker v Alexander Dunbar, claim i'soo for alleged Blander. Mr Richmond, of Wellington, conducted the case for the plaintiff, and Mr Barnicoat for defendant. The case set up for the plaintiff was that on or about the month of August, 1891, the defendant went to the plaintiffs house, and in the presence of a third person, produced a sheep's ear with the ear mark cut off, and in the hearing of such third person used the words, " Do you kuow anything about this?" "I have a good case against you." It was also alleged that defendant had further, on or about the sth of August, falsely and maliciously spoke and pub« lished of the plaintiff the following words concerning the plaintiff. •' My neighbour, whose section has a frontage to the Valley road, has been stealing my sheep," and other statements equally injurious. Mr Itichtnond called Thomas Curran, farm labourer at Colyton, who was present when defendant visited plaintiffs i premises. Mr Dunbar wished them good evening and put his hand in his pocket and took out a sheep's ear, and asked plaintiff if he knew anything about it. Plaintiff replied that all he knew about it waa that it was a sheep's ear, and that he bad not stolen the sheep. Thos. Sinclair, G A. Evans, and Charlotte Whittaker, wife of the plaintiff, also gave evidence. The evidence ior the defence set up a complete denial that slander had been uttered or intended. A verdict was giyen for the plaintiff for £'10. _____