SUNDER ACTION

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1921, Page 4

SUNDER ACTION

GIRL SUES EMPLOYER. | |!V TJChKfJ It A PH—l’ ICR PUKSS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 24

A slander action, Frances Mary Gerrity (drapers’ assistant) v. Frederick Armstrong (draper) of Christchurch, in which £525 was claimed on each of the two causes of action, was beard in the Supreme Court to-day before Justice Herdntan and a common jury of 12. The plaintiff’s statement of claim >et out was that on November 5, 1920, she was in the employ of L. Armstrong and Co., Ltd., High Street, Christchurch, drapers and milliners. Defendant was manager of the Company. As tiie first cause of the action, it was stated that on the date mentioned the defendant falsely and maliciously, without just cause or excuse, spoke and published of, and concerning plaintiff, the words: “You can go upstairs and get your money. ... I saw her take the blouse.” It was asserted that the defendant, by these words, meant that the plaintiff was a thief, and that she had stolen a blouse from the Company. The plaintiff in consequence, was discharged by the defendant from her situation, and bad suffered damage to her credit and her reputation. It was further stated‘that at Christchurch on November 5, the defendant falsely, maliciously, and without just cause, spoke and published of and concerning the plaintiff, the words: She is no good, and any fellow around town can do as ho likes with her; that is the way she gets ber clothes,” meaning and imputing, thereby, that the plaintiff was unchaste. The defence was a denial of the plaintiff’s allegations. After a retirement of nearly two hours, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff. They found for damages on the first count of £IOO, and on the second count of £250. Judgment was entered up accordingly-