TEACHER CLAIMS £500

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1929, Page 1

TEACHER CLAIMS £SOO

LIBEL CASK AGAINST FACTORY MANAGER. v ßy Telegraph—Press Association). AUCKLAND, May 22. At the Supreme Court to-day, an action is being heard before a jury of twelve, as a sequel to sensational charges made against a countryj school master in the Hokianga district. Lawrence Topping Donaldson, headmaster of the Motukarapa School, near Rawenc, is claiming £SOO as damages for libel against Leonard Samuel Barrel! butter factory manager.

Donaldson alleges that the following false and malicious statement concerning him had been written by defendant to the Auckland lulucatioii Hoard, on September 10.:—“I have to report that Mr Donaldson lias, on various occasions, interfered in an improper manlier with the clothing and persons of my two daughters. Counsel, in opening, stated. that a committee set up by the Board to in vesligato Barroll’s complaints, came to tlio conclusion that Donaldson was guiltless of the charges, but owing to the feeling that gossip would seriously affect Donaldson’s work, it recommended a transfer, and he was now teaching at Opua. LATK.iI.

In the Donaldson libel ease, lengthy evidence concerning hostility hein" shown by defendant towards plaintiff was given by witnesses for tlio plaintiff. The case was adjourned until to-morrow. _____