DAMAGES FOR DOCTOR

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1930, Page 3

DAMAGES FOR DOCTOR

FOR NURSE’S STATEMENTS

r (By Telegraph—Per Press' Association.! WELLINGTON, Aug. 14. The sum of £250 damages was awarded Dr Walter, Richards in his slander action against the Australasian, Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance ‘Society' ,Ltdl. The case concluded in the Supreme Court to-day before Mr Justice Ostler and a jury. The basis of the action were the remarks of the Society’s nurse to a patient of (lie doctor’s. The following ,issues were agreed upon for submission to the jury and were answered us stated : (1) Were the words alleged in the statement of claim, or siniilard words, spoken 'by the nuTse ?—Yes. (2) Were the words spoken hv the nurse to Mrs Bell and Mrs Little defamatory of the plaintiff?—\ T es. (3) If so, was the nurse, when she spoke those words in the presence of Mrs Little, acting bona fide, or was she actuated by malice ? —(No answer recorded in message). (4) If the words spoken by tlie nurse were defamatory of the plaintiff/was she, in speaking those words to Mrs Bell, actuated by malice?— Yes. What damages, if any, is the plaintiff entitled to recover from the defendant ?—£2so.