CLAIM FOR SLANDER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1933, Page 5

CLAIM FOR SLANDER

TAILWAGGERS’ CLUB

£l7O DAMAGES AWARDED. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) WELLINGTON, February 15. Ihe Mayor of Wellington, Mr Hislop, gave evidence to-day in the case in which Wingrove, secretary of the lailwaggers’ Club is seeking damages from Crossley, president of the Tailwaggers’ Club. lie said that he regretted to say tnat at, ami prior to November 1 Wingrove’s general reputation was' extreniely bad. From matters that came to ids knowledge, which had been concealed from him, steps were taken to guard the cash. Prior to leaving Wel-ligt-cn on December 20, witness went into the whole position with Air Batten, vice president, and at that time Wmgrove’s reputation, in his view, was infinitely worse than be had th night previously. Witness told Mr Batten that unless Wingrove went, or there was some drastic re-organisa-tion of Wingrove’s duties, lie (witness) would resign from the club, and would for the protection of the public make his resignation known. “I was- thoroughly dissatisfied with the whole thing,”, added Air His]op, Band I thought it high time that some definite step should be taken to protect the upblic.” Witness. said that he had also brought up the question of veterinary adviser, and the letters that he used after his name, and had said that it had got to stop. Repying to the Chief Justice, Mr Hislop said that a civil actiqp was pending against Wingrove, and there would also be a prosecution. Witness said) that the club itself was a good thing. All it. wanted was a good clean up. In cross-examination, Air Hislop sajd that, shortly after the formation of the club, he had a talk with AVingrove had issued valueless cheques in that Wingrove had had trouble in Auckland. He said to AVingrove: “You are here now, and we give you a fair run.” AVitness went on to say that lie had information that AVingrove had issuet valueless cheques in AA r ellington to D. J. McGowan, Campbell Begg and Coy., and Nicol, florist-. He had also heard from Air Muntz, British Trade Commissioner, of a dog having been sold to him by Wingrove for £5, of which the owner received £2 l 10s. It was quite clearly understood by Mr Aluntz that the £5 was the owner’s price, ( no question 0 f a commission. - He had also heard complaints about 1 certain relationships by AVingrove with women. He had also been informed by a high -authority that AA r ingrove’s > wife wag living in Auckland, and that she would not live with him. Air Leicester; “That is an absolute lie.”

Mr Hislop replied; “Go and a sk the Probation Officer,” The last witness for the defence was Mrs Esther Elizabeth Campbell, who Scinl that she wa9 at Crossley’s house when Miss Aitken called last November and she overheard their conversation, Witness maintained that it was Miss Aitken and not Crossley who made the attack on Wingrove. Alias Aitken on leaving said “Good-bye” to Crossley, and said that if he wanted to know anything she would tell him. Called by Mr Leicester, Air Batten, vice president of the, Tailwaggers’ Club said that lie had heard nothing to the effect that Wingrove had a bad reputation till his conversation with Mr Hislop. After a retirement of fifty-two minutes, the iui-v returned a verdict awarding £l7O damages to Wingrove.