DISGUSTING SLANDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1022, 23 March 1912, Page 3

DISGUSTING SLANDER.

BROTHER AGAINST SISTER

MASTiiKXON, March 22,

A case possessing somewhat remarkable features has occupied the Supreme Court during the last couple of days. Emily Humphries, wife of Frank Humphries, farmer of Clareville, claimed from her brother George Walter Kemptou, farmer of the same place, the sum of £6OO damages for alleged slander.

Sir John Findlay appeared for plaintiff and Mr Smart for defendant.

Evidence for plaintiff showed that Kempton had stated to several persons that he had seen his sister Mrs Humphries misconducting herself with one Donald Finlayson. Plaintiff in her evidence absolutely denied intimacy with Finlayson and her evidence was corroborated by Finlayson, and so far as specific dates were concerned, by plaintiff’s husband. Evidence was led for defendant to show intimacy had taken place between Mrs Humphries and Finlayson, defendant stating that he had observed acts of impropriety through a window and a crack. in the door. Two of his nieces, one thirteen years of age, alleged that they had seen improper conduct through looking through the key hole.

Defendant and his witnesses were severely cross-examined. In summing up Mr Judge Edwards said that in the whole of his experience he had never heard of so disgusting a case as of a man endeavouring to publish the shame of his sister.

The jury after retirement of nearly four hours returned with a three-fourths verdict for plaintiff, and awarded .£l5O damages. The judgment was entered up accordingly with costs according to scale and 15s for extra day’s trial, and £3 3s each day for second counsels.