A SLANDER CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1844, 25 June 1918, Page 3

A SLANDER CASE.

PLAINTIFF AWARDED DAMAGES.

Gisborne, June 22

Great public, interest has been evinced in a case before Mr Justice Hosking at the Supreme Court, in which Henry Ewart Hill, of Gisborne, proceeded against Laza-rus Wolfe Balkind, of Christchurch, money-lender, for the recovery of £I,OOO damages for alleged slander. The evidence of the plaintiff, who was represented by Mr D, T. Burnard, showed that Hill was agent in Gisljome for Balkind in connection with the latter’s money-lending business. In May last Balkind came to Gisborne and went to Hill’s office, where he made use of the words complained of, viz.: “You stole my money. I say so absolutely.” The words were overheard by a clerk in Hill’s employ, who took a note of them.

Mr H. B. Lusk, of Napier, with him Mr T. A. Coleman, appeared for the defendant.

The jury awarded plaintiff £IOO damages. A nonsuit motion by Mr Lusk, on the grounds of alleged privilege, which had been reserved during the hearing, will come up for argument on the legal point involved on Tuesday.