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Patea Mail, 18 August 1882, Page 2

Dr Hector, who has been travelling over the proposed railway route from New Plymouth to To Awamutn,. is of opinion that the line involves no difficulty as to construction, and the land is infinitely superior to any it would pass through in the Marten or Napier route. Dr Hector’s report confirms that of many others who have personal knowledge of the route. An important question is raised by an action for defamation of character. The question is how far one is justified in giving private friendly warning against a person tvhom you believe to be dishonest, or dangerous, or unfit for an office of trust. Mr Cook, lately manager for the Colonial Bank in Wellington, became manager of another bank in N.S. Wales. It is alleged that Mr W. J. M. Larnach sent a letter to his own brother in Sydney warning him against Mr Cook ; and this letter being shown to the directors, Mr Cook lost liis employ. Ho is now sueiug Mr Larnaclt for £20,000 damages for alleged slander contained in the letter. The old legal question is involved, namely, was this a privileged communication under the circumstances ?