A LIBEL CASE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 18, 27 May 1913, Page 3

A LIBEL CASE.

POSTMASTER AND LAND AGENT. Palmerston N., May 24. Ohakune has been deeply stirred as the result of a libel action brought by W. Canning, postmaster at Ohakune (represented by Sir John Findlaj), against Alexander Herbert Wilkie, land, agent (represented by Mr C. E. Mackay, of Wanganui), claiming £505 for alleged libel._ Tho alleged libel was contained m the following statement made by defendant, in the course of a letter to Mr W. R. Morris, Secretary of the Postal Department: —• “A police raid was made in Ohakuno about two months ago on the premises of a Chinaman, Ah Duck King, a convicted sly grog-seller. Some liquor was seized by tho police, and when giving evidence in open Court when the case was tried, the Chinaman stated on oath that he had received the whisky seized from Caiming. As a resident of the district, therefore, I respectfully . submit that an explanation should bo made in connection with this matter.” After two days’ proceedings the jury found that the statement was false, and not made in good faith, and awarded £250 damages.

Judgment was entered up for plaintiff accordingly, with costs as per scale, including interlocoutory costs (to ho assessed by the Judge), costs of second day, and second counsel’s fee (£5 ss); witnesses’. 'expenses and disbursements to be fixed by the registrar. *' ; J i'Mi: Mackay is applying for a nonsuit to bo dealt with in banco at Wellington.