CLAIM FOR £1000 DAMAGES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 192, 23 November 1910, Page 4

CLAIM FOR £IOOO DAMAGES

AN INTERESTING CASE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christehurch, Tuesday. At the Supreme Court to-day William Skinner claimed £IOOO damages from John Gordon Bannerman for alleged malicious prosecution. The case was heard before a common jury of twelve. The case for plaintiff, who is now a tradesman in Oamaru, was that on or about October 18,1909, he purchased from Bannerman some property at Jerusalem, on the Wanganui river, and entered into possession on or about February 7, 1910. While he was in Christehurch, negotiating with defendant as to certain matters in difference between them relating to the property, defendant falsely, and maliciously, and without reasonable or probable cause, swore an information charging him with the theft of certain sheep, of about the value of £l5O. Plaintiff was arrested, and remanded to appear at Wanganui. He appeared at the Magistrate's Court there on February 23, and, on the same day, Bannerman swore a second information, alleging that plaintiff, being the guarantor of certain security, dated November 25, 1910, attempted to defraud the grantee (Bannerman) by selling 136 wethers, 312 lambs, and nine ewes, alleged to be comprised in, or affected by such instrument. The plaintiff was committed for trial, and, at the sittings of the Supreme Court, the grand jury returned '"no bill." Plaintiff claimed to have suffered great pain of body and mind, and to have been injured in hia business and reputation by the proceedings. He claimed to recover £SO special damages, and £950 general damages in respect of each cause of the action.

Evidence was given by plaintiff at length to-day, and the case will be continued to-morrow.