A CLAIM FOR LIBEL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 241, 17 February 1911, Page 5

A CLAIM FOR LIBEL

A COMPANY CONCERN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christclmrch, Last Night. The hearing concluded at the Supreme Court to-day of an action in which Alexander Storrie Duncan, chairman ol directors of the firm of Cooper and Dun> can, Ltdi, claimed from Frank Cooper, until recently general manager of thu company, £IOOO damages for alleged libel. The plaintiff claimed that the alleged libellous statements were published in a letter issued to the shareholders of the company by the defendant, who summarised his accusation in the statement "that he charged the plaintiff with having subordinated the interests of the company to his own private concerns, and of having made use of his position as chairman of directors to further his own business at the expense of the company." After three and a quarter hours' retirement, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff, and assessed the amount of damages at £.">o. Costs were allowed on the lowest scale, with witnesses' expenses and disbursements £7 7s for the second day. Mis Honor gave leave, if necessary, to defendant to move for judgment on the. ground that plaintiff should be non-suited or judgment given for defendant.