"Pure Imagination"

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 17 June 1914, Page 5

"Pure Imagination"

TYPISTE CLAIMS BIG DAMAGES. SOME UNPLEASANT INSINUATIONS.

By Cable—.Press Association—Copyright Received 16, 11.10 p.m. ' Sydney, June 10.

In the libel action, the evidence ot Lionel J. A. Bridge, the defendant, was n contraversion of the statements and deductions drawn by the plaintiff and witnesses. He declared that there was nothing in hia mind when he wrote the letter whereon the action was founded, except the maintenance of discipline and the service of the company. He admitted carrying Miss Browne out, but denied using unnecessary force. Evidence during the case disclosed that certain employees were dismissed, or severed their connection with John Bridge and 00. as the result of the incident.

Counsel for the defence argued that if the jury were to believe the plaintiff's evidence, theyi must conclude that defendant and his co-directors of Bridge and Co. were guilty of diabolical wickedness. He characterised one portion of Miss Browne's evidence, that the defendant, in conversation with her, Baid she might have her salary doubled if she adopted the suggestion he made to her, as "pure imagination of a hysterical girl." He contended that Morath, head of Browne's department, was seeking to relieve himself of the authority of the directors in connection with matters concerning his department, and used the Browne incident to forward his pretensions. Counsel for the plaintiff said that the motives of defendant in dismissing ', Browne were that she spurned his overtures, and as a man rejected, he'resorted to spite and malice. Also, there was ill-feeling between the defendant and Morath, and the dismissed girl was to be the means of checkmating and making Morath bite the dust. The girl was only a pawn in the game. The case is unfinished.