SLANDER ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1921, Page 5

SLANDER ACTION.

GIRL AND HER EMPLOYER. PLAINTIFF RECOVERS DAMAGES. By Telegraph.—Press Amo elation. Christchurch, Last Night. A slander action, Frances Mary Gerity, a draper’s assistant, v. Frederick Armstrong, draper, Christchurch, in which £525 was claimed on each of two causes of action, wai heard in the Supreme Court to-day before Mr Justice Herdman and a common jury of twelve. Plaintiff’s statement of the claim set out that on November 5, 19510, she was in the employ of Messrs. T. Armstrong and Co, Ltd., High Street, ChrisTchurch, drapers and milliners, and defendant was manager of the company. As the first cauce of action it was stated that on the date mentioned defendant falsely and maliciously, without just cause or excuse, spoke and published* of and concerning plajntiff the words: “You. can go upstairs find get your money. I saw her tstKe a blouse.” It was asserted defendant by these words meant that plaintiff’was a thief and had stolen a blouse from the company. Plaintiff, in consequence, was discharged by de fendant from her situation ahid had suffered damage to her credit and reputation. It wa« further stated*” that at Christchurch on November 5 defendant falsely, maliciously, and without just cause spoke and published of and concerning plaintiff the words: “She is no good, and anv fellow around town can do a& he likes with her, and that is the way she gets her clothes,” meaning and imputing thereby that plaintiff was unchaste. . The defence was a demal of plaintiff s allegations. After a retirement of nearly two the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff on'the first count of £lOO and on the second of £250. Judgment was entered accordingly.