INSURANCE COMPANIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 May 1941, Page 4

INSURANCE COMPANIES

LIBEL & SLANDER ACTION. JURY AWARDS THREE FARTHINGS DAMAGES. WELLINGTON. This Day. Three farthings damages, on a claim totalling £l7OO, was awarded by the jury who heard the suit for libel and slander brought by the Dominion Life Assurance Office of New Zealand, Ltd., against the Australian Mutual Provident Society in the Supreme Court, Wellington. The hearing began on Monday morning and concluded yesterday afternoon, when the jury was one hour and 40 minutes considering its verdict. Of the five original causes of action two were withheld from the jury. It found for plaintiff company on each of the remaining causes of action and fixed damages at ',d in each case. The foreman of the jury explained that they had decided to award only ;ld damages because they thought the executive of defendant corporation had taken adequate and effective action to make amends for what its agents had done. They intended their verdict to be a moral victory for plaintiff company, but thought that the company should have been satisfied with the apology that was made and the offer of payment of plaintiff company’s legal costs. The Court made no order as to costs, Judgment was entered for plaintiff. Mr Justice Ostler was on the bench. Plaintiff company was represented by Messrs H. F. O'Leary. K.C.. and A. M. Cousins. Messrs P. B. Cooke. K.C., and W. P. Shetland appeared for defendant corporation.