Local Libel Case: In the Common Pleas Division of the High Court of Justice at Westminster on Monday the case of “Laney against Chapman and Pinsont ” was tried before Mr. Justice Grove and a special jury. The plaintiff, for whom Mr. Kemp, Q.C, and Mr. Woolatt, appeared, resided in Derby-road, Southampton and he brought his action to recover damages for alleged libel: It seemed that Chapman was the chief officer and Pinsont the purser of the steamship Indus, belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Company, while the plaintiff acted as storekeeper during a voyage to India and back. A man named Bell was the barman, but owing to some error in his accounts he was dis-rated, and the plaintiff was appointed to fulfil his duties until the end of the voyage. When the vessel was being discharged in the Docks the plaintiff was re-engaged as a barman. In consequence of his dismissal Bell complained that he had been hardly used, and eventually the plaintiff was asked to relinquish his re-engagement on receiving a month’s salary as compensation. Although repeatedly pressed the plaintiff declined to agree to this and, according to his statement, he obtained from the purser leave of absence in order that he might consult his solicitor. During his absence an entry was made in the log “George Laney, being absent without leave, is charged with desertion,” and this entry, signed and countersigned by the two defendants, was the libel complained of. — The defendants, who were represented by Mr. Watkin Williams, Q.C, and Mr. McLeod, pleaded privilege and the absence of malice. After an absence of nearly half-an-hour the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, and assessed the damages at £50, for which amount Mr. Justice Grove, on the application of Mr. Woolatt, gave judgment yesterday morning.
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Referenced
GRO0420 India: Henry John Pinsent: 1812 – 1894