Samoan Libel Action
p. 23 · Read in the full issue
Verdict for Defendants.
From Our Own Correspondent.
APIA, March 20.
CHIEF JUDGE J. H. LUXFORD. of the High Court of Western Samoa has just given his decision in an interesting court case, in which the Tifaga Playhouse Company Ltd., rep resented by the manager, P. Moors, and the secretary had claimed £500 damages from the Samoa Times Printing and Publishing Co. Ltd. and William Tarr, Editor of the “Samoa Her ald,” for publication of a letter on September 18, 1931, allegedly containing a libel on the plaintiffs.
The letter in question complained of the failure of the Tifaga Playhouse Company to stage a boxing bout between two local boys, as promised to a number of people, at a certain place, so that a number were disappointed. The management strongly denied having made any promises and filed a court action, alleging damages suffered in consequence of the publica tion of said letter.
After lengthy evidence had been taken, partly of a very conflicting character, Chief Judge Luxford gave the verdict in writing for the defendants, with costs, as plaintiffs had not discharged the onus of proving that the com ment made was unfair or mala fide.