Libel Action In Seychelles.

Damages: 20 Rs.

SOMETHING over a year ago, a craft i-° f unusual appearance, named the Felicm”, appeared in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, in charge of her owner, F. W. Parsons. She came from the Seychelles Islands (in the Indian Ocean), and it was stated that the owner was seeking transport work.

There was not much business about, however, and the boat apparently ex perienced bad times; the owner did not very much like the conditions he met; there was a good deal of stormy weather; and the “Felicie” returned to the Seychelles, via New Guinea.

This report, from the “Pacific Islands Monthly”, was copied into the “Sey chelles Clarion”, without addendum or comment.

We learn, to our astonishment, from the “Seychelles Clarion” of December last, that Mr. Parsons took action against the editor of the “Clarion”, on the ground of libel. He said that his credit had been injured, and his feel ings hurt. He claimed that he had not gone for trading purposes to the South Seas—he had been merely visiting New Guinea and the Solomon in his “pleasure yacht”. Yachts were permitted to trade in the Solomons. He had not been as hard up as the article inferred. He claimed damages amounting to 1.700 Rupees.

The Judge said there had been no material damage, but moral damage could be inferred. He awarded damages amounting to 20 Rupees.