NINETY MILE BEACH

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1932, Page 7

NINETY MILE BEACH

MOTOR SPEED TRIALS

EVIDENCE IN LIBEL SUIT

SYDNEY, 11th October

Hearing was continued to-day of the case in which Mr. Norman ("Wizard") Smith claims £20,000 damages from "Smith's Weekly" for alleged libel in an article published on. 21st May, in which, plaintiff contends he was publicly denounced as a coward in. connection with his motor speed trials oh Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand. The defence pleads not guUty, and further contends that the article /was "truth and for the public benefit." Mr. P. H. Stewart, a member of, the Federal Parliament, gave evidence that he was indirectly associated with the New Zealand speed tests owing to being bondsman for the safety of the British Schneider Trophy aeroplane engine used in Mr. Smith's car. Witness had lodged bonds valued at £2800 with the Treasury. He had also .backed My. Smith to the extent of £500. He had looked upon the New . Zealand attempts on the laud speed record as a matter ,of national importance, and had ! every,confidence in Mr. Smith's ability to achieve that purpose. Ho saw no justification for the newspaper attack or for-the suggestion that there was a ; yellow Streak in connection with Mr. Smith's conduct in New Zealand. I 1 Cross-examined, Mr. Stewart admitted ,that Mr. Smith's reputation had in no' | way suffered by the "Smith's Weekly" i attack.

Mr. Stewart said that after reading the article about Mr. Smith he formed the conclusion that the latter had tmkered N with the engine while in New Zealand and interfered with its efficiency. Witness was greatly surprised when he read these things, having regard to Mr. Smith's past honourable career.

Plaintiff, recalled, continued his evidence. He said that when he reached feydney a person whom he now recognised as Ted Paterson and whom he had seen about four times at the Smith's Weekly" office, met him on the wharf, said "Good morning," and gave him. a small yellow flag, the significance, of .which he did not know at the time. He had since discovered that; it was intended as a gross insult. Mr. Paterson had made no other comment, but simply walked away. The hearing, was adjourned.