A LIBEL ACTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 893, 16 May 1903, Page 3

A LIBEL ACTION.

CLAIM JC‘2OOO.

(Per Press Association.) Napier, last night. Tho hoaring of tho case of alleged libel A. E. Eagloton v. The Daily Telegraph waH commenced in the. Supremo Court today. Plaintiff’s statement of claim sots out that a letter was published by the defendant newspaper asserting that there wove grave reasons why Eagloton should not contest the licensing election. It meant that plaintiff had been guilty of acts of misconduct which rendered him unfit to tako a prominent part in local polities ; that lie ha 1 suffered in reputation and credit thereby, wherefore be claimed -CVOOO damages. Die defendant newspaper denies that tho words wore published falsely or maliciously, and that plaintiff suffered in reputation or credit thereby. Defendant further sets out that plaintiff is a convicted “ tote ” bettor ; tout at .ho time of tlio publication lie was a professional turf commission agent and tole bettor, and that the .statement was bona fido comment on plaintiff in bis public capacity.

VERDICT FOB TELEGRAPH

By Telegraph—Press Association

Napier, last night.

Later. —At the hearing of the iiboi ease, Eagloton v. Knowles, proprietor of the Daily Telegraph, several witnesses were called for tho defence, who admitted having wagered at totalisator oddsi with the plaintiff, who, in fact, admitted 11 toto ” betting. Two of the witnesses were youths, wdio stated that at tho time of tlio betting transactions they were under 29 years of ago. Other evidence was called to show that tlio construction put upon the letters which formed tho cause of action was that they referred only to plaintiff’s reputation as a *■ toto ” bettor. A verdict for defendant was given on all tho issues, with costs.