A SYDNEY SENSATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1875, 3 October 1906, Page 2

A SYDNEY SENSATION.

SERIOUS CHARGE ELICITED IN LIBEL CASE.

PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT Received 10.40 p.m., Oct. 2. Sydney, Ootober 2,

Some startling statements were made during the hearing of a libel aation instituted by John Norton against Haynes, proprietor of the Sydney News Letter.

Morris, a City Council employee, stated that he was formerly in Norton’s employ. A man named Grohn, who was a sort of lianger-on, was at Norton’s houso on November the 9th, 1902. Witness was present on the- occasion. Norton and Grohn were drinking. Both were drunk. They were sitting opposite one another, In the midst of an argument both rose to their feet several times. Witness saw Norton hit Grohn on the top of the head while the latter was sitting. Witness rushed to stop him. He heard Norton, say, “ you won’t tell anyone about this, you old , You’ll never say anything about me again.” Witness said, “Norton, you are the biggest coward I ever saw. You were not satisfied with knocking him down twice in the kitchen, but you must assault him again to night.” Grohn fell forward on the carpet, and Norton kept the bottle in his hand. Witness picked Grohn up, He appeared paralysed. Blood was flowing from hi 3 nose. When witness spoke Norton said something like “ serve him right.” Witness went to Grohn’s room at three or four in the morning, and found him dead. He wakened Norton, who, told him not to ring up anyone till six o’clock. He rang up the doctor at seven-thirty. At this stage Grohn’s death certificate was put in, It showed that the death was not registered by Norton till two years ago. Witness at the time did not tell anyone what had happened.