COURT OF APPEAL.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1497, 3 December 1878, Page 3

COURT OF APPEAL.

[Br Teleobaph.] THE TELEGRAM VIEACY CASK, Wellington December 2. In the Court of Appeal in the case Holt and M'Oarthy v W r ebb, the Chief Justice said the plain tiffs were seeking the protection of the Court for a species of property which at present had no existence. That could not be given. He thought the demurrer must be upheld on that ground, to say nothing of the other points. Mr Justice Johnston pointed out that there could only be copyright in respect of something published, and when telegrams were once published, the only person to be injured were those who had paid for the privilege of publication, Mr Justice Gfillies considered that the publication of any compilation of news in a newspaper is a dedication of it to the whole world, and in the absence of any statutory prohibition any person is at liberty to produce copies thereof. Mr Justins Williams took a similar view. MOUUXN V KIBSLING. In the ease Morrm v Kissling, in which the defendant, while employed to purchase land

for plaintiff, obtained a conveyance in his own name, as alleged, the demurrer to plaintiff’s declaration was overruled. The defendant intimated a probability of his taking the case to the Privy Council. DEXTKB V BRIGHAM. In the case Dexter v Brigham, in which Mr Briesenden is concerned, the demurrer was allowed on the third plea. DIVE V PICKETING. In Dive v Pickering the demurrer to plaintiff’s declaration was allowed. FISHER V THAVER3. In this case, also, the demurrer was allowed. REGINA V BELL. In Regina v Bell, the shooting case reserved from the Canterbury District, the conviction was sustained. The Court then adjourned till Friday.