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Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 38, 8 September 1887, Page 4

Commenting on the now famous New Zealand libel action, Truth says; “ The case of Bryce v Rusden, which again came before the Courts last week, is a standing warning to historians not to put their trust in princes of the Church. The defendant had published a history of New Zealand, in which he had charged Mr Bryce with bloodthirsty cruelty to the Maoris. His authority was Sir Arthur Gordon, whose authority was Bishop Hadfield. It was shown that Bishop Hadfield’s testimony was mere hearsay, and quite untrue, and the jury gave Mr Bryce £5OOO damages. Last week an application was made for a new trial, but the plaintiff acepted mitigated damages. In the result, this reliance upon Episcopal authority has cost the unfortunate defendant Mr Bryces's costs £1144, damages £2531, and probably at least an equal Bum for his own costs, besides a ruinous stoppage in the sale of his magnum opus, and all the trouble, worry, and anxiety of legal proceedings.