ALLEGED LIBEL.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1923, Page 1

ALLEGED LIBEL.

AI'CKI.AXD. Nov. 27. The Anglican Vicar of Wiiimate North. Bay of Islands. Rev. John M illiam Robinson, va.s >iieil in the Supreme Court for £~.'Y) damages, lor alleged libel, the plaintiff being William John May. the school-teacher at Maimate North. The alleged libel was contained in a letter which defendant wrote to -Mr Ihuilie. Secret;!rv of the Auckland Kdiieation Board, in the course o! which he said that "May said to one of my parishioners: “It you people do not. want to see your Vicar in Court, yo uliad better drop this matter altogether.' .M.v reply had been to publicly challenge the man to take the case to Court. 1 know well that lie dare not. He is the most unmitigated scoundrel I have met. and I have met some queer characters in my time. The plaintilf alleged that that was a laHe and malicious publication. The defence denied that the publication was false and malicious, and further pleaded that the words were published to the Secretary of the Education Boar.l in reference to. end in 'course of. a series of complaints against tho plaintiff, made hy the School Committee and householders, to the Board. The defendant believed that every word was true when he published them, and did so with an honest desire to protect himself and the children attending the school.