LIBEL CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1932, Page 6

LIBEL CHARGE

AGAINST' “DAILY MAIL” PAPER. BROUGHT BY TRANCE MEDIUM. (United Press Association —By Electro Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, -April 14. The hearing is proceeding of a claim for libel by -Mrs Mourig Morris, a well-known trance medium, against the -Daily Mail,” which' suggested. “that all her sermons were similar, and that her subconscious mind was era-mined with spiritualist jargon, which she could bang on to any textt. Remarkable evidence was given lor the defence by a charwoman at Latti-t-nce Cowc-n's House at Harrow. She .said .that- in 1929 Mrs -Morris visited -.lie house every evening, and used to go to the. library. The charwoman heard Airs Morris trying to imitate a man’s powerful voice, and also lien id Coweii say: "A little bit clearer, my dear." (Jowen later said, “That s good.” The charwoman thought that Cowon and AD'S '-Morris were rehearsing the phiv '“Laiulstone.’' The business manager of the Fortune Theatre, gave evidence -that he heard Airs Mortis apparently rehearsing her movers of sermon in Co wen s room. This statement caused Airs Morris, who was ill the court, to weep bitterly, moaning “It’s dreadful.” Friends tried to sooth Airs Morris, and finally led her from the Court, still protesting. -Steele, once Cowell’s secretary, said 'xiiat Cowen Used to .take Mrs Morris to his office and the theatre, tor half an hour, a power's voice would be heard delivering a -sermon.

-Cowen, who is a dramatist, and Ire•queii'tly mentioned in -the case, has been manager of seances at the Fortune Theatre.