THE DOHERTY CASE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5835, 11 December 1879, Page 2

THE DOHERTY CASE.

(pee press agency.) Blenheim, Wednesday. _ Doherty’s case was opened to-day. He is indicted for libelling Mr. W. Earle. Mr. Travers, for the defence, put in a special plea that the defendant was not guilty, and also that the allegations in the alleged libel were true in substance and in fait; that it was true Mr. Earle had his neice, and had frequent incestuous intercourse with her while she was living with him and under his care and protection ; and the defendant further pleaded that he published the alleged libel for the public benefit, as Mr. Earle was, about the time of its publication, a councillor for the Borough of Blenheim, and also a grand officer in the Order of Goed Templars for the South Island, and holding office : .r. the Church of Scotland, Blenheim, and .; ; ’ g-aud juror. Mr. Connolly, for Mr. i■ icinurred, and asked for a brief adjournment, which was granted for one hour. The result of the case depends upon how far the public good can be shown to be concerned I in the publication of the matters complained of.

LATER. Af:u’ - tV* fulj 'Ura!Ur-it Mr. Connolly .'aid the CX',! il i- /-* “U- i'he Finite ;:ton of the libel h.is been nr .ve.l. Mr. Tr.ivers has just outline! tee must horrible story of human depravity I li iv ; ever heard. The '‘Virc ih-a a-lj 'Uraed till 2 pan., when the girl Tov.’a.cud eive. ev,deuce. llie offence is a 1 cv 1 to have been repeated during several vcure.