THE PALMERSTON LIBEL ACTION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9170, 13 June 1908, Page 5

THE PALMERSTON LIBEL ACTION.

VERDICT FOR DEFENDANT. Press Association. Palmerston N., Juno 13. The libel action —Essex (late Mayor) v. Hobeu, proprietor of the Mauawatu Times, was continued today before Mr Justice Cooper. Further evidence was heard for the plaintiff to the effect that whisky had been supplied to the labourers Iw a well-known local hotel-keeper, a'friend of the contractor. It was held that tins was the only occasion in which it was so supplied, and no woman was present. For the defendant five witnesses were called to show that, a few days earlier, another cab was there under similar circumstances, wherein were a man aud women, when the men received liquor aud cheered two of the witnesses. It was believed the man was the plaintiff. Mr Coombe, proprietor of the Standard, gave evidence as to Mrs Essex paying for the advertisement of Truth, containing a violent attack on defendant. The defendant, who was two hours in the witness box, deposed that he only published a statement that “whisky was supplied to the workmen. ” The cross-examination resolved itself into a duel between the witness aud the examining counsel, the latter seeking to show that the articles were abusive, while the witness insisted- on his definition of “abusive.” amidst general laughter in the'erowded Court, in which His Honor"aud the jury joined.

The plaintiff and Ins wife were called to rebut the evidence of the witness for the defence, that they had been occupants of the cab which took the whisky to the labourers, the plaintiff denying that he had ever visited those works. His Honor, in summing up, warned the jury that before giving a verdict for the plaintiff they must agree that the paragraphs referred to plaintiff, aud also' that they were inspired by a personal malice of defendant. The jury found that the publications did not refer to the plaintiff, aud His Honor gave judgment for the defendant with costs on the highest scale. There was considerable public interest in the case, aud the Courthouse was crowded during the proceedings.