NEWSPAPER WARFARE IN VICTORIA.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2140, 30 January 1880, Page 3

NEWSPAPER WARFARE IN VICTORIA.

John Woods and Robert Woods, proprietor and publisher respectively of the “ Cubic Herald,” were on Jan. 9 committed for trial for libelling Eihvard Ellis, editor of the “ Colac Reformer.” The libel complained of Avas contained in the folloAving letter : “ AVAXTEI) TO KNOW. “ To the, Editor of the ‘ Herald.’ “ Sir, —Some loav years ago there Avas an evening paper published in Melbourne, the presiding genius of Avbich, when it collapsed, Avas about to levant from the colony, but Avithont the leave of his creditors. Knmour (whether rightly or Avruug) had it that this gentleman had given several mortgages over the plant—-which, by the Avay, Avas not bis own to mortgage —but, however that may be, the luckless creature was stopped in his inarch, and straightway lodged in the Melbourne Gaol, Avhere, with cropped hair, grey jacket, marked Avith the broad arrow, the appearance of the Melbourne swell, the dandy of the dress circles of'onr theatres, Avas speedily transformed in appearance. Indeed it Avonld he difficult (except by bis balfCockney, balf-Yankce accent) to know him from any of the select crowd of burglars and shoplifters avJio occupy that establishment. Instead : of sipping claret and champagne at (he While Hart, and doing roast fowl not yet paid for, he soon became accustomed to drink cold AA-ater and dine on hominy. When ■discharged fromßprison, he is said to have settled down Avithin about a ’hundred miles of Colac, and resumed the editorial profession, of course on the ‘ respectable conservative ’ ticket. lam informed that the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society arc anxiously on the look out for him, to communicate with the chairman of the society. Perhaps your local contemporary having a more extensive acquaintance Avith the ‘respectable ’ people of the district, can tell us something about him. Probably a new years gift avails him. Yours <tc., “ PIIILAX'iTIOi’JLI ST.” “Doc. 31 1879.”

The prosecution stated that the letter Avas false iu every particular. It charged Mr Ellis Avith several offences, and contained many libels. Mr Ellis bad never tried to levant from the colony Avithont the leave of his creditors, nor had he given several mortages over a plant that did not belong to him.