“FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 276, 11 February 1928, Page 9

“FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE”

EXPLORER’S LIBEL ACTION PRACTICAL JOKE VICTIM By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. LONDON, Thursday. The hearing was continued today of the action for damages for alleged libel brought by the explorer, Mr. F. A. Mitchell-Hedges, against the “Daily Express.” The suit is in respect of an article published in the paper named to the effect that the hold-up of the plaintiff on January 15, 1927, was a hoax and a publicity enterprise. Counsel for defendants, Mr. W. A. Jowitt, K.C., continued his cross-exam-ination of plaintiff. His questions were directed toward showing that the latter was aware the hoid-up was being arranged and had frequently seen the men concerned. Mr. Mitchell-Hedges admitted that he now knew there had been an abortive attempt to hold up his car on January 6, 1927, but he denied having told his chauffeur to stop and return to London, when the place fixed for that hold-up had been passed without result. Mr. Jowitt also elicited the fact thatplaintiff saw the attackers between January 7 and 14. At that time Mr. Mitchell-Hedges had a new chauffeur, Kenneth Taylor, who had been engaged after the abortive attack on January 6. The chauffeur’s brother, Eddie Taylor, drove the car of the attacking party on January 14. Plaintiff explained that he had learned these facts later. Counsel pressed witness to explain why he had carried four shrunken heads in his car. He replied that he kept them in his bedroom every night. Mr. Jowitt: Were they very precious? Plaintiff: A sort of mascot. Plaintiff said he had also had with him in the car a cheque for £3,125, the proceeds of his share in a deal. He did not notify the police of the holdup because it would have seemed ridiculous to do so. He added: This is a serious matter for me. I am fighting for my life. When I was informed that the whole thing was a practical joke, I was fiendishly angry, but later I shook hands with the attackers. I had threatened to prosecute Bagot Gray, who took the whole blame, but I would have been the laughing-stock of Britain if I had done so.”—A. and N.Z.