The Gribble Libel Case.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 212, 23 July 1887, Page 2

The Gribble Libel Case.

Judgment was given by Chief Justice Stone and Justice Stone, who eat as the jury jn the libel action brought by the Key, $,

B. Gribble against the West Australian Newspaper Company ; damages claimed at LI O,OOO. The libel complained of was contained in the words " lying, canting humbug," as applied to the plaintiff in connection with his lectures delivered in Victoria and New South Wales, his statements api rearing in the Melbourne " Daily Telegraph " and other newspapers and his statements contained and .published in pamphlet?, in all Of which he made charges against the settlers enslaving the aboriginal natives, cruelly treating them, assigning the native girlsto immoral purposes, scllingthenatives. ordering half-caste children to be murdered by their mothers, etc., 'also charges against the Government conniving at these misdeeds. The defendants pleaded justification and the judges! agreed in giving verdict for the defendants on that plea. The Chief Justice said in all his experience he had never .seen a witness who so prevaricated, who so suppressed truth, and who was so disingenuous as the plaintiff. Both judges spoke strongly regarding the plaintiffs statements made in the eastern colonies and said that in the circumstances, the defendants, as public journalists were justified in using the words complained of.