The "Wagabond" Libel Case. Melbourne, September.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 224, 15 October 1887, Page 2

The "Wagabond" Libel Case. Melbourne, September.

A good dsdl (Of iWP l iB^ m enb and interest has been caused %y •"■fThe Vagabond's" libel action .against itho Wesley an " Spectator," Mr Thomas .h.ad lectured in Melbourne on "<fon.v,iots*and Cannibals," and the Wesleyana, -whoseisoissionaries had done good work in F^ji, woiie.&nnoyed at his statements. The "Spectator "consequently published the following::— w 'The Vagabond,' Mr Julian ThoHMXs,, ifoas travelled much, and has made tUe actjuajntftpce of many illustrious persons, hwt l£s love .of tfcruth has not increased with $\e increase of his knowledge and his &cqua.Unfc*Bice.. In spite .of the assertion fchafc ' tra* r £llers ne'er do Jfe, ' we venture the opiwori that ♦ The Vagabond' is furfclier from the truth tjb.tn when he was a boy. Take as , aip illustration of me&dapity tho _ Btate- i VOSnat made by Mr Thom.*s in his leatoire on « Convicts and Cannibals,' that &i»£ Thakombau became an exemplary Ciuvi^tian after the loss of his teeiji and the «u3tt' of his digestion. The bmui who could paixike such an assertion is utterly unwor-.tlby of credence and confidence." For tbU alleged libel "Tho Vagabond" claimed £2 t QQQ damages. Evidence was given thai the attendances at his lectures were eißAl'ler by degrees and beautifully less, bufc the jury could not be persuaded that the paragraph was a contributing cause. They found a verdict for Mr Thomas, but with only a farthing damages, leaving tho question o? costs to be argued,