THE NORTON CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81878, 1 November 1906, Page 3

THE NORTON CASE.

DETAILS lii MAIL,

A JOURNALIST'S REMARKABLE EVIDENCE. On the second clay of the libel actum bruugnt by Jolin Nurton, exAI.L.A.i ol Sydney, against Jolin ffaynes, pioprietor of the Sydney "Newsletter, a number of witnesses gave evidence to the effect thai iNorton nought 'o obtain adverti-ements for his paper. "Truth, ' by means, ct olackmail. Frank Cotlette, journalist, said he was at one time a writer for Norton, on space teinw. He had seen Norton blacken his wife's eyes in lSyti or ti>99 in the Pitt stteet oftke of "Truth.'' lie had also frequently heard him abuse her, .and Norton was .frequently prevented' from striking his wife. She generaly scieamed, and a police officer came in . At Norton's orders witness had written many articles attacking people's businesses. Witness mentioned articles lie had written which had been published, and which had attacked particular firms Two he wrote wete not published. Norton had told witness to make the articles as hot as ever he could. U'.tness insisted on being paid for the abides, and wanted to know why the at tick's did not appear. i'he manager explained Mr Bavin objected to tlie explanation, and the evidence was rejected. Witness knew Crohn well from about tijStj till about the time of Ills death. Crohn and Noiu.n were known as Bismarck and Napoleon. Crohn wa-. a wel!-di<:ased foieignlooking man, who at fir-t had an 'n denting busings in Uytiyard square, and acted for a well-to-do htm on the other side of the world. Crohn was well off from his.business. Ulien lie died he had nothing at all, and had at times been living in Noi ton's house. At other limes he slept at Stables at Oxford street. lie frequently came to the oliice and asked I Norton for money, and Norton »Hen threw him out. and unee kicked him Idownstaiis. Crohn would often cry,

and say, "Johnny Norton, yuu ought not to treat me like this, after all the money I've given you, and the way 1 saved you in Colombo from the police." Grohn said in Norton's presence that he had met Norton at Uon-

stantinople, when he was reporter on the Levant "Herald." Norton would abuse Grohn ; and rush h,im out of the office and threaten him with a revolver, which was always on the table. Norton always carried another revolver in his poc'kw. Witnesj spent a. fortnight in Norton's house trying to get Norton well after a drunken bout, about the time he created a scene in the Opposition room in Parliament. The

sight of Crohn used to nearly drive Norton mad when he was in liquor. Once Norton threw Grohn down ten stair.--. Grohn constantly wanted money, and Norton would use the filthiest language to him. The hr-t intimation he had of Giohn's death was during a scene between Morris and Norion in "Truth" office. On

one occasion Norton asked witness to go to Mr I'hilp and take a lot of information from him "concerning Willis and h:s dummyi-m." After he got the information, which witness told Norton would fill 14 columns of " :< Truth," >)oitton said, "Now I've got W. N. Wilis under my thumb, and I'll make hi in do what I want him to." At tins time Willis was either the proprietor, or was acting and speaking in the office as if he wen-. • When Norton \v;j- charged with criminally libelling Mr Car luthers at Atmidale witness had a conversation with Norton, who was \\ the company of Susan Hlackburn, the principal witness against Carrutheis. and a man named Frederick Parks. 11. A. Moss, solicitor, also sat down on a seat near the parly on the balcony of the hotel. Witness asked if he could give his evidence in narrative form, and then

went on. lie stated that Norton said to him, "I've arranged with Su sail Blackburn tu reel Detective find- when lie is coming up the stairs pp senile on the landing. .Moss is to stand in the doorway, Parks will hide behind the luggage here, and you are to be ready with your notebook. Susan will say, 'Hullo, Aliek, how are you getting on?' and get hiia into conveisalioii. Tli'-n -he will give I'videncr .11 Carrulhoi'-' favor." Wiin.'-a said. "Where will vou be, Noiion. in this coiispiiaoyi" Norton i'i plied. ••I'll remain out lie'e on the balcony til! 1 hear Susan raise her voice. I'll tush in, and you are to come out of the doorway' and lake note of even-thing that transpire*." V/iines- .slid ho replied, "No!; 11l have notlrng to do with your c"iispiiacy. Norton. Why can't you conduct your case straight out?" Su an Blackburn, who was standing • lose bv. e.mie up subbing, ;tnd said. "X", Mr Notion, afior what Mr Ot- !<!!■■ -ays. J wouldn't tlrnk of doing what you ii-k'-d ny." \\ itness then said, "This is a niee consp'racy, Nor-

I'm. (.11 ;i man who i- lining mui no injuiy. lie'" simplv collrelne,- evidence line {or (In- Crown, and 'c -■eni- lu l)i- aclin.ir very fairly." Nnit- n -aid. "You'll never (In inivtliiiij; I want yuii :m do/' \\"lni'-s replied,

••N": yu'll never net me intu a omspitaey Yfu've auaheed i| ye, y nie.-ly I" keep yourself out .111 the balcony while \ V e uli<! you've anan.ijcil ed the' matter to ||i„,| s ; ,l Allllillale. and «roie full repo. 1 for Mr </,-,r----rmhes soon afte tin- <■;,-,■. ||.. „■;,* now employed on the ''Xe«-k-tiei."