MAYORAL LIBEL CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 148, 13 June 1908, Page 2

MAYORAL LIBEL CASE.

VERDICT FOR DEFENDANT. INTERESTING EVIDENCE. Per Prc&s Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. The libel action, Essex, late M»yox, V. Holwn, proprietor of the Manawatu Times, was continued to-day before M.'. Justice Cooper. Further evidence was heard for plaintill' to the effect that whisky had been supplied to laborers by a well-known 'ocul hotelkeeper, a friend of a contracto". It was held that this was the only occasion in which it was so supplied, and | no woman was present. For defendant live witnesses were called to show that a few days earlier smother cab was there under similar circumstances wherein was a man and a woman when men received liquor and cheered. Two of the witnesses believed the man was plaintiff. Mr. Coomhe, part proprietor of the Standard, gave evidence as to Mrs, Essex paying for an advertisement for Truth containing a violent attack on defendant. Defendant was two hours in the box. He deposed that he had only published thi statement tn<at whisky wtis supplied to workmen. His cross examination resolved itself into a duel between witness and the examining counsel, the latter seeking to show that the article was abusive, whi!" witness insisted on his definition of abuse, amidst general laughter in the crowded court, in which his Honor and jury joined. Plaintiff and his wife were called w rebut evidence of the witnesses for de fence that they had been occupants "f the cab which took whisky to the laborers, plaintiff denying that he had ev;r visited those works. His Honor, in .summing up, warned the jury that before giving a verdict wr the plaintiff, they must agree that the paragraphs referred to plainti/r, ant' also, that they were inspired by a personal malice of defendant. The jury found that the publications did not refer to plaintiff, and his Honor gave judgment fo r defendant, with costs on (lie highest scale. There was considerable public interes'. m the case, and the courthouse was crowded during the proceedings