FALSE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1916, Page 4

FALSE NEWS.

TV AREA RESIDENT PINED. At the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court yesterday Harry Brunsden, laborer, Warea, was charged bv the police that, on or a'bout .May 24, .1910, he did unlawfully send to the editor of the Taranaki Daily News for the purpose of publication a certain untrue notice of marriage of Miss Jane Duggan and Mr, A. Rookcs. Mr. Bennett (Roy and Nicholson) ap. peared lor accused, and asked for an adjournment on the grounds that he had only the day before been Been by Bransden, who was under the impression that it 'was a case for a Supreme Court jury and wished counsel to apply to tile Court for bail. This, of course, was a wrong but it explained how it was that he interviewed counsel at the last minute, and also how it was that he had taken no action in subpoening witnesses, an important witness being at present in the Auckland district. Counsel submitted that in a case of this kind opportunity should he given the defendant to put his side properly and fairly before the Court, and this, as far as counsel was concerned, was impossible unless lie secured an adjournment for a fortnight.

Inspector Fouhy 6aid he was ready to meet defendant as far as possible, 'but Brunsden had had ample time to arrange his defence. There was a large number of witnesses from the coast in Court, and he did not think it fair that the Court should have to bear the expense of bringing them in again because of the negligence of defendant. If however, the expenses were met oy defendant 'he had 110 objection to the adjournment.

The Mn«istrat.p said the whole of the trouble whs caused by defendant's delay. Hi! doubted if he could order defendant in such a ease to pay the expenses. The Inspector feared that in any case Brunsden would be unable to pay the expenses, lie having 110 means, if report was correct.

Further counsel argument having been heard, it was agreed to adjourn the ease for a fortnight, hut to take the evidence of the long-distance witnesses in the afternoon, the Inspector remarking that lie preferred to do this to putting the Court to the additional expense of bringing in the witnesses again, though it meant by doing so the police ease might be adversely affected. After the luncheon adjournment, Mr. Bennett said he had ascertained more of the facts and asked leave to withdraw the plea of not guilty and plead guilty. He could not account for the lapse, but defendant was the butt of the community, and regarded as a "softy." The offence was a grave one. but in this case it was just thoughtless stupidity. Defendant was not-too well mentally, and a fine should meet the case.

Sub-Inspector Fouhy said the report had been re written from a wedding which had been published previously, the names being altered to suit the ease. In sending the report to the paper, he had /urged the name of W. Hoffmann, but the police did not bring forward that charge.

His Worship: Is there any enmily between the parties. Sub Inspector Fouhy: Yes, there is a good deal. He could not see any eirMimstonees ) istifyin? leniency. defendant had been before the Court on previous oceiii ion;, A line ('I £5 win imposed, with Court costs £1 7s and witnesses' expenses £0 IC*