NEWSPAPER BEFORE THE COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 October 1917, Page 5

NEWSPAPER BEFORE THE COURT.

ALLEGED INFRINGEMENT OF REGU LATION. j By Telegraph.—'Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Brett Printing and Publishing Co. was charged at the 'Police Court that on September 21, without the written consent of the military authorities, it pub. lished in the Auckland Star a statement as to the whereabouts of a sea-going ship, not exclusively engaged in coastal trade in New Zealand. The vessel re ferred to was a motor launch that ar rived at Aitutaki, Cook Islands, on August 31. Mr. Mays, for the Crown, contended that the launch in question was a seagoing vessel. Jameß Percy Ridings, collector of customs and reporting officer, was called upon for information, regarding the launch, and he warned the reporter that no information should be published until it was submitted to thb authorities. Mr. MeVeagh, for the defendants, submitted that the scope of the regulations related not to such a vessel as a launch, but to larger vessels. Counsel handed in a copy of the proclamation of the Governor of Tahiti warning shipping of the danger in the Pacific. Mr. W. Leys, editor and director of the Star, said when he received the report he* considered it did not come within the regulation. Decision was reserved.