SUPREME COURT.
VIGOR (BBJOWN'S LIBISL AOTION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Napier, Last Night. Great public interest was taken to-day in the libel action in the Supreme Court by J. V. Brown, M.P. (Sir John Findlay) against G. W. Venables and Mulvanah, for alleged libel, the latter being repre-" sented by Mr. C. P. iSkerrett, K.C. The statement of cljiim by plaintiff was as follows::—(1) On May 9, 1918, at Napier and elsewhere in the Dominion, defendants published in the newspaper called tho Harwtke's Bay Observer the following words concerning plaintiff:—"What we have pointed out we unhesitatingly state is a mean and despicable piece of dirty work. From our point of view, John Vigor Brown, M.P., has proved himself to be a usurper, prevaricator, and public representative in Parliament discredited as such, tooth in the peoples' Parliament and out of it. The proof is all the more conclusive, inasmuch that it comes from his own mouth in Parliament." (2) The publication was false and malicious. 3) Therefore, plaintiff prays—(a,) the sum ol £5Ol as damage (<b) further and other relief as the Courf shall' seem meet, (c) the costs of this action. The defence pleaded fair comment. J. V. Brown was an unsuccessful can j didatc for the mayoraly at last Mulvanah is a borough councillor and proprietor of a small weekly paper, The Observer, and Venables is the printer ftnd publisher. The witnesses called to-day included the town clerk,'the secretary of the Patriotic Sociejv, J. V. Brown, the present Mayor, and the group commander. The evidence dealt with the finances and methods of the Napier Patriotic Society and its relation to the mayor and councillors. Brown was severely ined by Mr. Skerrett on his speeches in Parliament, his attitude to the Germans, and his general relation to movements in the town.
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Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1918, Page 4
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300SUPREME COURT. Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1918, Page 4
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