ACTION FOR SLANDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1919, Page 4

ACTION FOR SLANDER.

AGAINST DR. TIMCKEB. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Night. » The hearing or an action for siandef 7 and a claim lor ioOUO damages,' brought by Alex. Hugh Urierson a&uiutit Ur. 'A'liuciier, ALP., began, this afternoon. The words complained oi were alleged lo have been uttered on or about i?"et>ruary ii, J .Mb, at a public meeting in the Town Hail, Wellington They were: "A few of us, Madame Boeulve and oilier* wen: auspicious of Oricrson and had his boxes searched We found evidence liiat he was au arrant spy. Sir Jumea Allen told us that he was an elegant Kngiisii gentleman of 40 years s Lauding, but he liad scarcely got to tho front when lie went over to the enemy." The defence was a denial that defendant had ever .spoken or published the words, which counsel for plaintiff, io his op'auiug address, said was meePp' ing the charge witli another lie, as a number of witnesses would support tha statement that Thacker had used the words. Grierson gave evidence of the Scotch nationality of his parents, of his studying in Germany for commercial purposes, enlisting and clearance, also of charges brought against him by the anti-O'erman Leapue. lie served at the front till his health broke down. In 1917 he wis awaiting orders from England to return to the front when he heard of ft". Thacker's charges. At lirst he thought they were a practical joke. J. R- Smith, a reporter, stated he had ta:kcn a shorthand note of certain sen' fences uttered by Dr. Thacker, and produced the note covering the words mentioned in tho statement of claim. Major Albert Samuel deposed that he! had attended the meeting and heard Dr.Thacker say that Grierson had gone over, lo the enemyThe case is to be continued to-mor-r row. i '~