SUPREME COURT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2697, 11 August 1894, Page 4

SUPREME COURT.

At Gisborne, in the libel case Mrs Dunlop gave evidence that she wrote the letter from her own express knowledge, and information supplied to her by persons whom she thoroughly believed, especially that by an ex-publicau. She bad no malicious intention, and intended her remarks to apply generally. In crossexamination she admitted that the only express knowledge she had was from staying at a pnblichouse a few days and seeing people going in and out late at night. His Honor asked what her object was in writing the letter, and she replied that she wrote it on high moral and religious grounds and partly to influence the elections. She still believed the things to be true of hotels generally, but had no intention of reflecting on the publicans of Gisborne, but if the cap fitted them they were at liberty to put it on. Her husband, who held a wholesale liquor license, saw the letter and advised her not to publish it. His Honor in summing up, commented strongly on Mr-; Dunlop’s action in writing such a letter, which, in his opinion, applied to the Gisborne hotels only. Nearly all the statements of fact were not within her knowledge. The jury after a three hours’ deliberation returned a verdict for plaintiffs with £SO damages. At Wellington, Frank Masters, with a previous bad record, pleaded guilty to an indecent assault on a child of tender years, and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. Arthur Henry Hinge, charged with larceny from the person at Palmerston North, was acquitted. The Ohief Justice made an order suspending W. A. Coates from practising as a barrister and solicitor, and reserving for the consideration of the Court of Appeal the question whether he should be struck off the rolls for alleged malpractices in regard to moneys of certain clients. Richard Blackley, for forgery and uttering, was sentenced to 12 mouths.