THE "TRUTH" CASE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9716, 11 February 1910, Page 7

THE "TRUTH" CASE.

SENTENCE OF MANAGER DE-

FERRED.

CASE TO BE STATED FOR COURT OF APPEAL.

Henry Stephen Coburn, manager of "New Zealand Truth," who had heen found guilty of distributing an obscene print, was set at the bar. He was represented by Mr T. M. Wilford. His Honor said that he did not propose to sentence the accused just then. He had considered the case, and thought it best to state a case for the Court of Appeal. Undoubtedly the statute was somewhat cunfused, and an interpretation by the Court would be valuable. He had come to this decision more especially as the case was one which involved a sen tence of imprisonment for some period if the conviction were upheld. Mr Wilford: I have here several witnesses who can speak as to the accused's previous good character, your Honor. His Honor: I do not know that I need hepr them. Mr Wilford. I shall assume that he has been a person of good character. Mr Willford: I have put that to him, your Hcnor. Still, I should like to call the sub-editor of trie paper, who will describe the means he took to remonstrate with the writer of the article as to its inclusion in the paper. His Honor: I can hardly see the elfect of that. It opens up new ground. Mr Wilford: It does open up new ground, your Honor; but I should like to submit the evidence. His Honor: You had better submit it, if necessary, after the Court of Appeal has given its decision. Should the conviction be confirmed, I can hear the witness then. Mr Wilford: Very well, your Honor. I can then call all the evidence I have, if necessary. His Honor ordered that the prisoner be released on the same bail as formerly, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal.