TIMARU.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 3400, 18 June 1877, Page 2

TIMARU.

June 15. The libel case, Heed r Skerrin, occupied a whole morning. Stout and Hammersley appeared for the prosecution. ; Sherrin was undefended. The evidence showed that the statements made in the Waitaugi Tribune against Reid were totally unfounded, but it did not fully establish that Slierriu knew them to be untrue. AEter some deliberation, the jury found Sherrin guilty of writing and publishing libel, but not of knowing it to be false. It was arranged between counsel, with the permission of the . Judge, that Cuining should plead guilty ! of libel, not knowing it to be false. Joynt defended Ouming, and pleaded in mitigation of the sentence that ho was ' intoxicated when Sherrin persuaded him to publish the letter against Reid. The Judge spoke very severely to defendants, pointing out the danger to society arising ,

from abuse of the liberty of. the Press. Mr Reid, through counsel, stated that he had no vindictive feeling, and did not press for a heavy sentence. The Judge said that iv a libel case the punishment must be such as would viudicate public justice; he therefore condemned Sherrin to three months' imprisonment, he having already been three months in gaol, and fined Cumiug £100, remarking that the amount would have been much greater had Cuming been a mau oi means. The money not being immediately paid, Cuming was detained in custody, but was shortly afterwards released on the fine being paid by a Timaru person.