LEGAL NUISANCES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 81, 10 February 1879, Page 2

LEGAL NUISANCES.

Yesterday writes the Dunedin Age we were served by Messrs Haggitt.Bros, and Brent with a writ issued at the instance of that rising young member cf the BarMr. J. Denniston,-who claims £IOOO for alleged libellous references mad? to him in an article headed " An Indignant Attorney," which appeaodjn our issue of last Wednesday; Attached to the document whioh contains a declaration embracing the whole of the offending article written on foolscap is the following piece' of interesting information " The plaintiff claims £12,125, : for .lys costs in respect of this wrs service arid incidental thereto •; ujion satisfaction; of thp plaintiff's claim and pw-' ment of the costs to tlie plaintiff or hiß solu licitor within, eigljt cl§ar days after the service of thiß writ proceedings inthe act\oii will be, stayed.". i. Of course, we.have not .tjs -remotest -intention of satisfying the- plaintiffs claim/ The amount iji very moderate,but we are not inclined to deprive Mr pf

the gratification ho has evidently been longing.for of having a brush with the Press. Wo havo heard it stated that Mr Denniston intonds to demolish us, and we" mean to give him the oppottunity. As we have already stated, we are perfectly content to leave tho comments out of which Mr Denniston seeks to earn fame' and for' .tune to any fair and impartial jury in New Zealand. It is well that this question of libel should be fought out. For months past tho Press of New Zealand,has.,been.,, subjected to a species of terrorism at the' hands of a few obscure members of jtho ,j legal profession. 1 We have fully 'deter-, mined in this-instance to see whether the- • privilege Of fair arid, honnest; comment,' which journalists possess in emrM Mt of r the world where a free press iwrilmted, will be maintained. w