The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1889. THE LAW OF LIBEL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3111, 24 January 1889, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1889. THE LAW OF LIBEL.

The law of libel, us interpreted in New Zealand, frequently presses with undue severity on newspapers, The latest victim to it lias been the Now Zealand Herald, a leading' Auckland journal, jvliiou has been mulcted™ a penalty of £6oo' for repeatiug a statement made in the Houeo derogatory to the Hon Mr Larnach, and commenting thereon, The punishment for tho offence we presume means the loss of something like a thousand pounds, because in cases of this kind expensos are usually a very considerable factor in the subtraction sum incident to a losing libel action. It is very apparent that suoh a, ponally is altogether out of proportion to the wrong committed by the defendants, The New Zealand Herald is fortunately supposed to be a wealthy proprietary, but there are many influential journals in New Zealand which would be almost crushed out i of existence by the loss of a thousand pounds. There does not appear to have existed any particular malice on the part of the writer of the article which has coat the Herald'so large a 1 Bum, the fault rather, soemod to be an , almost oxousablo mistake about' a ' matter of fact, It would, however, appear that under the laws which i deal with such cases, the well mean--1 ing culprits frequently incur the heaviest penalties. An action brought sgaipsf fhe Wellington Evening Press two or tln'ee years ago was another case in point where the chmpt of malice appeared to, bo jbseiiji, and where a nominal Verdict carried betv/eijn one and two thousand pounds worth gi costs, It would of coursp bo absurd' to excuse or defend juy newspaper which ijiajp.ou.sly published ifefaniatoiy • statements. The proprietary of any supji journal should undoubtedly be .amenable to the law* but it is quite time that the procedure of our .courts wits sp far altered that, comments in which; malice cannot be sustained should to a fair degree bo protected, The money pnjsliment for libel is a very niißatisfac.tfy one, When a person believes that'he % teen darned by a newspapor, he usu/t!!y',Conß.u|? his lawyer and is advised, if'the proprietor' of tho paper happs to be worth powder and shot, to proceed Kgpsji him', Wf [o ignore the offender jf he cliancos to bo an jropejeuuious porsonage. .It follows, tesfore, Itiiat the wild has no}bjng to lose cauwith iifelSj whereas the printer available assets eamiotoilend mti)J!. ,t being liable to excessive punishment. Fortunately fbiy public men of auy standing care to heal their reputation by a money salve, and, if this .were not the case the press of New Zealand ! would soon be muzzled. As it is; respectable newspaper proprietors in the conscientious; discharge of their'' duties to the public incur grfcye ; risks.

'. Owners are notified in another column that nil dogs six months old and upwards' must bo registered, during' tho current month. - ■■'■.-; ■ '■Mr P. H. Woijd jiaaa .hjng catalogue of special lines for saioajitlid Patyertgji 11am and Ewe Fair which takes plaoa at Jhe Pastoral Society's grounds 'pp. Wednesday Peb. ,GW Other ont'riea are invited. ''■■•. . ■' r. ; . Tenders are invited by the 4Jfredfon Road Board for making. 4i miles' pf road at Ihuvaua Valley. Plana'"and specifications may bo seen atMr'BrMj G oorge's Accommodation House, ton, Tenders close Fobruary 10th., i

%i( of 40; liores'iiiihe' ; ffistei'ton'Siiiiiil;;- i'ftjnn 'sslf; tised v,Vl , he'"fbif6wiflg;"iß ,, Uiib/-Msnlb/ofi:;lhp; tilthigjniatiih at tibo Cartprton Sprirtiioh: us -tiie : Mastiortan??train' wasjleaviiig. state-Burrim Mse^?,?'■' King : ,6Bß6C3, T/rinps?.'''Sixteen competed. ; ■ •;■../.:..;•■:,?••??'.:';':S'?:?;::

. A'Bculliiigrnatiik for iiJOO; vbetweeu' George'Perkins,' the ex-champion;■:of England; and John- McLean, a'sculler from ..the Richmond Rivor, took place 6u the PmaniatW championship course on. Saturoty January sth.. McLejiiiivhiiis it •powerful oarslhah,'" though fluiiiiiivliat lacking iinislirled nearly.all -'tho-;?way, and won by six lengths, the time being Slmin. 53|sec. . .'■■'„: The tender? of Messrs Eeynolds and Dixoiv befog tho lowest out of ais for the erection of cottage orrthe'-.ppaki for Mr Pierce' Odtter, junr,,? has. been accepted,?' '.■:'; • "'■:■''• ■ We liave to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of the Wellington Monthly Review, a periodical which appears to be the exponent of advanced thought in' politics, theology,'.science, and agriculture, '''■■'■

)Villio' Oarr.-a well-knmvn'Masteiton jockey has purchased the four-year-old gelding " Obit" by Duke of Edinburgh out of Mir, but the price his, hot transpired,' Obit is half brother to Cupid, and was bred by the iiite Mr J, O.'Vallance, ' '.■'■■. '

We're going-to have a gay thno in New Zealand:! It iB estimated by those! who know that the harvest of 1889 will be bißger-by.C.000.000 bushels than tho biggest previous' one! Great stars, that's,bizj? And'■:prices are just about what the'doctor ordered too 1 Yes, at an average of ife:abushel, which fa very low, it means'close on a million sterling more - than wo ever got for our grain before 1 <And thou there : are potatoes,' and hay'aiid flarfind butter and cheese and meat, all abundant and all up in price! Wool tool-The Now Zealand clip this year will bo the biggest and best of all, and the price promises to be very fair I I don't seo what's going to stop the 'colony making a big haul I —Press puffs. '- ■

We have received'from Mr A.' T. Danvers, ■ Secretary »f the Napier Pwk Pacing Club, 'tho'programme of their AutumnMoetiiig, to bo held on March 2Uth and 27th. The first day contains sovon events value £565, and the second tho same number value £530. The winter meeting of this Club will be held on June'26th, There aro six races of tho total value of M 5.

William Jameson, for many years (he champion heavy-weight, wrestler of England, died at Penrith Cumberland, in thti latter end of November, in his fiftieth year, During his career he won the great prizes at. Carlisle, Newcastle,- London, Manchester, Liverpool, &c, ami unco wetit over to Paris to wrestle a'.match with a great French athlete of tiro period whom ho debated. Ho was also at ono tiuio a capablo polo-leaper, although 'scaling between J7st. and 18st. During his long career the breath of a suspicion was. never levelled at him,

Two bachelors, who with gfchers "anus; it"on.one of the Napier hills, were approaching their homo one evoning recently. They 6aw Borne youngsters about 9 or 10 years of age, smoking cigarettes and letting off crackers, The bachelors moralised, and after dwelling upon the evil effect of tobacco on boys, and tho danger likely to result from firing crackers, went on wondering to thornselves where the boys got the money wherewith to purchaao cigarettes and fireworks. < That night the bacholors had to change their clothes to go out, and then they found that their trousers pockets, •which should hare contained notes and silver, had only the notes in them. Tho bachelors concluded then that it was not difficult to decide how the boys got the caßli.'-H.B. Herald, A number of shoop appear to be missing front tho'attttiiiit known as "Mni," on the East Uoust,' The'next neighbour reports.to havo seen a man with two clogs, and describe him and his dogs, but'ihought it was one there from the station; on legitimate business, 1 Gn enquiry, however, it proves that no one belongiug to the place was in thai diroction on tho day moutioned. It has also,.boon proved.that.most of tho neighboring station hands wero away on that day, enjoying their holiday, it being. Boxing Day, The thief evidently selected his opportunity. The proprietor tells us that something of a puzzle has beon working in that direction for years, and this seemingly plain case, he hopes, will clear up a long unsolved mystery. Wo hear Constable Collerton has tho matter in hand.

Our Foxton contemporary says:—More dibits should be made to secure artesian wator supply. Geologists seem alwaysat fault, probably owing to the peculiarly of tho strata, from tho effects' of .earthquakes, Qn tho West Coast we havo been assured that it was ridiculqus tooxpect to get a flow of water by sinking, yet Mr George Richardson has got a grand supply that way, a pipe having been driven down, and now all ho has to do, is Bimply to turn a tap on, when ho wants water. In Kairanga wo believe that it has also been found successful, Hjfowiscin Oauipbelltown, and lastly we jearn that the Gear Cvmpsny, beini; defeated in getting a supply from the Knrokorostream had pipes driyon to test the ground for p artesian supply, The result .was .'.very very, satisfactory, and they have now., four' wolls, ■■>. each giyipg a splendid flow of water amounting tp.70,000 gallons per day suih'cieiit for their present requirements, Two of those wells run'into a conorete tank, holding 10,000 gallons, whioh supplies .tho whole of the felltnongory, Willi such a wide range of country as this, it would be justifiable to make an attempt in this district,

. fhe intercolonial cricket match Tasmania y, "Vietprm.- was brought to a termination' on tlio Eapt Jjlelboumo Cricket ground on Saturday, January jj., and resulted in a victory for Victoria:by in'iie wjekots. ■ Th.e Victociaushaflniadp 230nui'sJu tlio lif.st innings pd disposed ■iifthj!TVspnians fur ij7, pi l l|ii) in arroar. .:'P|e .visitors fiiliuKed oji' aiijj !))ailu j|' r.iither better stand, for when tlicir second innings plescd tjiey li»d scored 190 runs, leaviug the Victorians 8!) to get,' Hock formerly of CambriuVo 'University, who played both agaipst and with the last Australian Eleven in Eng. landi gave a fiiio display of batting, and [contributed 102. to the score having given only one chance, Tenof the Victorians were tried at bowling during Rock's iimings, Lewis, j'iid Ovsr were the most successful boji'lvTifi >t(<>tt ,w4 the two Australian leprOS'eii'fetjves, weiji i« the wickets tolijako'tlie neCß#y. 8?' tufts, liavingr gQ minutes io. do so. Trotl rapidly scored ii'nbjle Worral contriand 'Morris, wl)o Ti;ptt when the J(atter' was caught wade, hits.. ■' ."'■ ...

, Puringfte pajt month our fhomosm ' fe njjipbefa of ~ ~ ■'■'••'»» tai! i»-.'lw hiilfeir. sup theattrau. / ~,>,.1 V .j 6 Jro Hfl|i,e mantlo department ..,'■- Wellington. ;...'■ .•••! in millinery ;vc were fortunate in being •able to enwtly suit tho taste of our patrons, and for style, fashion, and thoharinunions blending colours, we are as yet unrivalled, in the city. Wo have still the same ability and lueauß at our command, andduring.thc present' month shall, show' some special Hoveltics in Indies' trimmwl hats,atTeAro HflUSe, Wellington,-V-: :. " ; : Our mantle and costume department has also been the scene of great /activity, Wo have sold an amazing iwmlicr.'/if ladies' jackets and mantles of the most fashionable deseriptioii| and our costumes have been the subjects of imieh admiration .at 'l'e Aro House,' Wellington. .'" /■;:_..' : We hiive a very choice lot of ladies' : costumes, in all descriptions of fairies, and m' a great N varioty of ftshionable sty!es,;/cbm; ; ptuiiig;. piintij-zephy's,- sateen, broohc, ' Swissembriodered, yeiling3 ; : ; Ppiigee and : Liberty •silks',' ranging: from jSsi.Cdto. six guineas, at ( .Te Avo floussi' Wellington.'- : ■'■"';■.' IVe cordially jav/te any visitors ftom tte countty ivhomay bd flaying foi'a. while iii the city to visit our sbpowroom when everyattoution and inVib'ty wj)f.be shpprtith-' '■: cut attempting tovpress-pnrcl/ase?, at fe Aro Housa/.Welllngtott'.^-iABVT. '■ v V.'..' j.

for a,few dnySi' : kihdv?^UlV^ by:wiiy; of; x Ki s v, . received aiVotfuc.that; thoi;fiiie'' ihippaed in the : repbuji liteVaUi t^ ; ;lJrou«h'fc f iy;M frayed by a publicisubsciiption,, They htire|;however,'decliuwl the proposal;'V : ';-/Ib;ißprHbabio'thatVtlio:;Bittiniß;bf'"tKe' NatiyejLawl/8 Court at ; *>)yill last'tlireo .months', so liiuoh hack busiiieia hastobesettlediC ;.':: v k^

J?? .Yestiirday the rotunrlfeClulji match was plnyed : off Lptwt'on; the and: Wellington? Bowling; Clubs,?which aftera well coritestedgkine, resulted in aiiothoviviiii«r.;ffai)gamiij'.

'. Tli'e.Ohrißtcliui'ch.Caicdoniaii Society at a meeting 'held yesterday passed a resolution -'Tliiit? Ib would be in the interest' of '?■ the • ■:, Scbtoh ■ iOnifteri ■ arid 'AustralnsiaV-if ,-we?: could?i?mduco ihe Government' to'-aaiid'a large number of Crofters' to.; the. Golonies, ?where, ?we believe, • the Government could be induced to grant a -'land- settleuiout near'' j the sett suitable" for fishing and other industries, ? . ', •?."•■'-■• •■ Tho mcuibera of the Ditnediii Bar' iutend onterfaining Mr J.'.E. Denniston 'atabanquet leforeho leaves to'corninence his'judicial, duties in Canterbury, Professor Baldwin's'balloon .wcent from the ; Christcimrch . Agricultural Show/greunda did not take place, the balloon not; being-inflated- in.-? time. 8000 people' were, on the grounds, and probably twicoas many ou tlie surrounding roads. '■'■;'■', '•■?'• '. ? As evidence of the fertility, of the. soil of Now Zealand; and that there is an abundance of food' in this Colony for man and beast in spite of all our grumbling about hard times and depression, a correspondent of the Auckland Herald points out that- during the past '. five months' has been estimated that; tho Union Steamship Company have sent oh an average thirteen steamers per week 'fully loaded with New Zealand pruduco of various kinds-even t-he : saloon, in Borne instances, having, been utilised for the storage of Now Zealand food for the parched-up-Australiaiis, On some occasions eveu as much as ■ 2000 kegs ofbpfter have been carried on deck, Contrast this with the produce of Queensland, whoso produce circulars (lately received in Auckland) show that the wheat yield thore will be four bushels to the aore; and, considering the cheapness of labour thero, this may be considered a fair average. "Pniuk of this," siiys the correspondent, "ye. Now Zealand growlers, and be thankful!"

Messrs Lmvos & lorns announce their .noxt Stock Sale for Wednesday, 30th hist- ',.'■':,- ' The weekly rinking party takes placo this evening at tho Theatre Royal, and Mr Pearson's band will bo in attendance. Air F, H. Wood adds a lino of fifteen pigs to his catalogue for Thursday's Stock Sole at Taratahi, A special meeting of tho Wairarapa Cricket Association takes place to-mor-row, Friday, at 6.30 p.m. at Carterton, to make fixtures for matches, ' Mr Dyer, of the Bank of Australasia, j leaves to-day for Fielding. His many frionds hore will regret his- departure,! but will be consoledby the fact that his removal means promotion. At a meeting of the A, and P. Association Dnnedin,. a letter was received suggesting tlmt a big show be held in connection with the Exhibition, and stating Jhafc probably a numbor of societies' round about Dunedin would forego their own shows for ono year and assist in having one largo show. The idea was considered a good one and it was resolved to communicate with kindred societies on the subject.

We regret to learn of the death after a short illness of Mrs Bradbury, the wife of our local scenic artist, Mr''A,;M, Bradbury. Mrs Bradbury was confined son.e nine days ago, and inflammation subsequently supervenins,- her death was the result after a brief but excessively painful illness. •

Energetic offotta ate being made by the Church authorities in connection with the Kuripunr Weslcyan Sunday School, to raise funds for the orecfiori of ft school buudintr' for the children. | A Bite has already been secured, and labor for the construction promised' free. Parents are now being canvassed to provide the material for the building which is all that is wanted for the work to be proceeded with, The Tablet imoteß an Irish' paper to the following effect:—"A solicitor named Shannon, on behalf of tho London Times, visited the convict prison, Downpatrick', and had an ■ interview "ivith Josopb Mullet and Edward M'Caffrey, two of the men implicated in the Phoonix Park massacre, Both .convicts refused to make any statement, and the solicitor left them under the impression that an application would be made to the Commissioners at the present sitting in Loiukm to compel their atteudahce and give. evidonco, The convicts expressed themselves pleased with the prospect .of a ttinporary release from prison," .'.'•"

A iniddlo aged man mimed John Smith' was brought before the Napier R.M, Court on Monday charged with having attempted, a criminal assault upon ono Ellen Barker, at about half-past eleven on Saturday evening, The woman who is about sixty years of age. resides with her husband in one of tlio Government cottages in Thackeray street; and at the timo above named she went to (the Exchange Hotel for the purpose of getting a pint of beer for supper. Mrs Baker had not gone far when; she discovered that a man was following her. Smith ran iip to her, dragging her to the othor oud of the street where thoro iB a ditch, Hothre.wherdown,andastrugglo onaued. Despite all the efforts of Smith to prevent her calling'for assistance, she eventually succeeded 1 by her cries in attracting tho attontion of Messrs Ward and Castle, who live noar the spot where the occurence took place,, Smith, after- . strong resistance,, was seized, and held while n -constable «'as sent for. Tho police arrived shortly afterwards,'' and Suijth was taken into custody.. A remand was granted at the rofpiest of the police,--rNapier Telegraph. : . Tho office™, who where dispatched by t|io secretary for Mines. (Mr ; 0.. W. Langtreo) to visit the Castleinaine ..district and report upou tho damage dono by. the recent'floods 'tnewhave returned to Molbouruo. They endorse the accounts of the 'disastrous nature of the floods which have beon published from day- to day in the columns of The Argus. The damage done.. to the reservoirs in tlio Idistrict lias.,fortunately, beon slight, es!)i.'p|i iu the case of .the Expedition |lfass'rcs'orvolr;,' which, had to be cut away. "Ad.'idiSa Of the force of the wafer whioh flowed' into tlio Coliban .Inay be gained from.'tlio fact that trees of great 3i?d.we>'/! uprooted by tho' current and ..deposited ori tho top of t]io barks of the reservoir...Fortunatelythpydijj.no injury to the embankments. The .Coliban rcgjry'iir'is jiojy .quite full, auu' the wijter ij file bjiwaauei This j§ titp fijist fime thai tlje,regei'v-flir has ¥ea iilM suwe Jib 'fay'n&w.Vm

.- ■" '• tlifl'phTof raiseduuu.-...w Avii mi tlip engineer (Mr btuart aim.,. ' *..« .i» quantity T ot wator.now iinpuuiideu. . greater than has evor been detained at any other time since the reservoir-' waß constructed;; The residents Of Castleuniiiio intend to wait upon the"Oommisjaioiier of Public Worjjaat an early date .to j(rgp. that the Government should render assistance to tho local bodies whose Wurks lmve'beim dammi-:,: ; 'S ■••.■'•';- : 'S>''-- : "';.';:-'^