A WOODVILLE LAW SUIT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4165, 15 July 1892, Page 3

A WOODVILLE LAW SUIT.

Alleged Defamatory Libel. Important Point Raised, [By Telegraph.—Press Association,l Woodville, July 14. At the Court to-day, before Mr Turnbull, R,M., E. A, Haggen, publisher of the Woodville lixaminer, was charged, on tbe information of William* Byms, chemist and J.P., with publishing a false and defamatory libel on April 27th, Mr Manisty appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Southey Baker lor the defendant. Mr Manisty stated that the complainant had called on defendant to apologise, but he refused. Complain* ant gave evidence, stating that'he imagined the alleged libel referred to him and charged him with procuring abortion. On Mr Baker, lor defendant, proceeding to cross-examine him as to his treatment of a certain .person, Mr Manisty objected, and contended that the Magistrate had no right to en* quire into tlio fao'.s or truth of the libel) or whether it was for the public benefit, This was a question for a higher Court, and: the Magistrate mint commit for trial, The Resident Magistrate said such a contention took hiin by surprise, as in that case a man perfectly innocent might be committed for trial. He

commented vtry sirongly on the position of the criminal libel law if that were so, Mv Baker contended that as tlio defence was practically privilege, the Court could eiKjniro into die facts though not the tru li. If the English Act were in force, til'! lower Court could enqiiiie into the truth, and whether the libel was published for the public beuetit, but the English law was not adojtied in A'ew Zealand, The Magistrate said the point was very important, and adjourned the ease for a fortnight to look into the law on the subject.