A NEWSPAPER LIBEL CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 55, 4 July 1887, Page 5

A NEWSPAPER LIBEL CASE.

(BT TELEGRAPH—OWN COERESPOJfDEXT.)

Gisborne, this day. An instance of the risks which newspapers have to run under the present iniquitous' law of libel, in publishing comment uponpublic afiairs and men, has just been afforded hero in the suit brought by Willoughby Brassey, solicitor, against the "Poverty Bay Herald" for L 5,000 damages. The ground of action was that the "Herald" had accused the plaintiff of improper, conduct with regard to rates received by him for Cook County Council. After a lengthy hearing before the Chief Justice which closed on Saturday night aft 11.30, the special jury brought in a verdicb for defendants with costs on the highest) scale. Mr DeLautour was counsel, for, defendants and Mr W« L. Eeess for plaintiff. Though the proprietors of the " Herald" have been victorious, they have had to suffer great lose and inconvenience, and the case is considered to be a strong argument" in. favour of an amendment in the libel law, in the direction of making it) incumbent upon plaintiffs to give security for costs, or for the Attorney-General to have the power of stopping the hearing of actions which he might consider trifling. The success of the " Herald" is very, popular here.