ALLEGED LIBEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 150, 25 June 1894, Page 4

ALLEGED LIBEL.

V A COUNTRY SCHOOL CASE. J i, CLAIM POR £200 DAMAGES. The action for libel being instituted by Miss Anna Wrigloy, late teacher of the Fairburn Road School, againsb Mr T. Fisher, Chairman of the School Commibtee for that district, occupied the attention of the Supreme Court the whole of Saturday, and at the adjournment ab 5.30 only the plaintiff and two oub of 17 or 18 witnesses to be examined had given their evidence. The case was t continued this morning. Mr Campbell is appearing for the plaintiff and Mr Cotter for the defendant. TO-DAY'S EVIDENCE. Elizabeth Whitehead gave corroborative evidence as to the interview in question between the plaintiff and defendant. She stated thab while the conversation was going on Mr Fisher came over to where witness was Bitting and sat down alongside of her on a low form. Witness gob up and went over and put hor back to tbe door. Mr Fiaher at once rose and putting his hab on, walked over bo where she waa, with the intention of going oub. He caughb hold cf witnesa and pushed her down, and then walked out of tho door. Before she had regained her feet, Mr Fiaher returned, and seizing hold of a pointer which she held in her hand, wrenched it from her and threw it down the hill. She denied having said that the defendant would not leave the room until the explanation demanded by the plaintiff had been given. She did not tear Mr Fisher's coat; she did not touch hia coab or himself either. She did nob attempt to aaeault or beab the defendant in any way. At the concluaion of the case for the plaintiff, Mr Cotter moved for a nonauib, on the ground bhab the Committee being a quari judicial body its communication to the . Bdhrd were privileged. Mr Cobber quoted a number ot aubhorities in supporb of liie contenbion.' Mr Campbell replied at some length. Hia Honor said he would be obliged to tell the jury thab there was evidence of malice, aiid that, there was evidence upon which the jury would have to say whether or nob tho statements were bona fide. He therefore refused to nonauit the plaintiff. Mr Cotter was opening the caso for the defence when we went to press.