AN ALLEGED LIBEL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 95, 23 April 1926, Page 9

AN ALLEGED LIBEL.

DETECTIVES AS. PLAINTIFFS

FOUR-YEAR SEARCH FOR EVIDENCE

John Henry Sweeney, detective, and Francis Michael Cullen, racecourse detective (Mr. Finlay) yesterday proceeded against George Mills, a Karangahape Road grocer, and claimVl £90 each for alleged -malicious publication of a libellous statement. Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., heard the case. In addressing the Court, Mr. Finlay said that the action arose froi/.-the emulation of alleged anonymous and libellous statements against the plaintiffs. These were circulated throughout New Zealand and sent chiefly to departmental heads, the Minister of Justice and the heads "of the Police Department in particular. The case had been spread over a, period of three or four years, during which time a great deal of research and inquiry had bee ncarried out to try and trace the author of the statements. Handwriting experts had been engaged, and he submitted that they were entitled to special | costs. He was quite ready to go on with ! the case and had completed all matters concerning it. The day before the ease was to be heard, the defendant, however, ■ confessed judgment. He confessed only to normal costs, and Mr. Finlay wanted time to see exactly where he stood. . The case was adjourned till next Tuesday, when the question of costs will be : argued. . | . . . .