DEAD MAN .DEFENDED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 218, 15 September 1930, Page 9

DEAD MAN .DEFENDED.

;SLAN|ER CASE4T ROTORUA.. R.S.A. TAKES INITIATIVE PUBLIC INQUIRY ASKED FOR. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ROTORUA, this day. At a very large meeting, convened by the Returned Soldiers' Association and presided over by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, on Sunday night, a protest was made against tlie magistrate's remarks when delivering judgment against the late Thomas Henry Hulton in a recent slander case. The following resolution was carried: "That the Rotorua R.S.A. and this meeting protest (a) at the harsh unwarranted statements recently made by the presiding magistrate with regard to the late Thomas Henry Hulton in the case Smith v. Hulton, wherein he referred to Hulton as a thief, blackmailer, perjurer, drunkard, drug addict and blackguard; (b) that the Minister of Justice be requested to institute a public inquiry as to the grounds for such statements and as to the reason of the magistrate not directing that police action be taken against Hulton for perjury, theft and blackmail in order to substantiate the judgment, and (c) that this meeting dosires to place on record appreciation of the excellent war service rendered by tho lato Mr. Hulton and of his conduct as a citizen of Rotorua during the last 20 years."

Major R. Dansey and Major W. Sumner spoko strongly in support of the resolution, which was carried on a show of hands. ' /