LIBEL ACTIONS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10215, 10 December 1898, Page 5

LIBEL ACTIONS.

(PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAMS.) AUCKLAND, December ?. In the libel action, James Wilkinson and Josoph Partington, arising from what .is known as tho " Old Windmill" pamphlet, plaintiff was awarded £100 and costs. DUNEDIN, December 9. The Supreme Court was engaged to-day with the libol action Murrell v Gilkison, an action to recover £SCO damages. The case arises out. of a dispute in connection with, tho Cromwell Hospital. Murrell, the plaintiff, was chairman of the trustees, and-in what purported to be a report of the meeting by the Cromwell correspondent of the DunStan •* Times," of which defendant is the proprietor, it was alleged that Murrell presented a personal bill .of costs from tk barrister for £33 incurred in defending his position as chairman, and wanted the trustees to pay the costs, and, it was alleged, said he would not sit unless they were paid. The correspondent, in commentingon ibis, among other things said the chairman was putting a price on jiersonal actions, and that such a state of affairs was a scandal and disgrace to the district. The defence was chiefly justification and fair comment. The action really turns upon whether the report is a fair one of wnat occurred at the meeting, where Press representatives had been asked to retire, Mr Justice Penaefather remarking that if defendant could establish the facts, .it would require a good deal to convince him that the comments were not justified. After bearing the evidence, his Honour reserved his decision. ■ \