LIBEL ACTION FAILS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1155, 16 June 1911, Page 4

LIBEL ACTION FAILS.

INTERESTING NELSON CASE. (By TolcKrapli.-Spccial Correspondent.) Nelson, Juno 15. Nelson lias been greatly interested in (ho recent libel case in which Effie New. biggin. Richardson proceeded _ against tho Nelson "Evening Mail" claiming .QOCO for alleged libel. During both days on which tho case was heard, the Provincial Hall, where, the sittings of the Supreme Court aro held, was filled with some hundreds of interested spectators. When Mr. A. L. Herdman, of Wellington, who, with .Mr. E. B. Moore, of Nelson, appeared for defendants, addressed the jury, he was followed Willi the closest interest.- Ho dealt, with clearness and force, with each, point of tho case as he proceeded, and concluded with a striking appeal to the common sense of the jury. Mr. L. 0. Jcllieoe, who conducted the case for (ha plaintiff, also made tho utmost of all that lie considered to be in his favour, and brought considerable emphasis (o hear at all stages throughout a lengthy address. His Honour, Mr. Justice Chapman, congratulated both counsel upon their addresses, and said ho felt perfectly sure that tho jury hail had put before them all that could'bo said on both sides. A verdict was returned for defendants with costs, The verdict of the jury was awaited with eagerness, and when it was known that it was for defendants congratulation!) were received by the proprietors and staff of the "Mail, by telegram, telephone, and personal interview. The general sentiment was that the freedom of tho press in the exercise of its legitimate functions had been vindicated.