THE ALLEGED LIBEL.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2003, 10 March 1914, Page 5

THE ALLEGED LIBEL.

NEW TRIAL. A new trial is to bo held shortly in tho case in which the "New Zealand Times" Company', Ltd., sues the' Wellington Publishing Company, Ltd., for £3000 damages for alleged libel. On Saturday tho jury failed to agree upon a verdict. "■■ . '

His Honour Mr. Justice Hosking was on the Bench when tho application for a r:o\v trial was made yesterday-morning. Mr. C. P.- Skerrett, K.C., appeared for tho plaintiff company in support of tho application; and Mr. C, B. Morison, K.C., represented- the defendant company. ■- ■ I Mr. Skerrett said that,ho desired to move, under Section 154 of thf> juries Act, for a new trial to procoed 'at the present session of the Court. . Section 154 of the Juries Act, Mr. Skerrett said, provided that if the Court thought fit it could order a'new trial. 'Task your Honour, therefore*" counsel continued, "that the trial shall take place at this sitting of the Court, and that your Honour shall cither'fix tho date or.leave, that to the Registrar." • . '

His Honour thought tliat it would be best to leave tho making of thn fixture to the Registrar, as ho (his Honour) had/ , to leavo Wellington for Gisborno very shortly. His Honour tho Chief Justfco (Sir Robert Stout) might be ablo to hear tho case. • ,--,

His Hoiiour made an order for a new trial during the present session, at a date to be. fixed liv the Registrar. i Mr. Skerrett: Then wo may take-it that the caso will 1)9 heard this session before a jurv on a date to 1)6 fixed, and notified by. the Registrar. His Honour: Yes.