TELEGRAMS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 56, 7 March 1913, Page 2

TELEGRAMS

f PRESS ASSOCIATION.! LIBEL CASE FAILS ACTION" AGAINST TARANAKI NEWS. NEW PLYMOUTH, 6th March. In the Supreme Court to-day -a farmer named James George Johnston, of Fraser-road, Hawera, proceeded against Thomas C. List, proprietor of the Taranaki Daily News, for £501 damages for alleged libel *at the last sittings of the Supreme CotiiJt. Plaintiff unsuccessfully proceeded against the Taranaki Herald for alleged libel contained in the heading and body of a report of a libel case heard at a previous sitting, in which he figured. Thereupon the Taranaki Daily News commented editorially on the' unsatisfactory stato of the libel laws of the country, which permitted a case of such a trumpery nature to be brought against a newspaper for doing its duty by the public, arguing that before a writ for libel or slander was issued the merits of the proposed action should be investigated by a Magistrate, and ohly proceeded with if the Magistrate was satisfied that a prima facie case had been established, and that an amount of money sufficient to cover costs should be deposited with the Court. Johnston then demanded an apology from the News for reflecting ■ upon his bona fides, which was refused. He then issued a writ against the News for alleged libel. The case caused' a great deal of interest, and the jury, after five minutes' retirement, returned a verdict for the defendant newspaper, with costs on the highest scale. Plaintiff conducted his own case, whilst Mr. M. Myers, of Wellington, appeared for the Taranaki News. PROLONGED DROUGHT IN THE NORTH AUCKLAND, 6th March. Prolonged dry weather has been ex-, perienced in the far north of Auckland this summer, and in come parte it.is reported that no rain has fallen since October. Much inconvenience and distress ha 6 resulted, for water supplies have become very ehort at various times. Cases of disease among the Maoris have been reported, but have fortunately not proved to be eerious outbreaks. Within the past few days, however, news has been sent to the District Health Oflicer that typhoid fever has broken out among the Maoris at Ohaeawai settlement, about a dozen miles inland from the Bay of Islands. Steps have been taken to have the Natives looked after, and a field hospital with a nurse in charge has been established. Ih consequence of the prolonged dry weather, stock in the North is suffering severely, as the grace ia nearly all completely dried up and affords little feed. Large areas nave been burnt during the season, and fern and- grass- alike have been cleared right off. LITIGATION OVER FRUIT ■ AUCKLAND, 6th March. In the Magistrate's Court, T. C. Shiell, of Dunedin, was sued by W. Grove, of Auckland, for £55 11b 6d in respect to oranges' and bananas shipped at Rarotonga with a certificate from the inepec* tor stating that, to the best of his knowledge, they were free from fruit fly. v Wne'n the fruit reached Dunedin ninety "cases of oranges were" condemned owing to being affected with fly, and were destroyed without Teaching defendant. Mr. Kettle, S.M.. fiaid it was clear, that the fruit had not been shipped in prime order and condition, s although it appeared to be, so defendant was entitled not to accept delivery at Dunedin. Judgment would be for defendant in respect to the ninety cases, settlement of the actual amount to be arranged by '-joun,sel. Defendant was allowed costs. Leave was granted to app«al. ■ THE NIAGARA'S STEAM TRIALS DUNEDIN, 6th March. The Union Company has received a cable from their London office this afternoon, advising that the Niagara (the company's new 13,500-ton liner) ran her trial trips yesterday at Glasgow. The results were very satisfactory. With 6500 tons dead-weight Oh boafd she averaged close on 18 Knots, while her progressive trials indicated that contract requirements were considerably exceeded. UNUSUAL MAINTENANCE CASE INVERCARGILL, 6th March. A case presenting unusual features came before Mr. Cruickshank, S.M., in which Frederick R. Bowden was sued by^ the 'police for the maintenance of a child named Cyril Bowden, now in the industrial school. It appears that Bowden married a woman who had an illegitimate daughter, who is now 23 years old. This girl, in turn, had'an illegiti Imate child, for whose maintenance Bowden was now being sued. The Magistrate said that under one part of the Destitute Persons' Act the defendant was the parent of Cyril Bowden's mother. It he had been the father of Cyril Bowden's mother he would have been liable, but it did not follow that because he was the parent he was also the father. The Act could not be extended to include the illegitimate children of his wife'.s illegitimate children/ The- complainant was therefore dismissed. MISCELLANEOUS AUCKLAND, 6th March. ' The City Council agreed to-night to increase the number of members from fifteen to eighteen. This is in view of the increasing amdurit of Work of the amalgamating of districts as Greater Auckland. Mf. Parr has consented' to stand again for the Auckland Mayoralty. NELSON, 6th. March. At a meeting of delegates of local bodies and the public last night it was decided that Nelson be represented at the Auckland Exhibition by a district court. Arrangements will be made to obtain the necessary guarantee. INVERCARGILL, 6th M&rch. The Supreme Court to-day hearH the divorce case Robert Westfleld v. Alice Westfield and Charles Wilson, husband's petition, on the grounds of misconduct. After • hearing evidence, Mr. Justice Williams dismissed the petition, holding that while the circumstances were somewhat suspicious the case had .not been sufficiently proved.