ACTION AGAINST TRUTH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 14 November 1924, Page 7

ACTION AGAINST TRUTH.

PIANIST’S PERFORMANCE. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, Nov. 14. The action for alleged libel in the case of Monteeino and New.. Zealand Truth was continued to-day. The Judge allowed rebutting evidence on behalf of the plaintiff. A witness named Walli6 stated that he was in the shop where the test was conducted from late on Wednesday evening until 2.30 next morning. He disagreed with anyone who stated that Monteeino was asleep for a couple of hours. Montecino rested his elbow on the piano occasionally, but was always playing with one hand. Witness went again to the shop on Thursday at 11.30 p.m., remaining there for 3-£ hours. Montecino never slept during "that time. The police frequently, visited the shop. Uross-examined, witness said he ktiew Monteeino, and Went to keep him company. Morris said he and another man who could not get accommodation owing to the hotels being filled spent Wednesday night at Montecino’s shop. They did not sleep all night, nor did Monte-' cino, who played continuously. Similar evidence was given by Henrv Monty. Several witness.es gave evidence as to calls at Montecino’s shop on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Monteeino was playing all ‘the time they were there. Monteeino’s father said he was there on Saturday mornmg between 4.30 and 6.30. There was no suggestion of sleening, but Alontecino was semi-conscious, though he continued playing. Plaintiff’s wife said she would have taken lnm home had he slept, and that would have finished the test. She _ tel level in everything being above hoard. At times Alontecino’s mind did not seem to be with them, but he" was not semi-conscious. For the greater part of two hours she was there.