THE SEDDON-TAYLOR SLANDER CASE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8143, 15 December 1904, Page 3

THE SEDDON-TAYLOR SLANDER CASE.

THE CASE PROCEEDING.

CPRBBU ASSOOIATIOW.I CHRISTCHURCH, December 14. Al the Seddon-Taylor case Sergeant Gannon, of the Seventh Contingent, also gave evidence relating to the Kaffir opruit affair. He maintained that the proceedings were carried out in a proper military manner. Mr Gpo. Laurenson, M.H.R., in his evidence said the conversations in the lobby were pretty free. They were of such a character as to precipitate many actions for slander, should they be published. There were grounds for About twenty libel actions a day. in the lobbies. They discussed public men and public matters in the gallery with great freedom. The incident which was the subject of the claim had been a matter of oommon talk in the lobbies. Mr Taylor had never used the words set out in the statement of claim.

Arthur ■ Gannon, Andrew Peterson, Alexander Speedy Archibald, James Harder, Daniel Alfred Jackson, Lock Cooper, Thomas Stevenson, Hubert Francis Miller, and Adam Blair, members of the Seventh Contingent, some of whom had previously served in other contingents, all gave evidence to show that Captain Seddon had handled his men in a satisfactory manner and in accordance with accepted military rules and traditions.. Their evidence was generally corroborative, and was not particularly shaken in cross-examination. , The Court then adjourned until the following day. CHRISTCHURCH, December 15.

In the slander case A. Cohen stated that Taylor used the words court martial in his speech in the House. Messrs Houston, Watts, and Fordham, contingentero, denied there was any display of cowardice on plaintiff's part, and described the engagement similarly to previous witnesses.