£25 LIBEL FINE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 June 1935, Page 5

£25 LIBEL FINE

JUDGMENT AT WELLINGTON

(Per Press Association, Copyright)

WELLINGTON, May 31. In the Wohlmann v. Robinson libel case, the Magistrate, in giving judgment, fined Robinson £25, with costs £l7, and also witnesses’ expenses £l4 15s 2d. “In this case,” said Mr Stilwell, ‘‘l have deliberately endeavoured to waive the rules of evidence in order to give the defendant the fullest opportunity, consistent with tlie necessity of keeping the issues within reasonable bounds, of developing his defence. The allegations used in the offending article are all of a grave nature, containing not only an attack on the Commissioner of Police as a police officer, but containing also a grave alllegation striking at the foundations of the administration of justice in this country. With the admission filed immediately j before the hearing, and as the case has developed, it has become abundantly clear that the allegations in respect of the Oonnnissiofi'or, and incidentally, the Ministers mentioned in the evidence similarly, Mr Macmillan and Mr Cobbe, are absolute'y untrue, and that there was not the slightest justification for the references in the offending article. ”

Mr Stilwell said that an offence of a serious nature had been committed, and the penalty must, of course, be of such a nature as would lie an effective deterrent. Taking all relevant oircumstances into consideration, lp, thought that the ends of justice would he met adequately if the defendant was convicted, and fined £25 and costs on one charge, and convicted and discharged on tho others,