ALLEGED LIBEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17882, 30 August 1918, Page 2

ALLEGED LIBEL.

A NAPIER ACTION. [Per Press Association.] NAPIER, August 29. Great public interest' was taken today in a libel action at the Supreme Court, J. V. Brown, M.P. (Sir John Findlay, K.C,) against G. W. Venables and Mulvana.h, for alleged libel. The defendants wero represented by' Mr C. P. Skerret/t, K.C. The statement of claim by plaintiff was as follows:—(1) On the ninth day of May, 1918, nt Nnpier and elsewhere in the Dominion of New Zealand defendants published in a newspaper called the " Hawke's Bay Observer," the following words concerning plaintiff:—"What we have pointed out we unhesitatingly state is a mean and despicable piece of dirty work from our point of view. John Vigor Brown, M.P.j has proved himself to bo a usurper, prevaricator and a public representative in Parliament discredited as such both in the people's Parliament and out of it. The proof is all the more conclusive, inasmuch that it comes from his own mouth in Parliament)." (2) Tlie publication was false and malicious. (3) Therefore plaintiff prays (a) the sum of £5Ol as damages; (b) such further and other relief as to this honourable Court shall seem meet; (c) the costs of this action The defence pleaded fair comment.

, J. V. Brown was an unsuccessful candidate for the Mayoralty at lasb election. Mulvanah is a borough councillor and proprietor of a small weekly paper, the Observer, 'i and Venables is <ihk printer publishing the paper. Witnesses niJled to-rlay included the town clerk (W. Murray), secretary of the Patriotic Society (11. ]>.' Anderson), J. V. Brown, if. Hill (the present Mayor), and the group commander (Major Ringland). The evidence dealt with the finances and me 1 ! hods of the Napier Patriotic Society and its relation to the Mayor and councillors. Plaintiff was severely cross-examined by Mr Skerrett on his speeches in Parliament, his attitude to the Germans in them, and his general relation to movements in the town. The case will be continued to-morrow.