INTERESTING LIBEL ACTION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 137, 13 June 1900, Page 2

INTERESTING LIBEL ACTION.

MAYOR OF KUMARA v. AUCKLAND OBSERVER. THE CHARWOMEN INCIDENT. [OBITED fBIBB AB6OOIATIOR.] Wellington, June 12. The Supreme Court was engaged m bearing the libel action for £1000 damages, brought by Mr T. V. Byrne, barrister of Eumara, against the Auckland Observer, and based on a paragraph m that paper commenting on Mr Byrne's connection with the assault on two charwomen last session. The venue was changed from Hokitika to Wellington. The paragraph complained of said that Mr Byrne would appear to be rather a gay Lotharis when he got away from his own bailiwick ; spoke j of his attending an entertainment of a Bacchanalian character ; accused him of jostling the charwomen m rather a rough manrer ; and suggested that, if Kumara wished to keep its reputation, it ought to keep its fleet-footed Mayor at home. This, plaintiff contends, is an accusation of being a bad character, of being intoxioated, guilty of conduct unbecoming his profession, of perjury, and of assault, notwithstanding the fact that he was acquitted by the Magistrate. He had been greatly injured m credit and reputation m consequence. For the defence it is contended that no defamatory meaning is attached to the words, which are fair comment, m good faith, and without malice, upon the actions and conduct of plaintiff, which were matters of public interest. It is also alleged that the words are true m substance and fact, and defendants deny that plaintiff was greatly prejudiced or injured.,