LIBEL ACTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1707, 23 December 1919, Page 5

LIBEL ACTION.

GRIERSON v, NAPIER TELEGRAPH. It will be remembered (stated the Napier Telegraph on Saturday) that early in the present year Lieutenant Grierson served write in three separate actiohs against Dr. Thacker M.P., the Daily Telegraph, and another Hawke’s Bay newspaper, alleging that ho had been libelled, and claiming heavy damages. The Thacker case was heard, and a verdict of £IOO given for the plaintiff. In the case of the other Hawke’s Bav newsnanor. the defendants expressed

regret and paid £IOO. So far aa the Daily Telegraph Company was concerned, it decided to fight the action, and a defence was duly filed. When the date of the hearing was reached, it was found that Grierson had left for England. Sis lawyers endeavoured to have the case heard in his absence, claiming that ho had been balled away on

KIIUV I*V MM VI if his military duties. It was shown on behalf of defendants, however, that he had boon discharged from the forces some time before his departure, and might have appeared it he had chosen, and'tliat Ins absence was not in any way connected with military duties. 'Hie defendants objected to the case being beard in his absence as they desired to put him in the witness box. Tho Supreme Court refused to allow the case to be proceeded with in Grierson’s absence, and subsequent!» ordered him to find security for costs, which was- not done. A private telegram from Wellington now conveys tho information that the case was bo fore tho Supreme Court again yesterday, when tho Judge dismissed the action, and ordered Grierson to pay the posts, to bo fixed by the Registrar. \