CLAIM FOR DAMAGES.
ACTION BY “WIZARD” SMITH SPEED TRIALS RECALLED.
SYDNEY. Oct. 10,
Mr Norman (“Wizard”) Smith has commenced an action against Smith’s Weekly claiming £20,000 damages for alleged libel in an article published on May 21, in which plaintiff contends he was publicly denounced as a ooward in connection with his motor speed trials on Ninety Mile Beach, New Zealand. The defence pleads not guilty, and further contends that the article was “truth and for the public benefit.” Mr Holman, Mr Smith’s counsel, detailing attempts in the car Enterprise on Januar-y 26, and subsequently, said that the unfit state of the beach blocked the trials and finally a fire in the car caused the attempt to be abandoned. On January 26 a maximum speed of 225 miles an hour was attained, the average being 168 miles an hour. Giving evidence, Mr Smith said that the beach conditions were not good. There were bumps in the sand all the time, he was there, and during his tenmile run his shoulders were badly chafed. The danger of the bumps was that after the car had shot into the air its nose might come down first and cause a somersault. The tyres were also cut by shells. Sand and water on the screen rendered it impossible for him to see where he was going. The hearing was adjourned.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19321011.2.100
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 267, 11 October 1932, Page 7
Word Count
226CLAIM FOR DAMAGES. Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 267, 11 October 1932, Page 7
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Manawatu Standard. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Log in