LIBEL ACTION

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 14017, 21 October 1918, Page 3

LIBEL ACTION

INTERROGATORIES MADE. WELLINGTON, Friday. A phase of the action for damage for libel brought by Lieutenant A. H. Gricrson against Dr H. T. J. Thackcr, M.P., Christehurch, came before his Honour Mr Justice Chapman in Chambers in the Supreme Court, this morning. Mr T. Neave appeared for the plaintiff, Sir John Findlay, K.C., for the defendant. The interrogatories which the plaintiff sought to make were as under: — (1) Did you on or about the 27th. day of February, 1918, in the course of a sy)eech made by you at the Town Hall Wellington, use the following words of and concerning the plaintiff, to wit: "A few of us, Madame Boeufve and others, were suspicious of Grierson, and had his boxes searched. We found evidence that he was an arrant German spy. Sir James Allen told us that he was an elegant English gentleman, of 400 years' standing, but. he had scarcely got to the front when he went over to the enemy,'' or words to the like effect. (2) Did you in such speech use any of such words, and, if so, which of the said words did you use? (3) If you did not use the exact -rcords quoted above, but used words of similar import, state as nearly as you can remember the exact words you did use. "(4) Did you on the said occasion use any and what words concerning the plaintiff? (5) Were the said words or words of similar import or any of them spoken in the presence of persons known to you, if so, what persons? Sir John Findlay contended that if the plaintiff got an answer to the first two questions it would be quite sufficient. The others were only in the nature of a "fishing expedition." As to the fifth, it was an attempt to got witnesses for the plaintiff. His Honour did not call on Mr Neave to reply. The alleged words were uttered about a. man who was absent from the country at the time, and he had to resort to this means of obtaining preliminary information, and if it turned out to be the fact that these words were used, it was admitted that it would put plaintiff to a great deal of cost and trouble in proving his case. That was the main object "of tb° I.B.: terrogatories. The order would be made triS answers to be given within ten days.