THE "THAMES ADVERTISER" AND THE LIBEL CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IX, Issue 2520, 22 February 1872, Page 3

THE "THAMES ADVERTISER" AND THE LIBEL CASE.

Fbom our police proceedings of yesterday it will be seen that Mr. Charles Featherstone Mitchell, M.P.C., of Ohinetnuri, taking umbrage at something which has appeared in these columns, betook himself to tho Magistrate's Court and obtained a summons, charging the proprietor of this journal with printing a " wicked, false, malicious, and defamatory libel." The hearing was fixed for yesterday (Tuesday), but at the time appointed the complainant was non est. Our readers will, naturally, inquire tho grounds of the proceedings, and so far as we are acquainted with them, we feel it our duty to refer to them here. Mr. Mitchell, it is well known, has been residing amongst the natives of Ohinemuri since his departure from tho Thames, and it would appear has not made himself the most agreeable associate of the noSle lords of tho soil in that district To such an extent was this felt, that it was stated by the Maoris he would bo ordered to leave. The natives made no secret of their wishes, and the matter was chronicled amongst other Oliinemuri news in our issue of the 13th. On the following day a correspondent, writing from the Upper Thames, in reference to the stoppage of the mail, added:—"lt is said some .Europeans are at the bottom of it." Mr. Mitchell instantly applies the remark to himself, and seeks satisfaction at tho hands of the printer in the manner indicated in the police proceedings of yesterday, by laying an information, and then withdrawing from it on finding he has no grounds beyond those of his own creating to substantiate such a charge. J.di<jrlUer t Jfobruar/ 21,