ALLEGED LIBEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10063, 30 August 1918, Page 6

ALLEGED LIBEL

A NAPIER CASE MR J. VIGOR BROWN, M.P.. THE PLAINTIFF. Press Association. NAPIER. August 29. Great public interest was taken today in a libel action heard in tho Supremo Court, J. V. Brown, M.P. (for whom Sir John lindlay, K.C., appeared) against G. W. Venables and Mulvanah, for alleged libel. The latter were represented by Mr C. P. Skorrett, K.C. Tho statement of claim by tho plaintiff wa« as follows : (1) On the 9th day of May, 1918, at Napier, and elsewhere in the Dominion of New Zealand, defendants published in a newspaper called the “Hawke’s Bay Observer” the following words concerning the plaintiff: “What we have pointed out, wo unhesitatingly state is a moan and despicable piece of dirty work. From our point of view, John Vigor Brown, M.P., has proved himself to be a usurper, prevaricator, and public representative in Parliament, discredited as such, both in the people’s Parliament and out of it. The proof is all tho more conclusive, inasmuch that it comes from his own mouth in Parliament.” (2) Tho publication was false and malicious. , (3) Therefore plaintiff prays (a) the sum of £5Ol as damages; (b) such further and other relief as to this honourable court shall seem meet; (c) the costs of this action. Tho defence pleaded fair comment. J- V. Brown was an unsuccessful candidate for the Mayoralty at the last election. Mulvanah is a borough councillor and proprietor of a small weekly paper, “The Observer,” and Venables is tho printer publishing the paper. Tlie witnesses called to-day included the town clerk (M. Murray), the secretary of tho Patriotic Society (It. D. Anderson), J. \. Brown, tho present Mayor (H. Hill), and tho Group Commander (Major Ringland). Tho evidence dealt with the finances and methods of the Napier Patriotic Society and its relation to the Mayor and councillors.

Brown was severely cross-examined by Mr Skerrott on his speeches in Parliament, his attitude to Germans in them, and his general relation to movements in the town.

Healing of tho case will be continued to-morrow.