SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 70, 12 July 1876, Page 2

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

« —— [from our own correspondent.] $ Dunedin, Wednesday. THE LIBEL ACTION AGAINST THE "STAR." The criminal libel action against the " Evening Star " by Bishop Moran was heard in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr. Bathgate, R.M., and Mr. Mansford, R.M. At the outset. Mr. Howarth drew attention to an article in last Saturday's " Tablet " commenting on the case ; but the Bench .held they were solely-to determine whether a prima facie case was made out. Mr. Macassey, in opening the case, said this was the first time Dr. Moran had found it necessary to challenge the proprietor of a newspaper in a Court of Justice. It was impossible to institute civil proceedings, as no person was directly alluded to. The " Tuapeka Times " wasonly a paper with a small circulation, but the statement by being copied into the "Star," was telegraphed throughout the Colony. Therefore, it could not be urged in mitigation that the defendant was not the originator of Hie scandal, for the scandal had become aggravated. James Cahill, clerk ; John Griffin, merchant ; Frank Petre, architect; James Connor, printer ; all Catholics, stated that the paragraph occasioned great scandal. Mr. Grifhn said he never read a paragraph which caused him greater pain. Dr. Moran denied that any priest had been married here since lie arrived in the. Colony. There were no Sisters of Mercy here, and no member of the Convent of Saint Dominic had mai-ried. The witness had one or two sharp passages at arms with Mr. Howarth. In cross-examination Dr. Moran admitted he had instituted the proceedings against the "Tuapeka Times," but he had not filed the information. At the close of the case for the prosecution, the Court adjourned till Saturday, to enable Mr. Howarth to decide, whether to call witnesses for the defence. Mr. Bell was admitted to bail on his own recognisance of £IOO. THE ALL-ENGLAND ELEVEN. Mr. John Eva, Secretary Dunedin Cricket Club, has received a communication from Bennett, Agent for the AllEngland' Eleven, stating the latter is willing to visit. New Zealand if. Dunedin, Christchivrch, Wellington, Auckland, and

Nelson will contribute between themjj towards the expenses of the trip, and $, the eleven the respective grounds at tL places free of charge. THE ESCORT. The Southern escort is 13dwts. RAILWAY RETURNS. The railway returns for Otago for J.» are £9,806 18s. 9d. The Northern fo sion contributes £B3l lCs. 3d. THE ASSAULT ON BARNES. Thomas, for assaulting Inspector Ban* is bound over to keep the peace.