WELLINGTON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 372, 3 July 1877, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE ON LIBEL. CONFERENCE FOE, THE SUPPRESSION OF INTEMPERANCE. THE 'FRISCO MAIL. July 2. The members of the Wellington Police Force were sworn in to-day for the official year commencing yesterday.

The Chief Justice, in commenting upon the criminal calendar, when charging the jury, pointed out in the fraudulent insolvency case that, under the Act of 1876, an insolvent was liable to imprisonment for two years if he did not disclose the whole of his property to his

trustee ; and that his deposition showed that the prisoner Grey had concealed the amount of his property. Touching the case of criminal libel against Henry Powell, his Honor said that in a charge of that kind that persons in another employment were guilty of misconduct was certainly libellous and defamatory, and if made with intent to injure them, became malicious, and was plainly indictable as a criminal offence. It would not, however, be malicious if made with an honest mintention and a thorough belief that the allegations were true, even if the allegations were subsequently found to be without foundation. There would be no case for malicious libel supposing the statement had been made with an honest intent in the first instance, and the statement would, therefore, in fact, be a privileged one ; presuming that in that case it was made without fear of prosecution by an action for libel. ' July 3.

The Grand Jury found no bill in the case of Hillsden against Powell for criminal libel.

A good deal of discussion took place last night at the Conference for the Suppression of Intemperance ; but an adjournment till Monday took place, without any result being arrived at, though the following motion was proposed : " That the Conference approves and recommends the main principles of tlie Local Option Bill." The speeches were very moderate in tone, but considerable diversity of opinion prevailed. The Grand Jury has made a presentment to the effect that there was not a legal provision existing in our district for keeping an official record of brands and description of cattle slaughtered by butchers, and the want of such record led to difficulty in tracing cattle, and the consequent miscarriage of justice. The jury also drew attention to the miserable court accommodation. The Chief Justice promised to forward them to proper quarters. The Australia arrived at San Francisco June 28th, having left Auckland June Gth. Featherston, July 3. Mr. Geo. Beetham was to-day elected a member of the House of Representatives for the Wairarapa, vice the Rev. J. C. Andrew, resigned.