WELLINGTON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 379, 11 July 1877, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

THE OCEAX MAIL LIBEL CASE. July 10. Alexander Coleman and George Morrison, convicted of perjuiy in connection with the Ocean Mail case, were brought up for sentence to-day. Mr. moved for arrest of judgment, and pointed out that Mr. Deighton, Collector of Customs, instituted proceedings and then acted as one of the judges. This was his main objection. The Chief Justice, after consulting with Mr. Justice Richmond, held tliat the tribunal at the Chatham Islands was invalid, owing to the officer of Customs acting as judge in the matter, and that incompetency of one member affected the other two—a person could not act as prosecutor and judge in the same case. Prisoners would, therefore, be discharged on their own recognisances to come up for judgment when called upon. Prisoners were accordingly discharged.

The Po«f understands that three actions for libel are about being instituted against the Reformer newspaper : also, that three against the 2Tca- Zealand Times Company, for giving publicity to the same by allowing said libels to be printed at their office.

July 11. At the Court for the revision of the Citizens' Roll last night; about 100 applications to be placed on the Roll were not sustained, as the names of the applicants were not on the Valuation Roll. Great disappointment is felt at this decision, which is in accordance with the opinion of eminent lawyers. Some other municipalities have been deciding otherwise, and any election taking place upon the votes thus enrolled will be voidable.