"MAIL" LIBEL CASE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 424, 6 September 1877, Page 2

"MAIL" LIBEL CASE.

MR. JONES COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. |BY TELEGRAPH.] (KROir THE PRESS AGENCY.) Wellington, September G. Mr. George Jones was again charged with libel at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before three Justices of the Peace. The Bench wished to have an adjournment of the case till to-morrow, when the Resident Magistrate would bo present. Mr. Kee3 pressed for the hearing of the matters at once, as he wanted to°get away from Wellington t: a', afternoon. Mr. Izard having stated the case, read a portion of the article considered libellous. Mr. Rees contended that the article was not libellous, as it only stated that Mr. Whitaker sought to pass an Act so as to be able to acquire a great quantity of land " by law," which was open to everyone else, and that his action was not stated to be wrong, but only unpopular. After a good deal of argument the Bench ruled that a prima facie case had been made out, and said the whole tendency of the article was to the effect that the Native Lands Bill ought to be called a Bill to enrich Mr. Whitaker and his friends at the expense of the public. Mr. Rees then wanted to place Mr. Whitaker in the box in order to examine him, but Mr. Izard raised the legal objection that he could not be examined to prove the libel at a preliminary investigation. Mr. Jones reserved his defence, and was then committed to take his triai at the Supreme Court of Otago. Bail was allowed —the accused in LIOO, and two sureties in LSO each.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Wellington, September G. A most blackguardly attempt is being made in the New Zealand Times to prejudice Mr. Jones'case which is still sub jvdice. Persons like Moore and Drumniond,Hay, tools of the are sending disgraceful telegrams to the Times for publication, and the editor of that journal disgraces his cloth by admitting them into the columns. One of these

foelegfems in this mornings paper is so and cruel to Mr. fliat it excites general indignation., .The wireslare being pulled by. puppets dance freely at tlifei* bid-* idlrig. ','■■', Mr. Gr. Jones has been committed for triaL m "Dunedin in October next. ■ J Mr. ~>¥liitalcer was summoned to give evidence -by-the defence, but pleaded privilege. The defendant accepted the committal and reserved his defence.