EXPLORER’S LIBEL SUIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20330, 11 February 1928, Page 11

EXPLORER’S LIBEL SUIT

THE DAILY EXPRESS CASE. FURTHER CROSS-EXAMINATION. (Free* Association—By Telegraph—Copyright t LONDON, Febuary 9. (Received Feb. 10, at 10 p.m.) Mr W. A. Jowitt, K.C., continued his cross-examination of Mr Mitchell-Hedges, his questions being directed to showing that the latter was aware of the holdup being arranged, and that he frequently saw the men concerned. Claimant admitted that he' now knew about the abortive attempt to hold up his car on January 6, though he denied that he told his chauffeur to stop and return to London when the place of hold up was passed without result. Mr Jowitt also elicited from claimant that he saw the attackers between January 7 and January 14. This time he had a new chauffeur, Kenneth Taylor, who had been engaged after tbo abortive attack of January 6, his brother, Eddie Taylor, driving the car of the attacking party on January 14. Claimant explained that he learned these Mr Jowitt pressed claimant to explain why he carried four shrunken heads in the car, and h« replied that he kept them in his room every night. Mr Jowitt: Are they very precious? Claimant: Ascot and Mascot. He also had with him in the car a cheque for £3125, the proceeds of a share in a deal. He did not notify the police because it would have seemed ridiculous. He added: ‘‘This is a serious matter for me. lam fighting for my life.” When informed that the whole thing was a practical joke he said he was fiendishly angry, but later shook hands. He had threatened to prosecute Bagit Gray, who took the whole blame, but said he would have been the laughing stock of Britain if he had done so. —A. and N.Z. Cable.