CLAIM FOR LIBEL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21621, 16 April 1932, Page 14

CLAIM FOR LIBEL

WELL-KNOWN TRANCE MEDIUM SUIT AGAINST DAILY MAIL REMARKABLE EVIDENCE (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 14. The hearing is proceeding of a claim for libel by Mrs Meurig Morris, a wellknown trance medium, against the Daily Mail, which suggested that all her sermons ■were similar and that her subconscious mind was crammed with spiritualistic jargon which she could hang on to any text. Remarkable evidence was given for the defence. A charwoman at Laurence Cowen’s house at Harrow said Mrs Morris visited the house in 1929. Every evening she used to go to the library. The charwoman heard Mrs Morris trying to imitate a man’s powerful voice. She heard Cowen say: “ A little bit clearer, my 1 dear.” Cowen later said, “ That’s good.” The charwoman thought Cowen and Morris were rehearsing a play. Mr Landstone, business manager of the Fortune Theatre, gave evidence that he had heard Mrs Morris apparently rehearsing “ Power’s ” sermon in Cowen’s room.

The statement caused Mrs Morris, who was in court, to weep bitterly, moaning “ It’s dreadful.” Friends tried to soothe Mrs Morris, and finally led her from court still protesting. Steele, who was once Cowen’s secretary, said Cowen used to take Mrs Morris to his office in the theatre. In half an hour “Power’s” voice would be heard delivering a sermon. Cowen, who is the dramatist frequently mentioned in the case, lias been manager of seances at the Fortune Theatre.