“WIZARD” SMITH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 9

“WIZARD” SMITH

CLAIM FOR ALLEGED LIBEL CASE AGAINST WEEKLY PAPER. SYDNEY, October 10. (Received Oct. 10, at 9 p.m.) Norman ("Wizard”) Smith has commenced an action against Smith’s Weekly, claiming £20,000 damages for alleged libel in an article published on May 21, in which plaintiff contends that he wgs publicly denounced as a coward in connection with his motor speed trials on Ninety-mile Beach, New Zealand. The defence pleads not guilty, and, further, contends that the article was “ the truth and for the public benefit.” Mr Holman, counsel for plaintiff, in detailing the attempts in the car “Enterprise,” on January 26, and subsequently, said that the unfit state of the beach blocked the trials and finally a fire in the car caused the attempt to be abandoned. On January 26 a maximum of 220 miles was attained, averaging 168. Plaintiff, giving evidence, said that the beach- conditions were not good. There were bumps in the sand all the time he was there and during a 10-mile run his shoulders were badly chafed. The danger of bumps was that after the car shot in the air the hose might come down first and cause a somersault. The tyres were also cat by shells and sand, and water on the screen rendered it impossible to see where he was going.