COMMITTAL OF GEORGE JONES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1346, 15 September 1877, Page 4

COMMITTAL OF GEORGE JONES.

[By Telegraph.] Wellington, September 6th. George Jones was brought up at the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before three Justices of the Peace. The Bench wanted an adjournment till to-morrow, when Mr Crawford, R.M., would be present, but Mr Rees pressed for a healing at once, as he wanted to get away that afternoon. Mr Izard having stated the case and read the portion of the article considered libellous, Mx liees contended that the article was not libellous, as it only stated that Mr Whitajcer sought jto pass an Act so as to acquire a great quantity of land " by law," which was open to everyone else to do, and that his action was not stated in the article to be wrong, but was only unpopular. After a good deal of argument, The Bench ruled that a prima facie case had been made out. The whole tendency of the article was to the effect that the Land 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 witness-box to examine him, but Mr Izard raised the legal objection that he could not be examined to prove the libel at a preliminary examination. Thereupon Sir Jones reserved his defence, and was committed to take hia trial at the Supreme Court of Otago. Bail was allowed, accused in LIOO, and two sureties of LSO each.