A LIBEL ACTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2935, 15 June 1910, Page 3

A LIBEL ACTION.

. PALMERSTON N., June 9. The libel case V. M. Braund v. E. D. Hoben, editor of the Manawatu Daily Times, was commenced to-day. The claim is for £5Ol, damages for alleged libel arising out of a. paragraph contained in a report on miliar and Giorgi’s fire, which occurred at the time of the Pawelka scare. A similar action is being- brought against Mr Warner, superintendent of the fire ; brigade. The case for the plaintiff is I finished, | June 10. j The action in which Victor M. Braund, ,of Wellington, claimed £5Ol damages from E. D. Hoben, proprietor and editor of the Manawatu Times, for alleged libel, was concluded to-day. The action arose i out of a paragraph published on th§ morning following the three sensational fires which heralded in the Pawelka scare. The paragraph stated " that an inclaiming, to be an assessor had interfered ' with the brigade in the course of its duties. The plaintiff brought much evidence, and after his case had been Heard defendant’s counsel said he would call witnesses. His Honor reserved the point as to whether the article was capable of a defamatory meaning—a point on which he expressed . considerable doubt. He put five issues | to the jury, the first two being as to j whether the plaintiff had interfered with ; the brigade, to which the jury returned no answer. The other issues to which affirmative answers were given were to the : effect that the report in the Times was I a matter of public interest and was made I bona fide and without malice in the bona fide belief that it was true and that it was fair comment. Judgment was accord- . ingly given for the defendant with costs on the highest scale. His Honor stated that nothing had transpired m the evidence which justified the insurance companis losing confidence in Mr Braund as an assessor.