PUBLISHERS’ METHODS

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 30

PUBLISHERS’ METHODS

“WHISPERING GALLERY” CASE. COUNSEL’S POINTED QUESTIONS. LONDON, January 27. At the trial of Hesketh Pearson in connection with the publication of “The Whispering Gallery,” Sir Patrick Hastings made a sharp cross-examination of Air Allan Lane, the publisher of the book. He asked: “Would your’firm publish a really horrible book?” Air Lane: “No.” Counsel: “Did you not tell a- harmless little lie when you wrote to the press declaring that you could vouch for the authenticity of Pearson’s book because you knew the diarist personally?” • Mr Lane: “Unfortunately, yes.” Sir Patrick Hastings expressed the opinion that the publishers and not Pearson ought to be prosecuted. Pearson gave evidence that the book was a pure “stunt” and was not intended to defraud anyone. He gave the name of Sir Rennell Rodd as that of the diarist because he could not think of anyone less likely to write the book. The hearing was adjourned. • ; VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. LONDON, January 28. In the “Whispering Gallery” case, Hesketh Pearson was found not guilty. Mr. Justice Shearman, in summing up, said that “The Whispering Gallery” was like a great many of the . reminiscences that were published to-day. Some were chiefly distinguished by vulgarity and others by a lack of veracity, but the jury had not to decide that, nor whether the 4000 purchasers of the book had been defrauded. The real questions were whether Pearson had falsely represented the manuscript as Sir Rennell Rodd’s diary, arid whether Messrs Lane and Co. relied upon that in undertaking publication. The defence admitted that Pearson •was a romancer who lied continually, but lie was not necessarily a defrauder. He simply believed that he had produced something appealing to modern taste which would bring profit to himself and greater profit to Alessrs Lane and Co. The finding of the jury was that Pearson'had made a false representation’ without intent to. defraud.