The Wilde-Queensberry Libel Action.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7250, 6 April 1895, Page 2

The Wilde-Queensberry Libel Action.

, - - — -♦- — — - VERDICT FOB DEFENDANT. WARRANT FOR PLAINTIFF'S ARREST ' London, April 4. Wilde admitted close intimacy with a number of young men, but denied anything improper in it. He paid no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas's letter showed that he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. Wilde's case is closed. Mr Carson, in opening the defence declared that the plaintiff's protege's were among the most immoral persons in London. Wilde's intimacies were absolutely irreconcilable with his claims as an exponent of culture. His literature alone justified the charges against him. In conclusion, he claimed that defendant's witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove this charge up to the hilfc. April s. —The libel case agaiDßt the Marqnis of Queenßberry finished to-day, a verdict of " not guilty " being returned. The jury considered that the charges made by the Marquis of Queensberry were for the public benefit, Wilde's oouDßel withdrew from the case. Wilde himself left the Court while his counsel was explaining that the plaintiffs literature and letters justified the plea of the defence that Wilde posed as an immoral person. He explained that the reason he withdrew from the case was so as to avoid the appalling evidenoe which would be adduced. The verdict was received with loud cheers. It is expected that Wilde will be arrested on a warrant which has been applied for, bub counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry has sent the Public Prosecutor a statement of. the witnesses, and notes on the evidenoe, in order to prevent a miscarriage, of justice.