A LIBEL ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 102, 13 June 1900, Page 2

A LIBEL ACTION.

PBS PBBSS ASSOCIATION. Wellington, June 12. The Supreme Court is engaged over a libel action for £IOOO damages brought by T. V. Byrne, barrister, of Kumara, against the Auckland Observer, based on a paragraph in that paper commenting on Byrne's connection with the assault on two charwomen. At last session venue was changed from Hokitika to Wellington. The paragraph complained of said that Byrne ( would appear to be rather a gay Lothario when he got away from his own bailiwick, and spoke of his attending entertainments of a Bacchanalian character, accused him of jostling the charwomen in rather a rough manner, and suggested that if Kumara wished to keep its reputation it ought to keep its fleet-footed mayor at home. This, plaintiff contends, is an accusation of being a bad character, of being intoxicated, gu ; lty of conduct unbecoming bis profession, of perjury and assault. Notwithstanding that he was acquitted by the Magistrate, he has been greatly injured in credit and reputation in consequenoe. For the defence it is contended that no defamatory meaning attached to the words, which are fair comment, in good faith and without Malice, upon the actions and conduct of ! the plaintiff, which were matters of public interest. It is alleged that the words are true in substance and fact, f and defendants deny that plaintiff hue i been gre&Uy prejudiced or injured. Later, The libel action Byrne v. the Observer proprietors was not concluded tonight when the Court rose.