CHARGE WITHDRAWN.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144131, 28 June 1913, Page 3

CHARGE WITHDRAWN.

AGAINST NATIVE CLERGYMAN. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, Juno 27. At the Supreme Court to-day, before Mr. Justice Cooper, a claim of £5Ol damages for slander was brought by Wi Paraire, a Native clergyman, against' Meretene To Ariki Huka, a Native woman of Mihaka, who had stated that the clergyman was the father of_ the child of To Wai, an unmarried Native woman. Tho case came to a satisfactory conclusion, the charge being unreservedly withdrawn. His Honour announced that tho charge was being withdrawn, and made tho following note: “Mr. Blair, solicitor for the defendant, at this stage withdraws tho plea of justification, and admits that the plaintiff is not tho father of tho child of Te Wai, and expresses tho defendant’s regret that she made the statement and that until the evidence was given today, she honestly believed it, but now is satisfied that it was not correct, and freely and voluntarily withdraws it. Mr. Barnard (solicitor for tho plaintiff) accepts this apology and withdrawal, and by consent of both parties, the case is withdrawn and struck out without costs.” '