ALLEGED LIBEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12410, 30 August 1918, Page 6

ALLEGED LIBEL.

A NAPIER ACTION

[Pur Press Association.] NAPIER, August 29,

Great public interest' was taken today in a libel action at tho Supremo Court, J. V. Brown, M.P. (Sir John Findlay, K. 0.,) against G. W. Venables and Mulvanah, for alleged libel. The defendants were represented by Mr C. P. Skerrot't, K.O. i ' The statement of claim by plaintiff was as follows:—(1) On tho ninth day of May, 1918, at Napier and elsewhere in tho Dominion of New Zealand defendants published in a newspaper called the “ Haw’ko’s Bay Observer,” the following words concerning plaintiff : —■" What wo have pointed out we unhesitatingly state is a mean and despicable piece of dirty work from pur point of view. John Vigor Brown, M.P., has proved himself to be a usurper, prevaricator and a' public representative in Parliament discredited as such both in the people’s Parliament and out of it. Tho proof is all tho more conclusive, inasmuch that it comes from his own mouth in Parliament.' (2) The publication was false and malicious. (3) Therefore plaintiff prays (a) tho sum of £5Ol as damages; (b) such further and other relief as to this honourable Court shall seem meet; (c) the costs of this action iho defence pleaded fair comment. r ■ - Brown was an unsuccessful candidate for tho Mayoralty at last election. Mulvanah is a. borough councillor and proprietor of a. small weekly paper, the “Observer,” and Venables is 'tlie printer publishing the paper. Witnesses called to-day included tho town clerk (W. Murray), secretary of the Patriotic Society (B. I). Ailderson), J. . Brown, H. Hill (tho present Mayor), and tho group commander (Major Rmgland). The evidence dealt with the finances and methods of tho iSapier Patriotic Society and its relaIwr ■^'V' or and councillors. I iainufl was severely cross-examined by Mr Skcrrett on bis speeches in Parliament, his attitude to the Germans in them, and his general relation to movements in tho town. The case will be continued to-morrow.