EXPLORER SUES “DAILY EXPRESS.'

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18385, 10 February 1928, Page 10

EXPLORER SUES “DAILY EXPRESS.'

MITCHELL-HEDGES CLAIMS DAMAGES FOR ALLEGED LIBEL. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, February 8. Mr F. A. Mitchell-Hedges, the explorer, is' claiming damages from the “Daily Express” for libel allegedly contained in a report to the effect that the hold-up of Mr Hedges on January 15, 1927, was a hoax and a publicity enterprise. Mr Hedges detailed the adventure and denied., previous knowledge of the attack. Mr W. A. Jowitt, K.C., sharply crossexamined him as to whether he was a real explorer of the British bull-dog treed or a “newspaper stuntist/’ Questioned regarding his war record, Mr Fledges said that he volunteered for the Army, but was totally rejected. He also tried to enlist in America, bilt failed. Mr Jowitt questioned Mr Hedges regarding the latter’s claim that he discovered an unknown race in Panama, suggesting that the explorer did not know a word of the language, though he claimed to understand the meaning cf conversations of tribal chiefs. Mr Hedges admitted that the expenses of the expedition were paid by Lady Richmond Brown, and that he was bankrupt in 1911. Mr Jowitt: “I started by pointing out the distinction between two types of explorers—the one who tells of his adventures modestly and in a scientific manner, and the other who has bogus adventures and publicity stunts. You see why I am asking these questions?” Mr Hedges: “Oh, Ves.” The hearing was adjourned.

Mr Frederick Albert Mitchell-Hedges, F.R.G.S., F.L.S., F.Z.S., F.E.S., F.R.A.1., has done much deep-sea research work and exploration in the Central American republics, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. He has presented many hitherto unrecorded specimens to museums in Great Britain. The hold-up referred to in the libel action occurred almost immediately after Mr Hedges in a lecture had condemned modern young men for lack of enterprise, pluck and the spirit of adventure. A man appeared in front of Mr Hedges’s car and appealed to the occupants to take an injured man to hospital. The chauffeur accompanied the man, but when he did not return Mr Hedges and a companion followed and found him bound by ropes on the roadside. Immediately five or six men attacked them and a struggle ensued. Eventually the attackers ran off in the darkness. Later it was discovered that papers and specimens were missing from the car. Next day the papers were returned with a letter showing that the attack was a practical joke by half a dozen youths who resented the explorer’s remarks on modern young