AN ALLEGED LIBEL.

Wairarapa Age, 9 December 1921, Page 5

AN ALLEGED LIBEL.

COUNTY CLERK AGGRIEVED. A PUBLIC CONTRACT. Hamilton, Dec. B.—ln the Supreme Court Peter Mora, clerk to the Waitomo County Council, sued John Edward Hamill, proprietor of the “King Country Chronicle,” for £4OOO for alleged libel contained in the following words:—

‘‘But'what will astonish the public is the fact that the successful tenderer, ,P. Mora, sat at the Council table in the capacity of county clerk and actually took part in the discussion. Why was he not asked to retire? Was it not obvious to the Council that by allowing him to sit there he was unconsciously letting it be said that he was exercising a moral influence in favour of his own interests?” A later article said: “We contend that if the public had been told the full facts there would certainly have been more tenders, and yet Mora asked the public to believe that he wanted to create competition. This is mere balderdash and an insult to the public understanding. The Waitomo County Council meets to-day, and ratepayers will be interested to see whether Mora will be allowed to complete the cash sale on his own terms, and whether steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of transactions of this sort.” The defendant admits publication, but claims that the statements referred to do not bear the meaning which plaintiff attributes to them, that they are statements of fact, and fair and honest comment made in good faith in the interests of the ratepayers and without malice.—(P.A.)