AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2853, 25 October 1890, Page 2

AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT.

(IIV TKI.KCISAIMt. —IMIKSS ASSOCIATION). Wki.i.ixuton, Lust Nisht. I.\" Banco to-day Mr <fuatico Kdwards delivered judgment on the motion to have Mr hi. A. Mutrcjan, of thy Woodville Kxiiniitic.r, committed for contempt of Court for publishing the evidence taken before the Waste Lands Committee ill the case Sowry v. Hawkes Hay Land Hoard. He said the whole case for determination was the bare point of law as to whether the defendant hoard had power, ander the provisions "f the Land Act, ISS.'i, to hold the proposed enquiry, and it was ecpially plain that the determination of this point of law could in no way be affected by re-pnblica-tion by Hawaii of tlio evidence Riven before the Waste Lands Committee. Plaintiff had therefore completely failed to establish the grounds upon which he moved against Haggan. In short the Court was asked to punish Hassan for publishing matter which was wholly immaterial to the suit, lie had no doubt that the publica. tion of this matter, apart from its bearing ill the. present suit, wa.s priveliged under the Parliamentary l'riveleges Act, 18(!."i, but he felt satisfied that by the publication of the evidence no right, of the plaintiff had been infringed, and the motion must there* fore be dismissed with ten guineas costs.