MELBOURNE LIBEL ACTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2590, 26 August 1909, Page 5

MELBOURNE LIBEL ACTION.

ALLEGED TAMPERING WITH A

JURYMAN.

DEFENDANTS WITHDRAW FROM THE CASE. United PiiKflß Association—Copthigiit. MELBOURNE, August 25. In the libel action Swinburne v. the “Age” newspaper the defendants have withdrawn from the case owing to certain conversations having occurred between a lawyer’s clerk and a juryman. The Judge decided to go on with the case in the absence of defendants, holding that there was nothing to make him dissatisfied with the jury’s fitfiess to try the case. VERDICT FOR PLAINTIFF. HEAVY DAMAGES. (Received August 25, 9.5 p.m.) The jury awarded Mr. Swinburne £3250 damages in his action for libel against the “Age.” THE JUDGE’S SUMMING UP. STRONG COMMENTS.

(Received August 26, 12.25 a.m.)

Justice Hodges, summing up in the Swinburne case, said that if public men of high standing could, whether there was foundation for the attacks or not, be spoken of by a newspaper as the plaintiff had been, public life would become unbearable. Out of it must go every one who felt self-respect. It would be !«ft to those of no character and no self-respect. At the same time, it was equally important that the press should have free scope for criticism.