The Whitaker Hutchison Libel Action.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 559, 20 January 1891, Page 2

The Whitaker Hutchison Libel Action.

’Special to Standard" Wsllinoton, last night. Tbs Whltcker-Huiclimou libel >a set down tor February 3, but is not lively to begin on ihat date.

Tho Wanganui Herald farnishee the follow lowing information regarding the proceedings of tho Auckland Commission in the Whitaker-Hutchison libel oases The flrac day w»a taken up by witnesses oallod by the plaintiff 10 prove pub tcation in Auckland, and was merely formal. The rest of last week was devoted—often late into the night—to the examination of bank officials. A certain appropriateness attached to the place of meet iug. It was in the spacious hull, nne'y decorated and handsomely appointed, which had been used (before the transfer a few months ago of the head office to Loudon) for the meetings of the Board of Directors. It was the room in which some of the trausac tions had beon planned and matured which were last week under investigation by a different tribunal. The question of whether the proceedings should be open to the public Was considered when the Qommi-sion opened, dr Hutchison desired that tbe proceedings should ba open to the press and ths public. Mr Cooper objected, The Commissioners considered that in tbs absence of consent they bad no aliernative but to declare them closed to both press and public. Sir Frederick Whitaker was summoned and called as a witness on the second day by Mr Hutchison, but Sir Frederick refused to be swoin or to give evidence. The Commissioners, having no power to enforce obedience to their summons, granted, ou tbe application ot Mr Hutchison, a certificate of tne fact tbat Sir Frederick Whitaker had refused to give evidence. This, in tbe ordinary course, will be filed in the Supreme Court, and may be the basis of other proceedings. The Herald understand! that Mr Hutchison is more than satisfied with the result of tbe evidence taken, which will now be forwarded, wjth a mass of dooummts adduced in evidence, to the Supreme Court in Wellington, but to remain unused until the trial.