A CURIOUS LIBEL CASE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IX, Issue 1495, 12 January 1885, Page 3

A CURIOUS LIBEL CASE.

A notworthy libei i-;.is" was l>egu:i in London On Novciiihsr 21. Fr.isik M-iutel Adams, a Lo wlou tiurister (who conducted hiso-vn ua-«o). 3ued Benuml Coleridge, sou of Losd Chi<-f Jjsuce {Joleridge. Ii» his opening spiv^-ii Adams stated that lie was enya^eii to a daughter of Jucl^jh Colcfiil^e ; that z'.w Jiulgo o'yectud to him for a sou m-la.v, and induced Bernard to write a lettetto his daughter lilielling him (Adams). "The youn^ lady tunied the letter over to her betrothed, and this led t> Ikt expulsion fro 'ii 1 her father's lionae,. and the expunging of her uaim' fro-n her father's will. Tn- dofend.iiifc entered the plea that the luttej..- wis i pci' i.'c; <1 communication. T.n-* leoC'-r written i>_ Bern ml Ooleridgi* So '»»s shfc ;r \vaviu-.-'> h<T t'la'i Adams was on ' to r ( ited by a desire to 'gain mon^y a.i..l positi )i. Adams had admitted (so the 1.-Ui-.r said) that h« considered Mi3s 0 »l ariose v > •of personal charms. Ad.v.ns' duiiii-d :all the statements in ■ iim-nanl latter, and said Bernard was ael.wt«il »by a desii'o to, get contiol of his sister's money, Adams contended that Bernard and his farther had thrust, th<rnarrigrt upon him. He was thrown much in the seciety of Miss Coletridge in a charitable institution, of which he was secr'etai'y and she wag a member. At that time he had no idea of marrying He was much astonished when he rece'ive'i l a letter frc-iii Lor/l Odleriili^i* breaking off -the engagement. Tlie ■Judge ruled these statements mail nia sible, to which Adams replied in th.it ■case, lie might as well throw up his brief. The' case.' was ''resumed on Nov. mbeL-

22, ftda&il\ continuing his opening remirks. Hn "Had much affection for Miss Coleridge imt he had no thought of marrying h«r. A.ttonioy General ■James sehinitted that tlie jil.iintiff had no' case', and must he, nonsuited. The Julian 'ruled Bji'uard'a letter was a ■pi'ivere^ed communication, and Adams in oi'd<;r to • miiiitaiu his case, in us prove express malice or dwii.ui<?iny on tlie , part of Bernard. He decided to leave the case to the jury, ivaeiviu;^ to himself, , however, the right to decide the action on a point of law in case the. verdict was 'not 'warranted l>y the 'evidence., Adams"*coiitiniied his state 'iteiits; and said he and Mia* Coleridge "wnre now r«dolved to <{et in irried. The. <;ase was sulunitted to Lt»*- jury, who, after 'Some deliberation, brought in* verdict for plaintiff of L 3.000. The Jud'.£e.. overruled tha, verdict, and gay« JudgniHnt for d)l«ridge with costs.