THREATENING LETTER TO THE PREMIER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 260, 7 November 1906, Page 5

THREATENING LETTER TO THE PREMIER.

AICKIN AGAIN BEFORE THE COURT. CHIEF-DETECTIVE GIVES EVIDENCE. AUTHORSHIP OF LETTERS ADMITTED. William Stevenson Aiekin, an Auckland sharebroker. was again before the Police Court this morning, on the charge of having sent a threatening letter to Sir Joseph Ward..

Mr S. Mays, of the Crown Solicitor's office, conducted the prosecution, and Mr MeVeagh defended the accused.

Chief-Detective Marsack said he arrested accused on a. warrant on October 22nd, in company with Detective Hollis, a-nd explained the charge to him. Accused answered, "Yes, that's right. I did send a letter to Ward." Witness then showed him the letter complained of, and said, "This is the letter you are charged with having sent to Sir Joseph Ward." Accused looked at it and said. "Yes, that's the letter I sent." Accused was then brought to the station, where the warrant and the letter was read to him. Accused said, "That's right. That's right." In accused's pocket was a pocket-book (produced) which contained what appeared to be a draft of a- letter on the same subject, addressed to Mr Churchill, Un-der-Secretary of State for the Colonies. It was on the same subject, the Maori lands policy.

Mr McVeagh: It is a, letter inviting the Under-Seeretary of State for the Colonies to disallow the bill.

• Cross-examined by Mr McVeagh, witness said accused had been in custody ever since his arrest. He had been a aharebroker in Auckland for a number of years past, and associate member of the Auckland Stock Exchange. Mr MeVeagh: Alw&3's been steady in his habits?— Witness: I do not know. My experience of him has only been for the last few weeks. His Worship: You cannot say, one way or the other?— Witness: No. Mr McVeagh: And as to his character?— Witness: I am not prepared to speak. James Hislop, private secretary to Sir j Joseph Ward, said the letter reached the Premier's office on October 18th. and was read by Sir Joseph Ward. The minute i on the back of the letter in the words "referred to the Minister for Justice" was in Sir Joseph's handwriting. Mr. McVeagh: That minute is not' evidence. It is hearsay. Mr. Mays: Witness identifies the handwriting. His Worship. It is evidence that the writing is Sir Joseph Ward's, but it is not proof of the accuracy of the minute. The usual formal charge was then read by the Clerk of the Court to the accused, who replied that he had nothing say. The Clerk then informed accused that the Court proposed to commit him for trial at the Supreme Court, and he could if he desired, plead guilty, but if he plerded guilty lie would not be allowed to withdraw the plea. Mr. McVeagh: On behalf of the accused I enter a plea of guilty. Hi? Worship (to the accusedV - - Do you accept that plea? Accused: Yes. > Mr. McVeagh asked that the accused should be released on bail. Mr. Mays said he would consent only if the conditions were made very substantial. The offence was a. very serious one, and the accused had been shadowed by the police for many months. In addition to substantial sureties he should ask for conditions that accused should not leave the province, and that lie should report himself daily to the police at 5 p.m. Mr. McVeagh: I accept the conditions, your Worship. Mr. Mays: I suggest that neither bond should be for less than £500. His Worship then formally committed ■ accused to the Supreme Court for sentence, and allowed him to bail in two sureties of £5fK) each, accused to undertake not to leave the. Province till after hi had been dealt with by the Supreme Court, and to report himself daily at the police station at 5 p.m. I Accused said he accepted the conditions. The bondsitien were Mr. J. M. Lennox and Mr. Graves Aickin.