CASE OF OLIPHANT HUGHES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 991, 5 December 1910, Page 6

CASE OF OLIPHANT HUGHES.

— ; — "SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE * Dnring the debate on the vote for tho compensation of. Mr. J. J. Meikle at

Saturday morning's sitting of tho House, Mr. Hogan referred to the casa of Oliphant Huprhes, in Wanganui. Ho was fully convinced, and so were many people in Wanganui, that that man was iniioccnt. Specialists in London were quite satisfied that Hughes never signed the share certificates and never transferred his shares. He could not understand why a new trial should not be granted. If the Judgo had not said: that if Hughes was not guilty another respectable man in Wanganui would havo to go. to gaol, ho doubted if Hughes would , have been convicted. Hughes's people had asked him to return to England and live there, but lie had decided to remain in New Zealand with tho objcct of clearing his character. Mr. Massey said ho also was convino. Ed that Hughes was innocent and the Government' should do something in tho matter. The Prime Minister said ho also had the belief that Hughes was innocent, bnt tho difficulty was to bring in general legislation that would apply to such cases. , Mr. Hogan (Wanganui) moved tho ■reduction of a vote by £5 as an -indication that tho Government -should introduce legislation to provide for the right of appeal in such cases as that of Oliphant Hughos. Mr. Wilford said ho was fully conversant with the facts of the case, and ho could assnro tho Houso that Hughea was quite innocent. Tho vote was reduced on tho voices. Sir Joseph Ward said ho approved of the decision of the House. -- Mi-. Hogai; afterwards moved to add to the Appropriation Bill a clause enabling Oliphant Hughes to obtain a new trial on. the charge of perjury on which ho was convicted.. . ~ Mr. Anderson thought that wWo the House was acting generously, 'it should'-.' provide for compensation for the relatives of tho deceased man Aiidorstm who was wrongfully convictcd of manslaughtor on tho West Coast. . •-' Sir Joseph Ward opposed tho clanso on tho ground that to ho. workaWo a J Bill of several clauses would be aeoes sary. - ■ Tho clauso -was Tejectcd- onvftQ.-ro&cgJ