A CONSPIRACY CASE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), 16 February 1883, Page 3

A CONSPIRACY CASE.

A rascally attempt to ruin an innocent girl has just been brought to light iv South Australia. The " Port Augusta Despatch ' writes as follows concerning the case : — " Residents in this town and in most other places in tho North will remember a stout elderly lite assurance agent named Charles Urqidiarl. He has the appearance of a •Jew. but was iv the habit of denying the soft impeachment; and in consequence of his humoroui narrations of his travels aud adventures he was a great favorite with the young men of tho towns where he travelled. He had been nearly everything by turns,

and claimed to be the first descriptive writer of prison life in the Australian public Press. It Avould appear that bis latest speculation was a marriage with a Miss Mundle, aged nineteen, residing close to Hawker, and AA-ho is, or will be, in possession of a considerable amount of Avealth. As Urquhart is already married, there Avas thus a very serious obstacle iv the Avay, so it is stated lie resolved to overcome it by employing a man named Edward Clayton to impersonate a clergyman, and to proceed to Hawker with a prayer-book to perform tbe ceremony. This Avas a risky proceeding, but not so dangerous as committing bigamy, for it is to be doubted Avherber the girl, even should she lurve in time found out that she had been deceived and Avas the A-ictim of a conspiracy, Avould have courted exposure by bringing her fancied husband to justice. But 'the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley." and ' Old Jack Falstafi',' as he was nicknamed, found such Avas the case Avhen Clayton, on the very day of marriage, brought a policemau to the would-be bridegroom, who Avas securely handcuffed. The party then went to the poor girl's house, when explanations ensued. He affects to treat the matter lightly, and says he will be able to 'explain.' The charge against him is conspiracy with intent to defile, and he has been remanded for production of Avituesses." Urquhart was committed for trial at the Quom Police Court, and Clayton, avlio gave the information against him, was discharged, but rearrested on a charge preferred against him by Urquhart.