Prosecution of Bank Officials

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 140, 16 May 1893, Page 4

Prosecution of Bank Officials

— «. Melbourne, May 5. The Police Court proceedings in connection with the prosecution of the directors and officers of the Mercantile Bank are still unfinished. Mr Panton, P.M., on taking his seat this morning, expressed his sorrow that the bench was not unanimous. The majority of the magistrates were in favour of the acquittal of all the defendants, but Mr McDonald, while agreeable that there should be an acquittal of all the defendants except Sir Matthew Davies and Mr Milledge, inBisted that a strong prima facie case had j been made out against these two. Mr McDonald then, on his own responsibility, proceeded to formally commit Sir Matthew Davies and Mr Milledge, when the accuseds' counsel applied for a postponement in order to consider whether evidence should be called for the defence. Mr McDonald said the request was a reasonable one, and consented. Mr Walsh, on. behalf of the Crown, then called attention to the second charge against the defendants, of concurring in the publication of a false balance-sheet. When the summons was read it transpired that Milledge's name was not on it, a separate aummons having been sworn against him owing to his absence in England. Mr Gaunson pointed out that the summons against Milledge had never been filed in Court. Couuflel for the ac« cused all made strong appeals to the Crown to withdraw the second charge, but Mr Walsh absolutely refused, and the case stands adjourned till Monday. — Post. __ __