Leonard Harper.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 135, 6 December 1895, Page 2

Leonard Harper.

THE SECOND TRIAL. (Per Press Association). CaßisTCHuacH, Dec. 5. The bearing of the second ease against Leonard Harper was commenced in the Supreme Court this morning. In it he was charged with having in the year 1891, then being agent for William Hotham, unlawfully converted to his own use the sum of £3000, entrusted to him by Hotham. A special jury was chosen, six of whom served on the previous case. It was stated for the prosecution that Hotham between 1885 and 1887 had sent j-3000 to the firm of Harper and Co. to be invested. The firm represented that the money was invested on mortgage of the Springfield Coal Co. This security was subsequently mortgaged to Union Bank by the firm to secure an advance of £8000. The firm had by false accounts misled Hotham as to the investment of the money. The prosecution called Edward Parkenson, who gave evidence as to the conduct of the firm's business similar to that given by him in the previous case. Counsel for the defence objected frequently to the admission of letters, the identity of which were not proved. His Honor was not prepared to reject the evidence. Alexander Miller, George William Thomas, Inspector Pender, S. Hallamore, C. A. Bradley, A. M. Ollivier, and L. L. Greenwood, also gave evidence on behalf of the prosecution. An application by Mr Skerrett to charge the sixteen counts of indictment to unlawful conversion of memorandam { of mortgage was granted. ] This closed the case for the Crown. From 4.45 to 5.40 the Court was engaged in argning points of law raised by Sir Robert Stout. The Court then adjourned till next day.