Trial of Kirby.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 303, 29 June 1896, Page 2

Trial of Kirby.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, This Day. Kirby's case was resumed this morning. Philip Kippenberger, solicitor, Christcburcb, said he wrote on November sth, 1894, to the Commissioner of Police, enclosing a copy of a statement Hermann had made. On July 4th, 1895, he issued a writ against Kirby on behalf of Hermann for the recovery of £700 and a gold watch, yalued at £45. On July sth he went to Napier and saw the accused. The latter said the warrant against Hermann was made out by Higgins, and properly signed by a Justice of the Peace, but that it had not been recorded. He went to Hermann's shop with the warrant and, if a policemen had been present, Hermann would have been arrested. He could not do it himself as he was ill. Hermann went on his knees and said he would give him £1000 to let him go. Eirby told witness there was another case against Hermann, who had paid three sums of £300, £200, and £200. He had never handled the money himself. The witness detailed the negotiations with accused, which ended in the latter giving a mortgage for £1182, including interest. Kirby then handed him £200 in bank notes. Kirby also urged him to get Hermann to leave the colony, and wrote to the gaol withdrawing the charges against him (Kirby). He declined to do the latter, but discontinued the action. He informed Kirby that Hermann did not find it convenient to leave the colony. A large quantity of correspondence between the witness and Kirby was put in. j On the court adjourning at 1, Kirby laid an information for criminal libel against Mr Cassidy, manager, and Ashbolt, printer of the New Zealand Times on account of an article published on June 16, stating that Kirby had been in league with spielers running a gambling den in Wellington, in the profits of which he shared.