THE LILLYWHITE CASE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 July 1901, Page 3

THE LILLYWHITE CASE.

Payment of Compensation.

Attitude of the Government

Tlie case of Charles Lillywhite was brought under the notice of the Government in the House of Representatives yesterday Mr John Hutcheson, who asked the Minister of Justice what steps he proposed to take to rehabilitate Lillywhite, wrongfully arrested for murder, and to compensate him for the mental and physical suffering he has been subjected to ?

The Hon. McGowan, Minister hr Justice, said that until lull particulars as to the cause of Lillywhite’s discharge and as to the action the Colchester police, whom the arrest was made have taken in the matter were received, he thought it would be premature to come to any decision. The brief cablegrams received merely stated that a largo number of witnesses failed to identify the prisoner as Bhtch, and that Lillywbite’s brother failed at first to identify him as Lill.vwbite. There could, he thought, be no doubt that the man was Lillywhite and not Blatcb, as he was surrendered mainly on the sworn testimony of two witnesses specially sent out for that purpose by the Colchester police, the responsibility far his detention in custody after the arrival of those witnesses in New Zealand and subsequent conveyance to England, mainly fell upon that force. He considered the presumption was that the Colchester police would, if they were satisfied the man was not Blatcb, make due reparation; if they did not, then it would be necessary for the Government to give the matter very careful consideration, and ho had no doubt they would endeavour to do everything that was fair in connection with this unfortunate individual. In the meantime it was not far them to take immediate action until they had the whole facts before them and were able to go fully into the matter.

Mr Hutcheson intends to ask that the carrespondenee on the subject should be laid on the table.