A PATERNITY CASE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2100, 7 June 1907, Page 3

A PATERNITY CASE

A CHARGE OF PERJURY

I’ross Association. AUCKLAND, last night. A well-dressed young man, named Frederick "William Lucas, was charged boforo Mr. Justice .Deunist'on, at tha Supromo Court criminal sittings, with having committed porjury at the Magistrate’s Court at Pukekoho on March 7tli and Bth. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was defendant in a paternity case heard at Pukekoho, and in giving evidence, sworo that at no tiino had he been alone with plaintiff, Eva Hart, and was not called to Hart’s , gate on August Bth, 1906, by Nellie llart, but went there of his own accord. These statements were in contradiction to witnesses for plaintiff and were the subjects of the charge. Accused swore to these statements on March 7th, and repeated them next: day, when he was cautioned and examined by plaintiff’s solicitor. Eva Hart, agod 17, deposed that on February Ist, 1906, she was alone with accused whom she mot when she was returning from the railway station, about two miles from her home. As to the incident at the gate of th.i house witness said Lucas did not come voluntarily. Sho saw him passing the house and requested her sister to run out and shout to him to stop. This was done, and witness had a conversation with accused ihout her trouble. The first- remark made by Lucas was: “"What do you want mo for?” Nellie Hart, sister of the last witness. corroborated the previous witness’s statement. Accused denied the charge and called a number of witnesses with a view to proving an alibi. The jury, however, found him guilty. Sentence was deferred till to- morrow.