CONCERNING SURETIES.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1917, Page 1

CONCERNING SURETIES.

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO ABSCOND. William Duiiphy (Mr Joyce) was charged oil at the Greymout-li Magistrate’s Court yesterday with attempting to-abscond while on bail on an indictable offence. Mr Joyce said the accused liad been arrested on a warrant issued on the information of George Webster, one of the sureties. A plea of not guilty was put in. Mr Joyce stated he had mada enquiries from the police at Wellington end found there... was nothing to suostantiate the allegation by informant ■'that the accused attempted to abscond by an American host. George Webster stated lie had had occasion to go to Wellington about j*ocembor lfitli last. Two days after he landed m Wellington a proprietor of a business place (Mr Galvin) told witness that he had a narrow escape of losing his bail, Galvin adding that he got his information from Detective Nixon

of Grcymouth). Witness, twd or three days later, saw Detective Nixon, who stated that the accused haa been challenged going to a ’Frisco boat. -Accused had said he was going to see «, friend. Witness said it was freely stated in Wellington that the accused intended to abscond. A condition of tuo hail was that accused report to the police at regular intervals and that lie go as far as Nelson only. Witness considered that accused, in going to Wellington, had broken faith with his bondsmen. Witness tried on several occasions to see nccussed at Wellington, Lut in this he failed. ’ . to Mr Joyce: Witness did not go to the police and say that Dunphy was about to leave by a ’Frisco boat. The incident happened before witness went to Wellington. To iu's Worship: Witness henesuy believed that accused attempted to abscond. -

Maurice Fitzgerald, one of the bondsmen, said the* proceedings were taken with his consent and knowledge, and that he desired to be relieved of his

bond for reasons stated by Mr Webster. Dunphy had stated lie would report to the bondsmen every 24 hours, and haa promisor that lie would not go further north than Nelson. ,In going to Welington 3 h© had violated his undertaking-

E. M. Sheedy, also" a bondsman, stated that one of the conditions on ’which he had acted was that the accused report himself daily to the police. It was on account of accused giving’ family reasons that the bondsmen had Consented to his going to Nelson. 'Mr Joyce submitted that there was insufficient evidence. If the bondsmen were dissatisfied, he proposed to find fresh sureties. . . The accused was remanded till Monday next to allow of fresh bondsmen being found.