PERJURY CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1927, Page 1

PERJURY CHARGE

AGAINST POLICE SERGEANT. INVERCARGILL, July 8.

A ease of more than ordinary interest. involving Senior-Sergeant Seandrett (late of the Invercargill police, and now of Westport), in a charge of alleged perjury, occupied the attention of Mr .1. IF Dixon. S.M., in the 'Magistrate’s Court all to-day. ’j hc case arose out of an information privately laid by Patrick Cairns, retired land agent, of Dunedin, charging Seaiidrett that he committed perjury Fv falsely swearing the following statement : "Prior to December, 192-5, f had no interest, direct or indirect, in any claim held by Cairns, and 1 have never seen an option that be held. I never purchased from him any interest in those options, and I have never aeipiired any interest in any ol them. The statement was made in n ease in which Annie Seaiidrett claimed the sum of £ls;} 2s 5d money allegedly lent to the defendant, Patrick Cairns. The case wa.s conducted as a private prosecution before Mr Dixon, as the local .Magistrate (Mr G. would lie called upon to give evidence during Hie ease. .Mr Eustace Russell appeared on behalf of the prosecution, and Air A. C. Hanlon, of Dunedin, appeared for the accused. Tn outlining the fads of the case. Mr Russell said that the information was issued hv Patrick Cairns, arising from the evidence given in the case in which Mrs Scandrctt. proceeded against Cairns. Scandrctt paid Cairns the sum of £6O for the purchase of a half interest in mining operations on properties at Kakahn. near Timaru. The money paid by Scandrctt was for iiis share in the partnership, and not money lent. Evidence was taken, and the depositions of the witnesses typed. Both Scandrctt and his wife, alter they had been sworn, read over the .statements and signed them. The ease was adjourned to March, when Blake, an engineer. was heard, and (lie case was non-suited.

The principal evidence considered, said counsel, was a nittnlier of letters signed by the accused, which showed that the accused had very material interests in the claim in question. Tn 1922 Cairns was tlio holder of two or three options on the property mentioned and had procured samples of limestone, marble, coal, and copper. When lie saw Seandrett the latter expressed keen interest and said that lie would very much like to get in with him (Cairns). Seandrett said that ho. did not mind going in as a partner if it was not too stiff, lie was in pay £69 and half Hie cost of development, and stated that- lie was ready io enter in. Cairns ran off a short agreement and asked Scandrctt to read it and sign it. Cairns left the agreement with Scandrctt- and lmd not seen it since. When he, asked for it the accused kept putting him off. He stated that be had plenty of money. £3OO in debentures, and plenty besides. Blake then went up to the properties with Seandrett's full consent to prospect and test further. The accused also wont up and wont thoroughly into the whole position.

Some time later. continued Air Russell,, they deoijded That a company should lie formed, and arrangements were made to have the provisional shares ol "The Kakahu Limestone Company, Ltd..” set out. These documents were prepared and wore sent to the accused, who paid the account, which was directed to the company, care of the accused. A meeting of shareholders was held in Invercargill, when a. number were present. It: was proposed that a company oi £20,00(> should he Moated in May. Cairns was not satisfied with I lie way tilings were going, and met Scandrett and asked him to give him (Cairns) a complete list of what had been paid out. stating that he would undertake to buy Scandrett out. The accused wrote several letters to Cairns quoting "our mining interests at Kaolin." ‘‘options which we hold." and referring to himself as “a partner in it business concern." all in connection with this partnership. A police enquiry was hold at Invercargill, but the proceedings of ihe present action did not take place until several months later. Subsequently a meeting of direc. tors was hold at Timaru and Scandrett telegraphed up to the effect that he was not able to go but giving authority to Mrs Scandrett to act for hint.

The bulk of the correspondence was used and read before the accused in the police enquiry, added counsel, and it was not possible that he was not fully cognisant and aware of them. In the Lower Court they had the astounding colus'ul impudence to swear that the letter' were dictated by Mrs Scandretl for the reason that lie did not like Cairns and did not want to have anything to do with him. Air Russell then read a large number of letters from the accused to Cairn* v.iih reference to their association in the mining venture, and contended that the statement referred t'> was false, and knowingly lalse. Evidence was given hy Cairns. Air Hanlon then addressed the Court at length making a strong appeal that there was no ease. Accused pleaded not guiltv and wit' committed to the Supreme Court for trail.