The Conspiracy Cases.

Manawatu Herald, 21 July 1898, Page 2

The Conspiracy Cases.

THE CHARGES DISMISSED.

Mi- K-ony, S.M , delivered a Ivruluy written judgment on W d ae day rooming in the case in which Cbikettg, Armiahaw, and T. E T*yl>r were charged with counsel. . ling and procuring a breach of the fiitvnsin? Act. II- sa'd he would not deal with h n difficult points raised by Sir Kob rt Stout, as he had decided to dismiss the charge on other grounds, nmrly, the general unreliability of the evidence given by Chekett? and Armishaw as to their alleged visit to certain hotels in prohibited hours. There was no certain proof that Cuokt'tts or Armishaw ever entered the Princess Hotel on Sunday night in question, and for ought *he (K-nny) knew they may have told i their story merely to amuse Taylor, i md in the hope, perhaps, of getting some reward. He could not accept their uncorroborated testimony «■ against Taylor's. Mr Kenny said he did not think it was a case in which costs should be allowed for the defence a? the defendants brought the whole trouble on themselves, and the oharge was h? direct consequence of the questionable methods to which they had recourse. The best interests of th^ country and every individual in it demanded that tho Courts of thifr colony should follow the example set in England, America, and Australia and do all that in them lies to mark their sense of the evils which must follow from employment by private organisations and private individuals of spies and informers to decoy others^ into the commission of crime.