MISS ROBINSON’S CONFESSION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 384, 29 February 1908, Page 4

MISS ROBINSON’S CONFESSION.

Grave Reflections. London, February 26. Sir Charles Mathews, at Bow Street, read Miss Robinson’s voluntary confession, gravely reflecting on persons not before the Court, and detailing how she was tempted to give evidence by the promise of if she would do as she was told. The confession alleges that in 1906 a man calling himself Druce, whom Hollamby afterwards declared to be bis brother William, visited Miss Robinson in Christchurch, and offered her firstly, to write an attractive book u£ all she knew about the Duke. He tried to induce her to say that Druce of the Bazaar was identical with the Duke. The object of the book was to raise money for legal expenses. The visitor urged her to say she came from America. She received pamphlets, she believed from Hollamby, and concocted ; the diary, for which she received She came to England. MrKimber met her on landing, and enquired for the diary. He urged her to slick to her tale, and stick to her gun s. Mr Kituber endeavoured to compel her to make statements based on the diary, but she said she never came to England to swear falsely, ouly/to raise money with the.diary., ■ • '. Mr Coburn wanted’ her to' swear about the lead coffin,, but she refused. • : The loss of the diary Was true. , She had no letters from the Duke, but two from Dickens, which she had Ipst. Messrs Kimber and Holloway tried to.dissyade her from confession, saying she would get seven years. The case has been adjourned for a week.