PERJURY?

Patea Mail, 21 October 1880, Page 2

PER JURY?

A i■ i.Ai-'iaxt in a civil action was committed for perjury at the Patca R.M. Court on Tuesday, It is a pitiful case, and if the prisoner Averc not already committed to take his trial, avc should consider it a public duty to call attention to the moral aspect of this alleged crime. Michael McCarthy, laborer, had a horse which he left Avith Dennis Carroll, then landlord of the Manutahi Hotel. McCarthy says he left it to graze, and as security for a debt of about £G, After several months, he commenced proceedings to recoA'er the value of the horse. A receipt avos produced in Court slioaving that the defendant had purchased the animal for £l7. The receipt Avas repudiated by the claimant as not being signed by him. He Avrotc his signature in Court to slioav that ho could sign a document. The defendant explained that the claimant, before starting aAvay by coach then at the door, had commenced to write his signature to the receipt, and Avroto Ale, hut then told the defendant to sign for him, as he AA’as not a good Avritcr. Defendant Avrotc plaintiff’s name, and plaintiff added “his mark.” A Avitncss also swore he Avas present, and his name Avas on the receipt as Avitness. Upon this evidence, the claimant lost his case ; and he Avas committed for trial and taken into custody for alleged wilful ami corrupt perjury. The Magistrate remarked that it Avas drink-perjury, anti that it was gross. The Magistrate said he would have pleasure in committing him for perjury. The question for a jury will he Avhether the man Avas or Avas not clearly cognisant of all the details in selling the horse—whether lie Avas not so hazy from drink as to have a muddled recollection of the Avholo business. Comment at this stage would ho out of place.