POLICE COURT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 98, 23 April 1903, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

WBONB9DA.T, 22hd Apbid.—Before Mr R. L. Stanford, ij.U ALLEGED PKRJDRT. Arthur Robert Brandon, on remand, was charged with committing perjury in (hs case of Rex v. W. Smith, heard at the Us!; Supreme Oourt sessions here, 'in which the was charged with tbe murder of G iorge Thomas lace, and wis acquitted by the jury. In that case Brandon gave evidence for the proseoution. The alleged parjury wae contained in that part of his evidence in which he staged thithe was in New Plymouth all day on 11th December, whereas two wi'nesses for t.'ne defence swore that he was at Hone\ field's farm, some 13 miles from New Plymouth, between 3.30 and 3.45 pm. on llch December. M> Kerf (Standisa and Kerr) appetrtd to prosecute. The accused was not defended by counsel. Mr Kerr called,

A. H. Holmes, Djputy R gistrar of the Supreme Oourt, who gave formal evidence that Brandon was a witness for the prosecution in the case Rex v. Smith, and that be was sworn ia the usual way.

Robert George Party, who reported the Supreme Court sessions for the j Herald, gave evidenoa that Bracd>n stated he was in town on 11th Decern- 1 ber, and that he denied being at Honeyfield's farm on that afternoon. Witness gave details of Brandon's statements while in the box. Brandon stated he did not reach Honeyfield's till 2.45 on 12th D-oembor.

Sergeant Haddreli corroborated the previous witness as to Brandon's statements

Edward B at, a farm hand employed at Honeyfield's in December last, gave evidence that Brandon also worked there. He remembered B -andon going to New Plymouth on D.-cumber 10th, and returning to Honeyfield's about 3.30 or 345 on December 11th.- He ' give full details of conversations with | Brandon, and Brandon's movements on the afternoon and evening of December 11th.

W. Staite, landlord of the Oakun Hotel, gave evidence that Brandon called at bis hot 4 between 1 and 2 p.m. on Dc'csmber 11th on his way home, and returned a spur he had borrowed i when ridiog into town on the previous day. ' W. Honeyfield gave evidence that Brandon was home on the afternoon of Dumber 11th, and after milking bad i his tea.

' This was the evidence for the prosecution.

The Court adjournei and resumed at 2 o'clock. . The accused in answer to the usual, formula pleaded not guilty, and elected to mako a statement.

He stated that he went to Honeyfind's on th 9 af'ernoon of Deoember 11 sb, milked, and had tea. About 8.30 p.m., when B -st was asleep, he left the whare and took the horse he had ridden home that day, and rode to Moturo«, to a spot where he had left a bicycle the previous day. He then rode into town to keap an appointment, and then rode down to Moturoa to watch th fishing ne's to see who was fi :h from them. He watched there Rome tima and left near midnight tor Honej fi ild's, taking the horse with him, He admitted he made certain statements in the Supreme Court, but explained that he was cmfused through his family affairs being brought up i crosa-exanaination. He did not te' the correct story in the Supreme Court, as he bad taken the horße on the nigh of December 11th without Mr Honeyfield's consent. He also called, Ernest Griffith", who. in answer t-> questions, said he could not fix tbe dates December 10th and 11th by vis t that Brandon had made to bis plaoe of business.

J. W, Sycamore, fish-silesman, give evidence that he engaged Brandon to watch the fishing nets. He could not say that BraqJon was at Moturoa on the evening of December 11th, the night on which Ince's tent was burnt and the man was injured. ! His Worship committed accused for trial at the Supreme Court sessions in September. His Worship said ha would allow bail in two 6u e'iis of £SO each.